The strongest candle vs. running shoes

Who burns a candle in their garage? 

Why do running shoes smell so bad, especially if they’re wet? Shoes with that stench should not be allowed past the garage. Even the most potent candle can’t mask the stench of wet running shoes in the garage. Why is the odor potent? Why is it worse when shoes are wet? 

Bacteria. With 150,000 sweat glands in each foot, our feet sweat. If your shoes don’t get a chance to dry out between wearing, the bacteria in your shoes keep growing.  

Aside from going barefoot, there are remedies for smelly shoes and feet. 

1. Wash your feet with antibacterial soap and thoroughly dry them, even between the toes. 

2. Wear wicking socks made of natural or acrylic fiber blends that draw the moisture away from your feet instead of trapping it with socks made from 100% cotton. 

3. Wear shoes made of breathable materials.  

4. Wash shoes or insoles. 

5. Avoid shoes made of plastic. 

6. Don’t share shoes or towels, that’s sharing bacteria. 

Other remedies are to sprinkle corn starch or baking soda inside your shoes to absorb odor. Soaking your feet in a sink or tub of warm tea or Epsom salts are also methods of controlling foot odor.  

Until you find the remedy that works for you, keep your shoes on in social situations.