{"id":8269,"date":"2021-06-09T11:42:53","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T18:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=8269"},"modified":"2024-12-23T13:00:15","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T21:00:15","slug":"how-to-prevent-smelly-sandals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-smelly-sandals\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Smelly Sandals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8272\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/LUCIA_COLLECTION.png\" alt=\"Colorful beach sandals\" width=\"1000\" height=\"625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/LUCIA_COLLECTION.png 1000w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/LUCIA_COLLECTION-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/LUCIA_COLLECTION-768x480.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s better than sunshine and salty beach days? Slipping into your favorite pair of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/beach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">beach sandals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and comfortably sauntering wherever the day takes you. And what\u2019s worse than finding sand in all the places sand should never be? The lingering odors rising from your flip flops that only seem to get worse as the days get hotter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nothing puts a damper on summer fun quite like stinky sandals. No, it\u2019s not a \u201cyou problem,\u201d and you\u2019re definitely not the only one that\u2019s experienced this. And yes, at one time or another, we\u2019ve all had to bid farewell to our favorite footwear as a result.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Odors are a natural part of life, but that doesn\u2019t mean we have to accept them as status quo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a few simple techniques, you can keep your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/sandals\/flip-flops.html\">flip-flops<\/a> fresh for plenty of summer fun to come. We\u2019ll walk you through how to get smells out of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/sandals.html\">women\u2019s sandals<\/a> and how to prevent them before they even start.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stink Happens: Finding the Culprit\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start feeling awkward about the scents emanating from your beach bag, remember that odor is natural. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it would be a lot weirder if you\u2019ve never had smelly feet before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Especially in the summer months when our feet come into contact with sand, water, dirt, grass, oceanside public showers just teeming with bacteria, and of course, our own natural sweat, there are plenty of reasons why you have a smelly shoe. The first step in managing the situation is identifying the source of the problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few of the possible odor-causing culprits:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re not drying your feet<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019ve been staying cool by the lake, ocean, pool, or backyard sprinkler, water is an inevitable part of most people\u2019s heat-beating routine. Do as many cannonball jumps as you\u2019d like, but take the time to dry off every part of your body afterward, including your feet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soggy, water-logged toes are often the most common\u2015and most preventable\u2015cause of sandal odor. Pack a small towel in your beach tote and dry off all the droplets you can before sliding back into your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/comfortable-walking-sandals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">walking sandals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re not minding the material\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fun fact: Your feet produce about half a pint of sweat every day.<sup>1<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> As we said, it would be unnatural <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to carry odors, given all the sweat that accumulates on your favorite pair of flip flops.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you know that you\u2019re extra prone to sweat, your footwear\u2019s material makeup could make things worse. Check the product specs to uncover the kind of fibers that were used. If they\u2019re synthetic (faux leather, foam, rubber), that may be exacerbating your problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your hormones are doing what hormones do\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children aren\u2019t the only ones running wild this summer\u2014your hormones may be, too. A shift in bodily chemicals due to factors like stress, pregnancy, or puberty may also be the reason you have a sweaty foot and the cause of your unpleasant foot odor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve been toweling off your toes, wearing breathable sandals, and you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">still<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> find yourself sweating up a storm, you may have your hormones to thank for your sandal smell.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re not washing thoroughly enough\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summertime is all about laying back and relaxing by the beach. But in between swimming, sandcastle-building, and sun tanning, you can\u2019t forget about consistent hygiene habits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not showering every day, consider at least giving your feet a daily soak and scrub. Adding simple after-shower creams and powders to your post-cleansing routine might also go a long way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/comfortable-walking-sandals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6874 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Sandals-General-CTA-2.jpg\" alt=\"shop-comfortable-walking-sandals\" width=\"998\" height=\"234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Sandals-General-CTA-2.jpg 998w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Sandals-General-CTA-2-300x70.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Sandals-General-CTA-2-768x180.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Squash the Stink: Ways to Keep Your Footwear Fresh<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that we\u2019ve targeted a few possible reasons why your flip flops may be turning more noses than heads, you have a great starting point for curbing the unpleasant odors. However, your sandals might also start to small through no fault of your own.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve recently added a few new pairs of sandals to your summer closet, you\u2019ll want to take preventative action to keep them scent-free. And if you\u2019re breaking out your old favorites from last season, give them a quick refresh before putting them on full display at the local pier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow these tips and tricks to ensure your sandals are squeaky clean and summer-ready:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your sandals on a rotation\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can, stock your closet with a few staple sandals. Sporty sandals, slide-ons, and a dressier platform pair might be a good place to start. Or, if you\u2019re a flip flop-only person starting June 21st, consider getting your favorites in a few different colors to prevent having smelly sandals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can avoid wearing the same smelly sandals every day, each pair will have more time to dry out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8273 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SS21-Lucia-Snk-II-Brown-Lifestyle_bd04f79d-low.jpg\" alt=\"pretty girl in summer clothes and sandals\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SS21-Lucia-Snk-II-Brown-Lifestyle_bd04f79d-low.jpg 667w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SS21-Lucia-Snk-II-Brown-Lifestyle_bd04f79d-low-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Air them out\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know that your sandals love the summer sun and fresh air just as much as you do? Treat yourself <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your shoes to an afternoon lounge on the patio. Ultraviolet rays are naturally good at disinfecting and ousting unwanted bacteria that causes you to have a stinky sandal.<sup>2<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just be mindful of how long your leather sandals or suede shoes are soaking up the sun. Too much sun on your sandals could have the opposite effect it does on you. While you might earn yourself a golden glow, your suede slip-ons will risk <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">losing<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> their color.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use baking soda\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doesn\u2019t it seem like baking soda is the cure for just about anything? Keeping your sandals fresh is another superpower it can add to its already impressive resume.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sprinkle some onto your sandals and let them sit overnight to help neutralize whatever odors are brewing. Another option is to make a paste with baking soda and water for a deep-cleaning scrub, as long as your footwear is made of water-safe fabrics.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coat them in powder during the day\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baking soda is great for when your shoes are <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">off <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your feet, but what can you do while they\u2019re on? At the beginning of the day, sprinkle a light layer of baby powder or antifungal powder on the bed of your sandals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the day, these absorbent substances will wick away any moisture that makes it past your other lines of defense.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concoct your own spray\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are loads of DIY recipes out there for smelly shoes and sandals. Pick your favorite antimicrobial essential oil (tea tree, peppermint, or eucalyptus) and blend it together with water and witch hazel. A spritz on your sandals here and there should be helpful in keeping the odors at bay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replace smelly odors with pleasant ones\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As they say, an orange peel a day keeps the sandal smells away. Putting orange peels in your shoes overnight can eliminate the icky odors and imbue your shoes with a fresh, citrus scent. Another option is to dab a few drops of vanilla extract onto paper and leave it inside your shoes for 24 hours or so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When possible, opt for all-natural\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember what we said before about synthetic materials? They can harbor all kinds of gunk and may cause even more foot sweat than normal. If you\u2019re worried about this creating some unwanted problems, consider switching to a pair of sandals made with natural materials like leather or cork.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for the sandal sweet spot: a nice, breathable material that\u2019s comfortable and provides your feet with plenty of support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stop the sweat with foot deodorant\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not sure that all-natural remedies are going to cut it, consider perusing the market of foot deodorants. You can find an assortment of sprays and creams, which may be the key to stopping the sweat before it has a chance to ruin your shoes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you prefer an antifungal cream or an essential oil-based spray, you\u2019re bound to find one that suits your sandal-wearing sensibilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find a replacement\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you feel like you\u2019re all out of options, it might just be time to throw in the towel (or, in this case, the sandals). It\u2019s always sad to say goodbye to old favorites, but now you\u2019ll know how to take better care of your next favorite pair.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you\u2019re in the market for a fresh pair of flip flops, open-toed wedges, or sporty sandals, it\u2019s the perfect time to start shopping.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8274\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SS21-Jillian-Cream-Lifestyle_64b5038c-low.jpg\" alt=\"Pretty girl in summer jumpsuit and sandals\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SS21-Jillian-Cream-Lifestyle_64b5038c-low.jpg 667w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SS21-Jillian-Cream-Lifestyle_64b5038c-low-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find Your Fragrance-Free Summer Footwear at Vionic\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If summer is a state of mind and flip flops are your year-round footwear of choice, or if you\u2019re prepping for upcoming warm weather, sandals will be an integral part of your daily life. And if you\u2019re a staunch supporter of flip flops in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/slippers-vs-sandals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">slippers vs. sandals<\/a> debate, you know you have to deal with the potential odors that come with spending your days barefoot by the beach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s nothing worse than spending hours searching for the perfect pair just to send them on a fast track to the trash can by letting the odors build and build. Choose your sandals wisely, and be sure to take the proper steps to keep them clean, dry, and odor-free.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shop <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vionic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for an unparalleled collection of sandals in various trending styles, like our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/sandals\/slide-sandals.html\">women\u2019s slide sandals<\/a> or heeled sandals. From leather to suede and everything in between, Vionic sandals are functional and fashionable. Thanks to our special Vionic Technology, you can find the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/best-flip-flops-with-arch-support\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best flip flops with arch support<\/a> for a happy medium that\u2019s almost impossible to come by.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a clean, well-cared-for pair of sandals, the only odors you\u2019ll pick up on will be the salty air, sweet treats, and smoky campfire. Step into summer with Vionic today!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Sources:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scott LaFee. &#8220;Shoeless Glow&#8221;. UC San Diego Health<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. February 24, 2017, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/health.ucsd.edu\/news\/features\/pages\/2017-02-24-listicle-feet-facts.aspx#:~:text=Each%20foot%20is%20comprised%20of,other%20part%20of%20the%20body\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/health.ucsd.edu\/news\/features\/pages\/2017-02-24-listicle-feet-facts<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kimberly Holland. &#8220;Want to Kill Dangerous Bacteria?&#8221;. Healthline<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Nov 28, 2018, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/want-to-kill-dangerous-germs-open-your-blinds#UV-light-vs.-bacteria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/want-to-kill-dangerous-germs-open-your-blinds#UV-light-vs.-bacteria<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"more-link\" id=\"excerpt\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-smelly-sandals\/\">Read More &gt;<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2607,284],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health-wellness","category-style","dwtl normal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8269"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12319,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8269\/revisions\/12319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}