Guess how many sweat glands are there alone in your feet? Just for your knowledge, the number of sweat glands in your two feet is surprisingly more than any other part of your body.
This results in more perspiration and ultimately more bacteria. The bacteria that grow in our sweaty feet can actually make our boost stink. Yes, you heard it right!
But, to your relief; there are a number of ways to save yourself from the embarrassment of stinky boots. Using baking soda, alcohol, tea bags, baby powder, lemon peels are some of the quick fixes for your concern. Further down below we will know the correct methods for each.
I know when something like this happens, all you want to do is throw away your boots as soon as possible. But is it possible for you to buy a new pair of work boots for smelly feet every single day? No, right? Moving to a brand new pair does not solve the problem.
So; in this article, we will see the smart and simple ways to clean smelly work boots.
How can you Treat or Remove the Boot Odor?
What are you supposed to do to get rid of the smell that has already infiltrated your boots? The number of not so daunting techniques that you have to follow depends upon the level of stink.
So are you ready to follow some quick hacks to say goodbye to the odor? Let’s get started!
1. Use of Baking Soda in Work Boots
The classic baking soda is a very common household ingredient that works wonders. It is a natural deodorizer which not only absorbs but also neutralizes the smell.
How does it work?
Utilizing baking soda is the easiest task you can perform. Every day before going to bed, just mix some of it with the cornstarch and sprinkle this mixture in the work boots.
Just leave it overnight and wake up in surprise. Before wearing the boots just spill all the soda out of them. You can also use kitty liners daily and the smell won’t occur.
Another way to use baking soda is by filling half a cup of it in a sock. Remember to tie both the socks to avoid the leakage. Place them inside the boots for a complete night and the bad smell will be removed.
2. Teabags are an Effective Remedy for Smelly Boots
Most of us start our day with a cup of tea and end up discarding the teabag. Instead of throwing them away, you can use these teabags to eliminate the foul odor.
These multifunctional sacks act as disinfectants and contain Tannins that are highly functional against bacteria, the main reason behind that smell.
What is the method of using them?
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- First, boil the tea bags for approx 5 to 10 minutes.
- Take them out and allow them to cool for some time.
- Place the teabags in your boots.
- After 1 or two hours just remove them and wipe off the excess juice.
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3. Utilizing Dryer Sheets
If you have to wear your boots for longer hours then dryer sheets are a perfect solution for your deadbeat feet. By placing the sheets in the work boots one can keep the feet dry as these absorb all the sweat rather than transferring them to the insoles. Just put the sheets before going to work and throw them once the day is over.
Alternatively, you can put these fabric softener sheets in your boots overnight and let them neutralize the putrescent smell. In the morning, you will actually see the miracle done by these chemical-laden stink-stopping bombs.
4.) Applying the Baby Powder to Remove the Funky Scent
Baby powder can help keep the bad smell at bay. The product has got some great deodorizing properties and is available in a variety of pleasant scents which make the boot feel fresh. For this you just have to follow these simple steps:
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- Before putting on the socks apply some baby powder on the feet
- Make a habit of powdering the feet from time to time when the boots and feet get more sweaty.
- Avoid using excessive powder as it may result in irritation.
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5. A Homemade Spray can Get Rid of the Ill-smelling work boots
Instead of investing in commercial products, you can opt for a cheaper and far more natural option which is none other than a homemade spray. This super effective formula is best suited for those boots which are too difficult to wash.
You can make your own spray by just adding 1/2 cup of water into equal amounts of vinegar along with 5 drops of tea tree oil. Store the mixture in a spray bottle and you are all set. Just by spraying a little amount, you can easily do away with the malodor.
6.) Freeze your Boots!
Yes, you heard it right! Freezing is one of the best options to remove the bad smell from your work boots. It is scientifically proven that freezing kills the entire work bacteria thus eliminating the musty odor. Perform this stubborn method:
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- Seal the boots in a bag before placing them in the freezer. By this way, you can protect them from extreme temperatures.
- Leave this bag overnight in the freezer to kill all the bacteria.
- Before going to work, take out the boots and thaw them properly before wearing them.
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This sure shot method works well when all other methods fail. So, from next time just come home and put your boots in the freezer to save yourself from the embarrassment
7. Placing Lemon Peels in the Boots
Apart from being acidic, citrus fruits are anti-bacterial and lemon is one of them. Fresh citrus peel has a great smell because of the presence of essential oil which can counterbalance the smell of the work boots.
Just crush the peels and place them inside your boots for one complete night. The peels will give you some fruitful results the next morning.
8. Apply a Tinge of Alcohol
Thinking how can alcohol which itself smells awful can help in removing the odor? Don’t worry because alcohol is the greatest enemy of fungus and bacteria and fights against them. This great product evaporates on its own by killing the culprits. Isn’t it amazing?
For this to be effective, take a spray bottle and fill it with equal amounts of water and alcohol. After the solution is prepared just sprinkle some inside the boots. The solution can also be applied on the surface by using a cotton swab. Watch the smell go within hours.
9. Use the Power of the Sun
It’s time to take advantage of the UV rays produced by the ultimate source of energy which naturally kills the bacteria. Drying out the work boots in a sunny spot or in front of a heater keeps them dry and exterminates stink up to a great extent.
Just unlace the boots, let them dry and see the malodor disappear. It’s natural and totally free.
10.) Wash them All
Last but not the least, try washing the boots every alternate week. Most work boots are washable so it is recommended to wash them with a suitable detergent or recommended washer.
The soaked sweat from boots can be removed by washing your boots at regular intervals. Don’t forget to dry them up in the sunlight to kill the remaining bacteria.
Apart from this make a habit of changing your insoles every couple of months to save your boots.
Best work boot odor eliminator
Best natural work boot odor eliminators:
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- Coffee beans
- Baking soda
- Lemon, orange peels
- Talcum powder
- Tea bags
- Activated charcoal
- The UV ray treatment
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Best work boot odor eliminators (sprays/deodorizers):
1.) Sweat X Sport Extreme Odor Spray
2.) LamFun Foot Odor Eliminator Spray
3.) Glovestix StankStix Shoe Deodorizer
4.) Elite Sportz Shoe Deodorizer
5.) FOREVER NEW Stretch Athleisure Pre-Treatment Odor Removal Spray
Why do my boots smell like ammonia?
We intake proteins in our sites and that protein is broken down into amino acids which inturn is converted into ammonia by our body and that ammonia is released through sweat. And that is the reason behind your boots smelling like ammonia!
How do I get the ammonia-like smell out of my boots?
It’s not at all tolerable when your boots smell like ammonia! It’s literally gross! Thankfully there are ways to deal with it and eliminate it:
• Put any citrus fruit peels like lemon, orange, etc. Inside your boots and leave overnight. The peels will kill the ammonia smell and make them smell fresh.
• Sprinkling baking soda and keeping overnight never fails with killing the smell.
• Deodorizer sprays also work great in eliminating the ammonia-like smell.
• Washing your boots once every two weeks also works great. Remember to dry them under the sun to eliminate the smell.
Does a boot dryer help with smell?
Of course drying boots wet with sweat will somewhat help in eliminating the smell. But it will not take the smell away completely.
Dried boots will obviously smell less, but without prior washing, only drying won’t be that effective!
See also: Best Work Boot Dryer
Why do my work boots smell like cat pee?
Your boots probably smell like cat pee because of the sweat produced by your feet and that sweat getting trapped inside the material for the boots for a long time.
Here are a few other reasons why your boots might smell like a cat pee:
• A cat might have really peed in your boots unknowingly!
• Your feet sweat a lot and that sweat settles inside the boots to produce such a smell.
• You do not wash your boots regularly.
• Your boots might have not dried thoroughly.
• The insoles are stuffed with sweat.
• Your boots are breathable enough to let the sweat evaporate and keep the boots dry.
Final Thoughts
We all know that stinking boot is really a stubborn problem but there is always a way to solve it. No need to spend your precious money on new boots as by following these simple ways you can surely get rid of the unpleasant odor.
Cheer up and get back to work without facing any embarrassment. So, are you excited to try these hacks?
