Enhance your day-to-day routine with this handy tip: stick a bar of soap in your footwear post a walk - discover the reasons behind it!
Refreshing Revelation: The Underdog Hero in Every Closet - Household Soap
Score one for the unsung hero! The blogger from the hit resource "Housewife" has spilled the beans on a family secret that turns the humble household soap into a superstar, keeping shoes fresh and banishing those pesky odors.
The Secret Weapon:
All it takes is a tiny chunk of your kitchen's trusted companion to shield your shoes from odors - and it's been passed down for generations! In dry climate conditions, pop that soap straight in, but in rainy weather, wrap it in a cotton cloth to prevent excessive dampness.
The Smelly Truth
You might have heard that the odors emanate from all that sweating. But here's the lowdown: it's not the sweat causing the stink; it's the water and the warmth that create the perfect playground for bacteria!
The Soapy Solution
Bacteria simply can't stand up to soap, thanks to its innate antibacterial properties. Not only does it annihilate bacteria but it also cultivates a habitat unwelcoming to their multiplication. Leave the soap in overnight, and voila! The pong is a distant memory.
The Fresh Feet Four
Summer shoes (slip-ons, sneakers, flats), delicate sports shoes, and shoes with less frequent washing frequency are the ideal candidates for this homely hack. Best of all, it's as powerful as professional treatments but 100% friendly to all materials.
Give it a whirl, and your shoes will forever be red-carpet ready, ensuring that every step you take smells as sweet as it looks!
Soapy Science
Placing soap in your shoes wipes out odor in more ways than one. Here's how:
- pH Pain: Many household soaps, particularly Dawn dish soap, boast a pH level that inhibits bacterial growth. Bacteria thrive in areas with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, typically around pH 7 to 8. Soap throws a wrench in their party, making it difficult for bacteria to thrive.
- Surfactant Safeguard: Soap contains surfactants, which decrease the surface tension of water. This allows them to effectively clean and lift dirt and oils, making it tougher for bacteria to set up camp.
- Damp Deterrent: Soap helps absorb moisture, limiting the sloshy conditions bacteria love. By lowering moisture levels in your shoes, soap keeps the bacteria at bay.
- Microbial Manhandling: Some soaps feature mild antimicrobial agents that clobber microorganisms, further slashing odor-causing microbes.**
DIY Deodorization
To make it a thorough clean, strip the insoles and liners, dip the soap in water, give it a good shake, rinse till squeaky clean, and let it dry.
Rinse, Swish, Repeat: Rinsing the soap out thoroughly is a must to avoid any residue that could attract moisture. Leaving the shoes to dry completely is crucial to foil future bacterial growth.
Pro Tips
- Keep those shoes dry and thanks to breazy materials for help. - Freezing shoes overnight or using gentle hydrogen peroxide sprays also do the trick in fighting off lingering bacteria and odors[1].
- Incorporate household soap into your lifestyle routine, extending its use beyond cleaning dishes to fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden practices, such as using it to deodorize shoes and freshen up home environments.
- For a versatile and affordable solution to maintaining a fresh lifestyle, consider adding a piece of soap to your beauty stash for fashion-and-beauty, home-improvement arsenal for home-and-garden tasks, and shoe collection for keeping footwear smelling fresh and odor-free.
