All gym shoes are going to pick up odors eventually. Rather than wait until they get too smelly, or buying a new pair each time the odors become overpowering, you can keep your gym shoes fresh and your gym bag pristine with a few simple tips.
Use Essential Oils
Working out can make your shoes smelly. Keep  your gym shoes clean with essential oils. Fill a small spray bottle with water, and add several drops of tea tree and lavender essential oils. Spray the solution in and on your gym shoes to refresh them after a workout. For really stinky shoes, put two drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball. Place a cotton ball in each shoe overnight to find them smelling fresh the next day. Essential oils like doTERRA oils that also work well for odors include lemon, rosemary, and peppermint.
Keep Your Feet Dry
Cut down the dampness inside your shoes by applying baby or talcum powder to your feet before donning socks and gym shoes. Also, sprinkle a bit of the powder inside your gym shoes. The powder has a pleasant smell to it which combats odors, and it could also help your feet from sweating.
Air Gym Shoes Out After Use
Do this right away once you’re home from your workout. Don’t walk around your house with your gym shoes on. As soon as you walk in the door, take off your shoes and let them air out in an open air environment. Until you shed the shoes, sweat and lack of airflow will continue in the shoes. And the longer you wait, the harder it will be to reverse the odor.
Wash Your Gym Shoes
While some gym shoe manufacturers may advise against tossing your gym shoes in the washing machine for cleaning, a thorough hand washing or a quick spin in sudsy, cold water is all a shoe needs. First, remove laces and insoles. Add a neutral detergent to the water, and swish if washing by hand.
Freeze Your Gym Shoes
Extreme cold can help your gym shoes stay clean and fresh. Put your shoes in resalable plastic bags that fit snugly. Use one bag per shoe. Put the shoes in the freezer overnight. An alternative is leaving your gym shoes overnight in your car when it’s cold outside.
Follow these simple tips, and you’ll have the freshest shoes in the gym.