Ah, the office. It’s a fresh Monday morning, and you’re looking sharp. Smelling even better, from your head straight down to your fee- wait. Definitely not down to your feet.
Work shoe odor is natural and something many people don’t want to admit because of the shame surrounding it. Ever wanted to ease your feet out of your shoes under your desk when no one is looking but couldn’t because your shoe odor rivals a skunk’s? What about getting home and wanting to kick your shoes off immediately but stopping yourself because your family makes it known that it causes physical pain to smell your work shoes? Maybe you simply want the security of having pleasant-smelling work shoes.
These are all reasons you should know how to achieve fresh office shoes long after they’ve left the store, and we’re here to help you. Here’s an easy guide for fresh office shoes!
But first, why do my office shoes stink?
The root cause of shoe odor can be narrowed down to sweat. While it’s entirely natural for your feet to sweat in all types of shoes, shoes made of synthetic fibers will most likely increase your feet’s sweat levels resulting in awful shoe odor. However, even when sticking to leather and more breathable shoes, we’re all still susceptible to shoe odor.
According to experts, in rare cases such as Hyperhidrosis, where a person’s feet sweat more than usual, office shoe odor may be a more pressing issue or concern. If this is the case for you, be sure to consult your doctor to see what additional measures can be implemented.
A guide to fresh office shoes:
What you’ll need: Small container/bucket, white vinegar, baking soda, shoe powder, shoe deodorizer, cloth rag.
First and foremost, we strongly advise against wearing the same pair of office shoes to work five days a week, four weeks a month, all year round. Even the office shoes with the most seeming foolproof cleaning routine need a break sometimes to just air out. Two to three pairs is a good number, that way; you can rotate them comfortably. Additionally, depending on the type of office shoes you own, ensure to change your socks daily as no matter how clean your office shoes are, smelly socks will kill their mojo.
Deodorizing leather, patent leather and faux leather shoes:
You should never put leather shoes in the washer as this can potentially ruin them!
Step 1:
Pour half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of warm water in your small container to make a cleaning solution.
Step 2:
Dip a soft cloth in the cleaning solution, and gently wipe the dirt away from the exterior of your shoes.
Step 3:
Using the same cloth (damp), gently wipe the interior of your shoes.
Step 4:
Place the shoes in a well-ventilated area of your home and allow them to air-dry completely. Be careful not to expose your leather shoes to direct heat, as this may cause cracking or fading.
Step 5:
For added security, spritz this Extra Strength Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Shoe Spray in your leather shoes.
This Extra Strength Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Shoe Spray has over 10,000 5 star ratings on Amazon. It will effectively tackle your office shoe odor. It is infused with lemon and eucalyptus oils which directly combat odors. Not to mention it can be used as an air freshener all around your home and office!
Tea tree oil is another ingredient that aggressively fights shoe odor. If you’d like to explore different scents, feel free to try our Citrus Tea Tree Natural Shoe Spray and Lavender Tea Tree Natural Shoe Spray instead or alternately.
Step 6:
Good as new to wear again!
Deodorizing suede and sheepskin shoes:
We strongly advise using a shoe powder for suede shoes as it is crucial to keep suede dry. Our Lemongrass Shoe Powder is a great option. You can also use baking soda.
Step 1:
Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda in your suede or sheepskin office shoes. For more effective results, try our Lemongrass Shoe Powder. This shoe powder works effectively as it contains antiperspirants that reduce sweat, which causes shoe odor. It is also made of great ingredients for your skin, such as bentonite clay and zinc oxide.
You can also apply this foot powder directly to your feet before putting your office shoes on for added security.
Step 2:
Place your shoes in a well-ventilated area of your home overnight and allow the shoe powder to work its magic.
Step 3:
Good as new to wear again!
Additional tips and tricks to prevent office shoe odor:
- When taking your daily shower, ensure your feet are washed thoroughly. This includes the bottom of your feet and between your toes.
- If you’ve tried the methods above but still notice pronounced office shoe odor because of excessive feet sweat, consult with a podiatrist.
- For additional sweat absorption, try shoe inserts!
Shoe odor is embarrassing, and in any case, we can all agree that some of the last people we want to be embarrassed in front of because of our shoe odor are our co-workers. Try the methods outlined above to combat office shoe odor, and be sure to let us know if they work for you!