As a mum to a teen daughter, I know all too well the struggle of keeping up with the daily messes and odors that come with adolescence. One of the most persistent and unpleasant problems I’ve faced is trying to keep my daughter’s shoes smelling fresh and clean. Between her active social life and sports practices, her shoes can become a breeding ground for bacteria and odors that can be difficult to eliminate.
For a long time, I tried to manage the problem by simply throwing her shoes in the wash or spraying them with store-bought odor eliminators. However, these solutions were temporary at best, and sometimes even made the problem worse. That’s when I decided to take a more natural approach to cleaning her shoes and discovered the power of essential oils and baking soda.
First, I began by using baking soda to absorb any odors and refresh the shoes. To do this, I simply sprinkled baking soda inside the shoes and let it sit overnight. In the morning, I would shake out the baking soda and the shoes would smell significantly better. This became my go-to solution for quick odor fixes.
Next, I started using essential oils to give her shoes a deep clean and long-lasting freshness. Essential oils have natural antibacterial properties and can be used to kill the bacteria that cause bad odors. I combined a few drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil with warm water and used the solution to scrub the inside and outside of the shoes. I let the shoes air dry and the fresh, clean scent lasted for days.
Along with essential oils, I also experimented with other natural ingredients like vinegar and lemon juice. These ingredients have acidic properties that help to neutralize odors and kill bacteria. I mixed equal parts of vinegar and water and used a cloth to wipe down the inside and outside of the shoes. I also tried squeezing lemon juice onto a cloth and wiping down the shoes. The result was shoes that smelled fresh and clean.
I’ve also found that keeping the shoes well-ventilated helps to prevent odors from forming in the first place. I encourage my daughter to let her shoes air out between wears and to store them in a well-ventilated area, such as a closet with a shoe rack or by the door. I’ve also started having her wear socks with her shoes, which helps to absorb sweat and prevent bacteria growth.
In conclusion, cleaning and managing smelly shoes doesn’t have to be a difficult or unpleasant task. With a few natural ingredients like baking soda, essential oils, vinegar, and lemon juice, you can effectively eliminate odors and keep your teen’s shoes smelling fresh. By incorporating these tips into your cleaning routine, you can have peace of mind knowing that your teen’s shoes are not only clean, but also healthy for their feet.
