You know how it is: you’ve just finished a lovely run, your endorphins are pumping and you feel invincible. But as soon as you get home and untie your laces, a pungent smell hits you, filling the whole hallway.
At Shoefresh, we believe that sweat and odour are simply inevitable consequences of working out. After all, they're a sign of a top performance. However, once you’re home, you’d rather not be reminded of that smell (or have it in your utility room). So why do expensive running shoes start to smell so quickly? We're here to explain and provide the ultimate solution to eliminate wet, smelly running shoes once and for all!
Smelly shoes: this is the cause.
It’s a myth that sweat itself smells. In fact, sweat is odourless. It's the bacteria that leave behind a nasty smell. Here are a few facts:
- Moisture and warmth provide the perfect environment for bacteria. The average shoe is home to as many as 400,000 bacteria.
- When you run, your feet become warm and damp. This creates the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to multiply rapidly.
- The unpleasant smell you is actually the waste products excreted by these bacteria.
This is why standard solutions don't work.
Many runners try to combat the smell using well-known methods, but these often make the problem worse.
- Stuffing with newspaper: This does absorb some moisture, but it takes far too long to dry. As a result, bacteria still have hours to grow.
- On the radiator: The heat from a radiator is often too intense. It can damage the glue and cushioning in your expensive shoes (costing between €150 and €250 a pair!).
- The washing machine: A big no-no for running shoes. The mechanical action and water will ruin the structure and fit of your shoes.
- Deodorant sprays: These only temporarily mask the odour. Essentially, you're just spraying a floral scent over a layer of bacteria without addressing the root cause.
The solution: ready for a fresh start
As an endurance athlete, you invest in your body and your training. Therefore, it makes sense to take just as good care of your equipment. To keep your shoes hygienically clean and extend their lifespan, you need an effective method other than simply 'airing them out'.
The Shoefresh Opod makes it easy to incorporate shoe care into your daily routine. As soon as you get home, simply put your shoes on the device.
- Cleaning with Active Oxygen: The active oxygen (ozone) tackles the bacteria and mould that cause the odour. It therefore tackles the problem at its source.
- Drying with warm air: The shoes are dried from the inside out at a safe temperature that won’t damage the technical materials in your running shoes.
The result? You'll arrive at your next training session feeling fresh and ready, without that unpleasant damp feeling or nasty odours. This will give you the mental confidence to give it your all again!
Would you like to always be able to slip into fresh, dry running shoes?
Discover the Shoefresh Opod and experience the convenience of a refreshing workout routine.
