How to clean smelly work boots. Steel-toed boots are popular with workers and there are good reasons for this popularity. If you work in high-risk areas, these boots can protect your toes from a variety of injuries. You don't have to worry about sharp objects while working.
But over time, these boots develop an unpleasant odor. Once they start to smell bad, you can't throw them away as they are often expensive. In this post, we'll show you how to clean smelly steel-toed boots.
Use soap and water
You should clean your boots when they are dirty. Pour some warm water into a bowl and mix in some mild dish soap.
Remove the stencils, wash them in soapy water and then rinse them well. Then use a cloth to clean the boots. Dry them completely.
If not dried properly, microorganisms will grow.
If you wear your boots regularly, clean them every 10-15 days. Find a well-ventilated area and hang the boots there to dry. In most cases, soapy water is enough to remove the smell of steel-toed boots. But to get the best results, there are still a few things you need to do.
Use baking soda to soak up odors
Take some baking soda and sprinkle it on your boots. The baking soda should reach the midsole areas. For good results, it should be left overnight. Foot odors are absorbed and neutralized and the boot will no longer smell.
Shake before putting on your boots so the soda falls out. You'll get better results if you mix the baking soda with some cat litter. It can also absorb odors.
Use disinfecting spray
You can use a pharmaceutical variety of disinfectant sprays to treat your work boots. You can also make an effective disinfectant by using some vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and essential oil. Spray the mixture thoroughly into the boots.
You may not be able to get rid of the stench right away, but you can hope it kills the bacteria responsible for the stench. If you use vinegar, don't forget to add some essential oil and air freshener. You should use an air freshener because the vinegar itself has an unpleasant odor.
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Cover lingering odors with essential oils
There will still be some subtle odors even if you worked hard to get them out. While cleaning and disinfecting are effective, you should also use some essential oils to cover up lingering odors.
The natural scent of essential oils masks unpleasant odors from your work shoes. Before figuring out how to clean smelly steel-toed boots, do something about unpleasant odors.
In the evening, apply a few drops of tree oil, peppermint oil, or rosemary oil. Essential oils work great if you store your boots in a dry place after applying the oils. Essential oils have antibacterial properties and a pleasant aroma. Therefore, it can be a great alternative to perfume, hand soap or deodorant.
Keep your feet clean
You will experience an embarrassing foot odor if you do not clean your feet well enough. If you want to know how to clean smelly steel-toed boots, make sure your feet are clean first.
Oil, clogged pores, and dirt lead to an embarrassing foot odor. Wash your feet thoroughly at least once a day, especially after physical activity.
Keeping your feet clean is the most effective way to prevent unpleasant odors in your work boots.
Dry your boots between uses
Your work boots will remain wet from snow and rain all winter long. Therefore, boots should be kept in a well-ventilated place so that they can dry easily. It's a good idea to keep them high, preferably near a window. You can also keep them in a place near the stove or fire.
Germs will grow on your work boots if you don't dry them regularly. Never let your boots stay wet for too long. You don't want to make it a breeding ground for bacteria. You don't have to worry about cleaning smelly steel-toed boots if you dry them in between.
But how do you do that if you have to wear out your boots when you go to work? Here comes the main advantage of having more than one pair of boots. If you have several pairs of boots, you don't have to wear the same pair of boots every day.
If you need to dry the boots in a very short time, you can use a hairdryer. But keep in mind that too much direct heat is not good for your boots. So you have to do it in moderation. Yes, you can use a hairdryer, but not every day.
Use a drier sheet
There is another simple solution to the odor problem. Keep a fabric softener in each of your boots every night before going to bed. Commercial drying wipes are available in the market. Drying sheets can not only absorb odors but also give off a wonderful fragrance. Yes, you can keep your boots smelling fresh by using a simple drying cloth.
Additional tips
If you are hesitant to use disinfectant sprays, use scented air fresheners. While not as effective as disinfectant sprays, they can kill bacteria.
If you have a persistent foot odor even after changing your socks regularly, there is a fungal infection in your boots or socks. Do something about the infection. It is also a good idea to visit your doctor to see if there are any fungal infections of the foot.
You can make odor-absorbing bags with a few simple ingredients such as tea leaves, cat litter, charcoal, and baking soda. Before going to bed at night, you can tuck these bags into your boots.
Do not use harsh chemical cleaners or fragrances on the leather. Never apply air fresheners directly to your skin. If you do, you may face some discomfort, including skin problems. So if you want to know how to clean smelly steel-toed boots, you need to find a mild chemical that's kind to your skin.
Before using any product or remedy, make sure you don't have an allergic reaction. How do you know how your skin will react to a particular product?
Well, you can read the warnings if there are any and talk to a skin specialist. The best idea is to go online and read relevant information about the product or chemical.
There is another simple and effective way to kill bacteria in work shoes. Place your boots in a large plastic bag and store the bag in the freezer.
If you leave the boots there overnight, the freezing temperature will kill the bacteria. There will be no smell if there are no bacteria.
Do not use clarifying shampoos to clean your work shoes, because these shampoos have a high PH factor. Highly alkaline products can damage your work shoes. Try not to use moisturizing shampoos as they are acidic. Whatever product you use to clean your boots, make sure it's PH balanced.
You can easily clean your smelly work boots if you just have the time and mindset. Whatever methods you use, make sure to clean your work boots regularly. Hopefully, you find these tips helpful.