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Friday, February 17, 2012

How to Cure Stinky Sneakers Naturally

Sneaker Stink Cured with Tea Tree Oil
After wearing her brand new sneakers a few time without socks, my 6-year's feet started smelling like nachos. Bacteria had set up camp in those cute little shoes and was not about to leave - even after she committed to wearing socks again. Airing out did not work. Washing with soap did not work. Baking soda did not work. A good friend of mine said she'd had success with bleach, but we don't do bleach at our house, so that was out. I finally decided to take the soles and laces out and soak the whole lot in hot water with a few drops of tea tree oil. I placed some backyard stones in the shoes to keep them submerged in the mixture and let them soak over night. The next morning, voila! No more nacho cheese smell! My daughter's new shoes once again smell fresh and new - thanks to the natural antibacterial properties of tea tree oil.

I know there are shoes on the market that have a built in antimicrobial layer to help prevent the inevitable stinky sneaker scent, but I don't want my kids or myself absorbing those toxic chemicals every time we go for a walk. I'd rather stink up our shoes naturally and then treat them naturally with tea tree oil.

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