Berlin (dpa) - Your shoes may have started to smell - it would not be surprising as our feet sweat more than many people think. During the day, the amount of sweat can quickly add up to the equivalent of a small shot glass. Do remove this moisture as otherwise it accumulates inside your shoes, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow. That's what causes an unpleasant smell. However, with a little prevention and some proper care, you can easily avoid such odours. Prevention through airing, choice of materials To prevent shoes from starting to smell in the first place, Claudia Schulz from the German Shoe Institute recommends: Changing shoes regularly and allowing each pair to rest for at least 24 hours. Newspaper placed inside the shoes overnight draws out any residual moisture. Cedar shoe trees are particularly effective as they absorb moisture and give off a pleasant scent. The choice of materials also plays a role. Leather or natural fibres such as cotton and linen absorb sweat better than synthetic materials. Wearing socks made of natural fibres such as merino wool or cotton also reduces perspiration inside the shoe. "Walking barefoot in trainers or closed shoes, on the other hand, is not a good idea, as moisture then accumulates even faster," says Schulz. If shoes smell already What can you do if your shoes already smell and cannot be put in the washing machine? The simplest method is to air them out regularly, using a fan if necessary, says Schulz. Try using antibacterial sprays from the chemist's or based on essential oils as they also help to reduce germs and neutralize odours. You can also put lemon slices in your shoes or scented sachets with herbs are suitable home remedies. "Baking powder or coffee powder, on the other hand, are often not strong enough to effectively combat the smell," she says. You can also place your shoes in a bag in the freezer for a few hours. The cold kills bacteria and reduces odours, but this method is more suitable for textile and plastic shoes than for delicate leather. Care depends on material Leather shoes require more care. They should be treated regularly with creams to moisturise and keep the material supple. You can clean suede leather such as velour with special brushes and can also treat them to repel dirt and moisture. You can clean textile shoes or trainers in the washing machine under certain circumstances, but be careful as especially with mixed materials or glued soles, you may start to see unsightly edges or loose seams, says Schulz. It is safer to wash them gently by hand with a mild detergent. If you use the washing machine, you should put the shoes in a laundry bag, wash the laces separately and select a gentle cycle. To keep your shoes extra fresh, store them with scented sachets or even spray a little of your favourite perfume in the shoe box - that gives the shoes a very personal touch. Don't forget foot hygiene If you want to prevent odours in the long term, go beyond caring for your shoes. Do wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly prevents sweat odours. You can also use foot powder and special deodorants to help reduce the production of sweat. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn nam tsn xxde arw (The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
