Are your work boots causing you to stink up the office? Are your feet sweating so much that it’s hard to take your shoes off at the end of the day? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this blog post is for you! Learn how to stop work boots from smelling and keep you and your coworkers happy.
Why Do My Work Boots Smell so Bad
Sometimes, no matter how often you clean your work boots or how much powder you put in them, they still smell bad. The reason for this is usually because of bacteria buildup caused by moisture. When your feet sweat, the moisture gets trapped in the boot’s material and creates an environment that is conducive to bacteria growth. This bacteria then emits a strong odour.
To prevent this from happening, make sure to keep your boots dry and well-ventilated after each use, and try using antibacterial agents like baking soda to help eliminate any odours.
How to Keep Work Boots from Stinking
Below are 9 different methods to clean smelly work boots at home.
1. Clean Your Boots Regularly
Regularly cleaning your work boots is an essential step in keeping them fresh and smelling great. To do this, you should use a shoe brush to remove dirt and debris from the surface of your boots. After brushing, you can apply a leather cleaner or saddle soap to the outside to help further remove any remaining dirt.
Additionally, if your boots have laces, be sure to wash them as often as possible using warm water and soap. Finally, if your boots are made of canvas or other fabric, you can throw them in the washer with mild detergent. All of these steps will help keep your work boots looking and smelling their best.
2. Sprinkle Baking Soda Overnight
Sprinkling baking soda overnight is an easy and effective way to stop work boots from smelling. Baking soda absorbs odor and moisture, which helps to eliminate the bacteria that causes bad smells.
To use baking soda, simply take a handful amount of baking soda and pour it in a pair of socks. Insert the socks inside your boots and leave it overnight. Your boots will be fresher in the morning. Additionally, you can mix together one cup of cornstarch, ½ cup of baking soda, and ½ cup of baking powder in a bowl and add five drops of essential oil for a more pleasant scent. When you are done, be sure to dust out the baking soda before wearing your shoes.
3. Use Dryel to Deodorize
Using Dryel is a great way to get rid of odour in work boots. This product works by using fabric softener sheets to absorb light body odour.
To use Dryel, simply tuck the sheets into your shoes and leave them overnight. This method is convenient and affordable, plus it smells great! While Dryel is effective for light odours, it may not be as successful for deeper odours.
For this reason, it is important to keep your work boots clean and dry, as well as change your socks regularly. Additionally, baking soda can be used to absorb moisture and eliminate bacteria that causes odour.
4. Use Boot Dryers
One more solution to help keep your work boots smelling fresh is to invest in a boot dryer. Boot dryers are designed to draw out moisture, while also killing bacteria and fungi that cause odours. This is a great way to keep your boots smelling great even after extended periods of wear.
Be sure to clean your boots regularly, use baking soda overnight, and wear socks with your boots to get the maximum benefit from the dryer. With the right combination of these methods, you can ensure that your work boots will stay smelling fresh for longer.
5. Using Tea Bags
Tea bags may be the answer to stop work boots from smelling. Tannins, which are found in black tea, are very good at killing the bacteria that lives inside shoes. Put two tea bags in each shoe and leave them there overnight to let the tannins do their job. The next morning, throw away the used tea bags and enjoy your clean, fresh-smelling boots.
Tea bags can soak up a lot of water, so if you leave them in your shoes, they will pull moisture out of the fabric or leather. This makes them the best way to clean smelly work boots. Use tea bags along with regular cleaning to keep your work boots smelling clean and fresh.
6. Try Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great way to naturally deodorize your work boots and keep them smelling fresh. These oils are known for their antibacterial properties, and they can help to get rid of bad odors in a natural way. Plus, they leave behind a pleasant, natural smell.
Mix together two teaspoons of baking soda and five drops of your prefered essential oil. Just put the baking soda and essential oil in a bowl, mix them together, and then sprinkle the mixture in your boots and leave it there overnight. When you wake up in the morning, the smell should be different. You can also put a few drops of essential oil in your boots before you put them on and after you put them on.
7. Wear Socks with Your Boots
Wearing the right kind of socks with your work boots is an important step in keeping them smelling fresh. Moisture-wicking socks are a great choice as they help to absorb sweat and keep your feet dry. Additionally, you should consider changing your socks regularly to help prevent the buildup of bacteria and odour.
8. Properly Store Your Boots
It is important to store your work boots properly to help prevent the buildup of bacteria and unpleasant odours. Moisture and bacteria thrive in dark, damp locations, so avoid storing your work boots in outdoor cupboards. Instead, find a place that is well ventilated and dry.
Additionally, make sure to take them out and change the insoles and laces regularly to keep them fresh. Furthermore, if you’re wearing wet boots, allow them to properly dry before storing them away.
9. Give Your Boots a Break
After a long day at work, it’s important to give your boots a break. Allowing your boots to rest between uses helps them last longer and prevents them from becoming smelly. One way to do this is to alternate between two pairs of boots when possible. Switching between pairs allows each pair to breathe and dry out before being worn again.
Additionally, avoid wearing the same pair of boots two days in a row. This will help keep your boots in good condition and prevent the build-up of odour-causing bacteria.
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.
Additionally giving your boots a break from time to time can also be beneficial. By following these steps, you can help keep your work boots clean and free from foul odours.
FAQs
Why Do My Boots Smell Like Ammonia?
One of the most common causes of smelly shoes is sweat and ammonia. This can be due to a high protein diet, exercise, or hyperhidrosis.
