Do your colleagues grimace at the smell of your work boots? Are you struggling to peel off those sweaty shoes at day’s end? If you’re nodding along, this blog post has got just what you need.
Discover how to stop work boots from smelling and maintain a fresh and pleasant workspace for everyone involved.
Why Do My Work Boots Smell So Bad
No matter how much effort you put into cleaning and powdering your work boots, unpleasant odours seem to linger. The culprit behind this foul smell is bacteria thriving on moisture trapped in the boot’s material from excessive sweating. As sweat dries, it turns into a breeding ground for bacteria that emit unbearable stench.
To prevent unpleasant odours and the growth of bacteria, it is important to keep your boots dry and well-ventilated after each use. Consider using antibacterial agents like baking soda to eliminate any unwanted smells.
How to Keep Work Boots from Stinking
Below are 9 different methods to clean smelly work boots at home.
1. Clean Your Boots Regularly
Keeping work boots clean is crucial to maintain their overall quality. Cleaning them regularly with a shoe brush and applying leather cleaner or saddle soap can help remove stains and dirt. This helps keep the boots smelling fresh, making work more comfortable while also extending their lifespan.
If you own lace-up boots, it’s important to clean them regularly with warm water and soap. For fabric boots such as canvas, a gentle wash in mild detergent is recommended. Following these maintenance steps will help keep your work boots looking fresh and smelling great.
2. Sprinkle Baking Soda Overnight
An effortless and reliable solution for stinky work boots is to sprinkle baking soda overnight. The magical powder absorbs moisture and odour, putting an end to the bacteria’s foul play responsible for causing unwelcome odours.
Using baking soda for fresher boots is easy. Simply take a handful of baking soda and place it in some socks, then tuck the socks inside your boots overnight.
Wake up to freshly scented footwear! For an even more pleasant aroma, mix together cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder, plus a few drops of essential oil. Just be sure to dust out the excess before wearing your shoes again.
3. Use Dryel to Deodorize
Dryel is a fantastic solution for eliminating odours from your work boots. This innovative product utilizes fabric softener sheets that adeptly absorb light body odour, leaving your shoes smelling fresh and clean. With Dryel, you can enjoy footwear free of unpleasant smells, ensuring that
To simplify the process of using Dryel, just tuck the sheets in your shoes and let them sit overnight. This technique is both accessible and affordable, with a delightful fragrance to boot! While it does wonders for mild odours, deeper ones may require additional measures.
It’s crucial to maintain clean and dry work boots and change socks often. Try using baking soda to eliminate odour-causing bacteria by absorbing moisture.
4. Use Boot Dryers
Investing in a boot dryer is one solution to help keep work boots smell fresh. Boot dryers are often equipped to draw out moisture and eliminate odour-causing bacteria and fungi, making them handy for extended use. This persuasive measure helps maintain the pleasant fragrance of your work boots even after several uses.
5. Using Tea Bags
Tea bags can freshen up stinky work boots with the help of tannins, which are found in black tea and have bacteria-killing properties.
To eliminate odours, simply put two tea bags in each shoe overnight and let the tannins work their magic. In the morning, toss out the used bags for a quick and easy solution to smelly shoes. Enjoy your refreshed boots!
Tea bags are excellent at absorbing moisture, making them an ideal solution for removing bad odours from work boots. Leaving the bags inside your shoes will help pull out any dampness from the fabric or leather. Pair this method with regular cleaning to keep your boots smelling fresh and clean.
6. Try Essential Oils
Looking for a natural and effective way to keep your work boots smelling fresh? Essential oils might just be your answer! They have powerful antibacterial properties that can eliminate odour and leave behind a lovely, natural fragrance. Say goodbye to bad smells and hello to happy feet with the help of essential oils!
To eliminate odour from your boots, mix two teaspoons of baking soda with five drops of essential oil in a bowl. Sprinkle the mixture inside your boots and leave it overnight.
When you wake up, voila! Your shoes should smell better already. For an extra punch of freshness, add a few drops of essential oil to your boots before putting them on or after taking them off for prolonged results.
7. Wear Socks with Your Boots
Keeping your work boots smelling fresh starts with wearing the right socks. Moisture-wicking ones are an excellent choice since they absorb sweat and keep your feet dry. It’s also crucial to change them regularly to prevent bacteria buildup and odour.
8. Properly Store Your Boots
To keep your work boots clean and smelling fresh, it’s imperative to store them properly. Bacteria and moisture love dark places, making outdoor cupboards a big no-no. Instead, opt for a spot that is well-ventilated and dry to deter stinky situations.
To keep your shoes in top condition, make sure to take them out and replace the insoles and laces on a regular basis. It’s also important to allow wet boots to dry properly before storing them away for future use.
9. Give Your Boots a Break
After a hard day’s work, giving your boots a break is essential. Resting your footwear between uses helps them last longer and keeps them odor-free. You can accomplish this by rotating two pairs of boots whenever possible. Switching back and forth allows each pair to breathe and dry thoroughly before it’s worn again.
It’s a good idea to switch up your boots every day to maintain their quality and keep odours at bay. By alternating pairs, you’re preventing bad smells from forming while extending the lifespan of your favourite kicks.
Conclusion
There are several methods on how to keep boots from smelling. Keeping feet clean and dry, washing shoes and insoles, sprinkling baking soda overnight, using Dryel to deodorize, using boot dryers, using tea bags, trying essential oils, wearing socks with your boots, properly storing your boots can all be effective ways to keep work boots from smelling.
Taking a break from wearing your boots can be beneficial for both the cleanliness and freshness of your work footwear. By following these steps, you can easily maintain odour-free and clean boots.
FAQs
Why Do My Boots Smell Like Ammonia?
Sweat and ammonia are often the culprits behind smelly shoes. Some of the common causes include a protein-rich diet, exercising regularly, or having hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). By identifying the root cause of your smelly shoes
