Post: #1

With summer coming this has been a recurrent issue.

The moment I take my feet off the shoes the smell is really annoying, and washing it with soap is the only thing that helps temporarily. When I put my feet back in my shoes and walk for a few seconds it starts again. And when I go to someone else’s house this is embarrassing.

My basic hygiene is good. I shower twice per day and clean my feet. I spray antiodor in all my shoes before putting them on but even then that doesn’t help. Instead the chemicals mixed with my odor creates a really fucked up smell.

All my socks are high quality thin cotton socks and I change pairs after each wear.

The only thing that helped so far is to sauna soak my feet in hot water with orange peel and salt. This usually eases the smell for 2 days but then it comes back.

Anyone got the same problem but found a consistent solution?
Thanks

Post: #2

Had a similar problem, here are a few tricks I learned in the Army which seemed to help:

- Powder your feet regularly. I'm not sure which brand to recommend specifically, but regular baby powder worked for me.
- Change socks 2-3 times per day.
- Floss your toes. When you change socks, clean out between the toes using your old sock in a floss-like motion.

Post: #3

Would the baking soda recommendation work for this too?

Post: #4

Buy charcoal insoles for your shoes. My shoes and feet used to smell terrible but I bought some Dr. Scholl's anti-odor insoles last summer and they haven't let me down. To put it in perspective, if I bought a new pair of shoes and didn't use insoles, they would start to stink within a few months. I bought a new pair of boat shoes last May (NO SOCKS), and they still don't stink at all. Just smell like leather.

Bear in mind I'm in Southeast Asia and I sweat all day. I can't find Scholl's insoles, so now I'm using these cinnamon scented ones. My feet smell like cookies when I take my shoes off.

One more thing--I also stopped using soap to wash my feet about a year ago too. I just use water, and to be honest I don't even really scrub them at all but for once a week or so. Sounds disgusting, I know, but it worked.

Post: #5

I cut baking soda with regular baby powder and use this. It improves things odour wise as well as making it easier to get a fresh pair of socks on midway through the day. If the shoes are washable do it at least once a week.

Post: #6

Another suggestion:
Vent your shoes. Take out the inside and wash it (if you can).
Use other shoes, if you only use one pair.

Post: #7

The cause of odor are not the hygiene itself but the fact that you sweat in your shoes.

wikipedia Wrote:The main cause is foot sweat (also see focal hyperhidrosis). Sweat itself is odorless, but it creates a beneficial environment for certain bacteria to grow and produce bad-smelling substances.

Added to this if your shoes are too tight, by that I mean if your feet can barely breathe it'll strengthen the odor, the remedies are:
- Change shoes each day to slow the proliferation of bacteries
- Baby powder/Baking Soda
- Charcoal wafers absorbs the odor

Post: #8

Hey thanks guys. Never thought about using powder myself, will have to try it. Will also looking at getting insoles.

I change shoes everyday too. Havent helped the problem so far.

Post: #9

Op

Throw away all socks that are not 100pc cotton or wool. (Most are polyester, even if you think they are cotton they must say it)

Throw away all socks made in China.

Throw away all China made shoes. You will never win this battle with cheap shoes. They come new with bacteria.

Start new with whatever tips above with new cotton socks and shoes that are made in Italy or the US or England.

Post: #10

When I go skiing, I use an antiperspirant deodorant on my feet to prevent sweating. Just some spray deodorant will do fine.

Worth a try in an effort to keep your feet dry.

Post: #11

The guys recommending the powder are on point. But don't just shake it on your feet or into your shoes. Put the powder in your hands and rub it on, and between your toes. Just like you would apply lotion to your hands in the winter. And apply a little more later in the day.

Post: #12

I have heard that only using cotton socks will greatly improve your ailment

Post: #13

100 % cotton socks
washing your socks at 60°C
I would say washing feet only with water everyday (when you shower). try that for a week. using too much chemicals (soap, every other shower gel) destroys the balance of bacteria on your skin and the stinky ones may take over

Post: #14

I think it's worth asking what kind of shoes you're wearing. Are you sure it's not footwear related?

Additionally to the great foot poweder advice, consider wool socks (50% or more) in place of cotton. Difference isn't huge, but it is noticeable. Also good preventative for fungal problems. You can find thin ones, sports one and thick ones, you just have to search hard on the net.

True story: In WW2 the US army was getting far more trench foot than the British Army, at first they weren't sure if it was a boots issue until they looked at the different socks they wore: British wore wool and the Americans wore cotton.

Post: #15

Get a pedicure.

Perfectly clean fingernails and toenails should be the starting point. They're the easiest place for fungus to grow.

A pedicure will get toenails sorted out, as well as removing dead skin and soaking and scrubbing the entire foot with cleansing liquids.

Post: #16

Deleted

Post: #17

(08-03-2015 04:14 PM)Surreyman Wrote:  I think it's worth asking what kind of shoes you're wearing. Are you sure it's not footwear related?

Additionally to the great foot poweder advice, consider wool socks (50% or more) in place of cotton. Difference isn't huge, but it is noticeable. Also good preventative for fungal problems. You can find thin ones, sports one and thick ones, you just have to search hard on the net.

True story: In WW2 the US army was getting far more trench foot than the British Army, at first they weren't sure if it was a boots issue until they looked at the different socks they wore: British wore wool and the Americans wore cotton.

How do I know if its footwear related? I think it smells bad even when I wear my more expensive shoes.

Never even knew wool socks existed. Mind be worth investing in a few.

Quote:Get a pedicure.

Perfectly clean fingernails and toenails should be the starting point. They're the easiest place for fungus to grow.

A pedicure will get toenails sorted out, as well as removing dead skin and soaking and scrubbing the entire foot with cleansing liquids.

Will probably be the only guy at the pedicure place. Awesome for game purpose if I can prove I'm not gay

Post: #18

(08-03-2015 04:58 AM)Dalaran1991 Wrote:  The moment I take my feet off the shoes the smell is really annoying, and washing it with soap is the only thing that helps temporarily.

I have the same problem from time to time.

If my feet start flaring up, I wash them with surgical spirits, and then leave them to air dry (surgical spirits evaporates quite quick, it doesn't take long).

I also spray surgical spirits into my shoes, then give them a chance to air dry.

Other than the above, I also have learnt to never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Shoes need time to dry out, or they'll stink.

Post: #19

(08-04-2015 04:31 AM)Dalaran1991 Wrote:  Never even knew wool socks existed. Mind be worth investing in a few.

Check out merino wool socks if you can afford them.

Post: #20

Dip your feet in black liquid silicone so when it dries it looks like your wearing tight fitted socks. That should contain the smell for at least a couple weeks.

Post: #21

Try merino wool socks. Darn Tough makes some great merino wool/nylon blend and they come with a lifetime guarantee. Merino is naturally antibacterial. Get the lightweight ones and some breathable shoes. Then you should be fine.

Post: #22

I use Certain Dri roll-on on my underarms, as well as feet and balls on occasion. It's amazing Keeps sweat down for 3+ days. Don't use it for 48h after shaving.

Don't wear the same shoes 2 days in a row, especially if they're leather. Alternate.

I've never done it, but on what Thomas said - a lot of costume designers in film and Broadway will spray costumes with diluted vodka for the same reasons.

Post: #23

(08-04-2015 04:31 AM)Dalaran1991 Wrote:  

(08-03-2015 04:14 PM)Surreyman Wrote:  I think it's worth asking what kind of shoes you're wearing. Are you sure it's not footwear related?

Additionally to the great foot poweder advice, consider wool socks (50% or more) in place of cotton. Difference isn't huge, but it is noticeable. Also good preventative for fungal problems. You can find thin ones, sports one and thick ones, you just have to search hard on the net.

True story: In WW2 the US army was getting far more trench foot than the British Army, at first they weren't sure if it was a boots issue until they looked at the different socks they wore: British wore wool and the Americans wore cotton.

How do I know if its footwear related? I think it smells bad even when I wear my more expensive shoes.

Never even knew wool socks existed. Mind be worth investing in a few.

Quote:Get a pedicure.

Perfectly clean fingernails and toenails should be the starting point. They're the easiest place for fungus to grow.

A pedicure will get toenails sorted out, as well as removing dead skin and soaking and scrubbing the entire foot with cleansing liquids.

Will probably be the only guy at the pedicure place. Awesome for game purpose if I can prove I'm not gay

The more expensive shoes are made in ______?

Remember bacteria is a living growing thing. You may not want to hear this but refer to my post above the throw away part.

Post: #24

(08-04-2015 10:23 AM)PALEO DUDE Wrote:  Dip your feet in black liquid silicone so when it dries it looks like your wearing tight fitted socks. That should contain the smell for at least a couple weeks.

wtf

Post: #25

Any updates here? Any new products you guys recommend? My brother used to have these little deodorant balls to leave in your shoes overnight and they were decent, but I'm sure there's better stuff.