One of the greatest joys of being a mom is cheering my kids on from the sidelines. Watching them practice, work hard, show team spirit…it all makes me so proud and brings so much happiness into my life. Being a sports mom is so rewarding in so many ways. However, there is a very dark, ugly area of this lifestyle that very few people on the outside see. That area is the inside of kids’ sport shoes and sport shoe odors that exist there.
If you’re going to survive life as a sports mom, you’ve got to have a few tips for taming sport shoe odors in your back pocket. Here are a few of mine.
Keep feet clean and dry! This sounds like a no-brainer, but starting with clean feet and clean socks is a must. The slightest bit of dampness is a breeding ground for bacteria, and odor is caused by bacteria. It’s also important for feet to dry after a shower before putting on socks and shoes. Putting damp feet into socks only makes the socks damp, which obviously transfers the moisture to the sneakers.
Wash sneakers and running shoes when you can. Note: Technically, leather styles shouldn’t be washed at all, though I know many people that throw leather sneakers in the washing machine on a regular basis. I wouldn’t recommend it, unless you’re prepared to buy a new pair if they get ruined. Either way, to kill bacteria, you should wash with hot water and then let the shoes air dry really, really well. Putting them next to a fan or air conditioner is a good idea too. *Note – make sure they don’t still stink before you go blowing all of that air around!*
Remove the shoes the second you’re done using them. The longer you wear the shoes, the longer the warmth of your feet gives bacteria a happy place to multiply in. When shoes get sweaty, they need to breathe.
Most sports will go on in a little bit of rain, so chances are that your sports shoes will get wet. The best you can do at that point is to take immediate action when you get home. If you can’t wash your shoes in hot water, try pouring some baking soda into a clean sock and let it sit in the shoe overnight. Baking soda absorbs both moisture and odors.
Take preventative action. We have been using Inkblaat Insoles to fight the battle with sport shoe odor. Received a few samples of them recently and really enjoying all the benefits.
Unlike other insoles claiming to fight odors, Inkblaat insoles actually kill the bacteria that causes it. They’re designed to wick the moisture away from the feet, so sweaty feet are no match. The insoles not only stay put with no bunching in the kids’ shoes, they add extra comfort. They also come in cool patterns your kids will like, encouraging use. Best of all, they’re machine washable. I simply take them out and throw them in the washer and dryer with the sweaty socks, killing any bacteria. They’re the perfect odor protectors!
Fighting sport shoe odor is a never ending battle, but if you stay on top of it, it’s manageable. Come to think of it, keeping shoe odors at bay is a lot like playing sports. Learn the strategies, take preventative action, and give it your best! You won’t always win, but at least you won’t go down without a fight!
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