Toms shoes are a form of athletic footwear that have become quite popular in the past decade. Tom shoes have found particular popularity with members of Generation Y, sometimes called Millennials. This generation of people is known for having certain ideals and purchasing habits; they generally prefer to purchase products from companies with consciences or histories of philanthropy rather than more big name companies (such as Nike), who may be associated with unethical business practices. However, a common complaint about these sneakers is that they smell so bad when worn. The question is: why do they smell? There are several causes of this issue, which will be discussed below.
The smell can be caused by things like bacteria and sweat. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to clean your Toms shoes.
About Toms
Many customers find comfort in knowing that not only are Tom shoes made using eco-friendly practices, but that some portion of every sale goes towards providing shoes for children in developing countries around the world. The company has distributed over 60 million shoes. They have been endorsed by celebrities, and sold in stores all across the country. People everywhere seem to want a pair for themselves or their children.
The first cause of tom shoe odor is bacteria. Bacteria feed off your sweat and dead skin cells that accumulate inside your shoes when you wear them, multiplying rapidly in the right conditions. In fact, according to scientists at Arizona State University , it only takes a day for odor-causing bacteria to take root in your shoes. The result is a very unpleasant smell, as the bacteria digest sweat and other organic matter to produce acids that smell like vinegar or rotten eggs .
This explains why different people’s shoes sometimes smell differently, as people vary in the amount of sweat and oils produced by their feet; some foot wearers may not even notice shoe odor because they do not produce much sweat. People who work up a heavy sweat during exercise will have particularly smelly sneakers because their perspiration contains extra salts and amino acids that feed even more odor-causing bacteria. Also, if you wear the same pair of shoes every day, dead skin cells from your feet accumulate inside them over time, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
In addition to the acid that bacteria produce, another reason why tom shoes smell is because of sweat. Sweat inside your shoes can lead to a fungal infection if left untreated. This type of infection feeds off the nutrients in sweat and dead skin cells, converting them into moldy substances that are released into the air within your shoes.
The unpleasant odor associated with sweaty feet can be increased by certain socks , since some types of fabric wick away moisture more effectively than others. If you find yourself with extra smelly sneakers or smelly socks, washing them in very hot water will eliminate most bacterial growth; however, this should only be done when it becomes absolutely necessary, as washing too often may damage fibers in clothing and footwear.
Tom shoes are an iconic type of athletic footwear, and they can be fine for everyday casual use. However, if you find your sneakers or children’s shoes starting to smell bad regardless of how many times you wash them or what types of detergent you use, it may be time to replace them with a new pair.’
Why it’s bad to have bad smelling shoes
Bad smelling shoes can be embarrassing, it’s a bad indicator of hygiene and they’re honestly just annoying. Shoes are something that everybody wears every day, so having smelly ones is just not worth it!
Really, who wants to wear shoes that stink so much other people can notice it? When you’re at school or work, you don’t want somebody coming up to you and thinking that your feet smell just because of your shoes. It’s not something that somebody should have to deal with on top of their normal day.
The worst part about shoes is that it’s usually not something anybody can tell other people. It’s a bad secret to have, because no matter what you do you always know they smell and nobody else does! You might be tempted to wear them anyway, even though you know other people will complain about the smell. And when somebody brings up the fact that your shoes smell, it’s going to feel like an attack on your hygiene. Nobody wants to have their friend think that their feet stink! So just don’t let this happen in the first place by making sure none of your shoes ever get worn out or smelly enough without a replacement–it should honestly just be common sense.
Use dish soap and water to wash your tom shoes
Mix 1/4 cup of dish soap with about 2 cups of warm water in a large bowl or bucket. Soak your shoes in the soapy water for several minutes, then scrub them thoroughly with a clean brush to remove dirt and sweat. If you have old stains on your sneakers, make a baking soda paste using equal parts baking soda and water, and apply it directly to the stained area. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water. Afterward, let your shoes air dry completely before wearing again.
After you’ve washed your shoes, sprinkle some baking soda in them to absorb the odors. Let it sit overnight, then shake out or vacuum it out in the morning before wearing again.
Use vinegar to wash your shoes
Mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spritz it onto your dirty sneakers. Scrub the shoes with an old toothbrush for several minutes to remove dirt and sweat stains, then allow them to air dry outside or near a window to keep them smelling fresh until you wear them again.
Be sure to always wear socks with your workout shoes! By wearing thick cotton socks while working out or running errands, you can prevent sweat from seeping into your sneakers and causing stinky bacteria to grow.
