Why do bare feet in shoes make shoes stink?

Question

What is it chemically about wearing shoes with no socks that causes the shoes to reek? I know it must have something to do with sweat absorption. Your socks absorb the prespiration of your feet, so then I guess if you don't wear socks, your shoes absorb the sweat instead? Rather than stinky socks, you get stinky shoes?

Answer 1

our feet sweat a lot, so if you sweat in your shoes rather than in your socks (which can be washed, phew!), the shoes absorb the sweat which make them smell. trust me, always wear socks, and buy cleanable sandals.

Answer 2

Bare Feet In Shoes

Answer 3

You pretty much answered it yourself; if you wear socks, those absorb the sweat and since you can remove the socks and wash them, it's much easier to keep the smell down. Btw, it is not the sweat itself that smells bad; it's when bacteria break down the sweat in anaerobe circumstances (with little or no oxygen) that produces the strong odor. That's why bare feet on a hot day that haven't been inside shoes don't smell, and why most people with sweaty feet can still wear open shoes without causing a foot odor problem (although there can be places underneath the straps & soles where there isn't enough oxygen for the sweat to dry out before it gets broken down).

Answer 4

that's why we all need pedicures, you don't have to spend a lotta money to have one, just buy a dish pan at walmart, fill with warm water, add dish soap, I like dawn, only because it cleans really good, let soak for the minutes. get in flip flops, go to bathroom, pour out water, notice how the soapy water smells like dirty feet, next rinse dish pan with hot soapy water. Next,fill pan again with warmer water and sea breeze or just plain rubbing alcohol, soak feet for ten minutes. Next, rinse feet in plain warm water, cut toenails, polish with clear then color. allow feet to air dry for ten minutes, then message with lubriderm advanced therapy lotion and leave on an hour at least......let your feet have a day or air, they can get a really smelly problem from being inside socks and shoes all week. Next every day place the shoes you are not wearing in a window seal for freshness, good luck...and to add something extra to you pedicure, buy a hard brush, to scrub heels with and the top and sides of the feet, getting old skin off is much harder than you think....if you buy a wire brush, be gentle, but this is what I use, and it's great, just a small wire brush not one for removing paint....you can buy those a walmarts also. mine is about the size of a toothbrush.....

Answer 5

it's the sweat from your foot being absorbed into your shoe, not into your sock. that's why even if you wear socks, shoes start to stink after a while.

Answer 6

no i always use the spray in my shoes i don't really need it but i want to keep them for a long time i use peds with shorts or little socks that match, never worn shoes without socks.

Answer 7

You answered your own question. It's kind of like thinking out loud. Everyone thinks you're talking to yourself but you're just solving a problem out loud instead of in your head.

Answer 8

That's why I can't understand why women wear heels with no stockings. They will have smelly shoes!

Answer 9

u got it in 1

Answer 10

you basically answered your own question~ good job!

Thanks for the 2 points!

Happy Monday