Trainers are perfect for throwing on when we know that we’re going to be on our feet all day, or when we are exercising. Unfortunately, this means that they often end up smelling unpleasant. Luckily, these methods will freshen up your trainers in no time.
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Dry shampoo
- Teabags
- Newspaper
- Dryer sheets
- Rubbing alcohol
- Washing machine
Bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda is amazing for removing odours as the fine powder is incredibly absorbent. Sprinkle a thin layer of bicarbonate of soda in each shoe and leave it to sit for 24 hours. After 24 hours, shake the powder from your shoes and marvel at their fresh smell. For an even fresher smell add a couple of drops of essential oil to your bicarbonate of soda.
Dry shampoo
When used for its intended purpose, dry shampoo soaks up the oils in your hair and is usually scented to make it smell fresher. Spraying it on your trainers works in exactly the same way. Spray a liberal amount of dry shampoo in your shoes and leave them to sit for 24 hours. After 24 hours they will be ready to wear and smelling beautifully fresh, and oddly like your hair…
Teabags
Breakfast teabags contain tannins which help to kill bacteria and eliminate odours. Put your teabags, one for each shoe, in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, before removing them and leaving them to cool. Once your teabags have cooled, place one in each shoe and leave them for 1 hour. After an hour, remove the teabags from your shoes and soak up any excess tea. Be warned that the tannin can stain so you may be left with a brownish stain inside your trainer, but at least they’ll smell fresh.
Newspaper
Foul-smelling trainers are often caused by the moisture created from wearing them all day. This moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. To absorb this moisture, scrunch up newspaper, tissue paper, or a paper bag, and stuff it inside your trainers. Leave the paper for 24 hours before taking it out and wearing your trainers. To help eliminate odours, add a few drops of essential oil to the paper.
Dryer sheets
Dryer sheets do exactly as their name suggests and suck the moisture from their surroundings. If you don’t have any newspaper, dryer sheets will absorb the moisture in your trainers in exactly the same way. Simply scrunch a dryer sheet for each shoe and insert it in your trainers. Take the sheet out the next time you want to wear your trainers and enjoy the freshness. You can also use dryer sheets to eliminate odours from the area you store your trainers, such as your gym bag. Just place a dryer sheet in the area and leave it to soak up any moisture.
Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol kills odour-causing bacteria, making it the perfect thing to use on your trainers. You can either put rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and spray the inside of your trainers or apply the rubbing alcohol to cotton balls/pads and use them to wipe the inside of your trainers. Not only is rubbing alcohol great at eliminating odours, but if your trainers can be wiped clean, you can use it to freshen the outside of them as well. A double win.
Washing machine
If you want to give your trainers a thorough freshen, it’s best to use the washing machine. Before putting your trainers in the washing machine, first, check their care labels to make sure that they are machine washable. If your trainers are machine washable, remove the soles and laces before putting your trainers in a pillowcase. This will protect them from the harsh cycle of the washing machine and also help soften the noise as they are spun. Put your machine on a gentle cycle, and let your trainers spin. Once they have finished their cycle, take them out and leave them to air dry. Never put your trainers in the tumble dryer as the heat will warp the material and cause irreversible damage. Make sure that your trainers are completely dry before wearing them or you risk creating an even worse smell!
Whilst you are freshening up your trainers, let us tackle the rest of your laundry. Book your Laundryheap order by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.
