Tools: Vinegar, baking soda
Smells happen, either a great workout leads to a sweaty top you forget in your gym bag, or you haven’t got the time to air your closet. We got you! Here are some tips on how to prevent and treat damp and sweat smells in your clothes.
There are basic steps you can take to prevent smells from getting trapped into the fabric.
- Wash wet or sweat clothes as soon as possible and hang your laundry as soon as the washer finishes, don’t leave the clothes waiting too long inside the machine.
- Ensure your clothes are completely dry before putting them in the closet.
- Smell comes from bacteria. Baking soda neutralizes the acids that foster bacteria, and it also absorbs humidity which reduces bacteria propagation. You can put some soda sachets in your closet to absorb smells or use it to treat specific garments as described in our tips below.
- Give some love to your washing machine by cleaning it, emptying the filter regularly and do not overfill it with your laundry to make sure it washes and rinses effectively. Also make sure you use the right amount of detergent as recommended in our Top 5 washing tips.
- Sun is a natural disinfectant. Let your clothes line dry under the sun you’ll also help save energy.
Now what to do if the smell is already there?
- For not too critical smells you can add one cup of white vinegar to the laundry load along with your regular detergent.
- Alternatively, you can add half a cup of baking soda to your laundry load to boost detergent and reduce bacteria.
- If the smell is too strong, let your clothes soak in a water-baking soda solution. Dissolve 1 cup of baking soda in warm water. Fill your sink with cool water and let your garment soak overnight. Then wash your garment with the rest of the laundry and let it line dry.
How to get rid of smells in PUMA running shoes
Tools: Baking soda, tea bags, disinfection spray
Sweat and smell in shoes happens. We got you some tips on how to prevent and treat odors in your kicks.
There are basic steps you can take to prevent smells from getting trapped in the shoe.
- Let your shoes dry in a well-ventilated place every time you wear them, especially if they are sweaty.
- Ensure your shoes are completely dry before putting them back in the closet.
- Smell comes from bacteria. Baking soda neutralizes the acids that foster bacteria, and it also absorbs humidity which reduces bacteria propagation. You can put some soda sachets in your shoe closet to absorb smells or use it to treat specific shoes as described in our tips below.
Now what to do if the smell is already there?
- Usually, the smell source is the insole. You can put a tea bag on each shoe and let it absorb the smell overnight.
- Another possibility is to sprinkle the insole with baking soda and let it sit overnight. You can even place the shoes in a closed box. The next day remove the excess baking soda before wearing your shoes again.
- A third way is to spray a one-part vinegar one-part water solution or some disinfection spray on the insole to reduce the bacteria.
- If the insoles are removable (this is not always the case, so don’t force it or they could break), you can wash the insoles. We recommend doing this by hand and with low temperature to protect the insole layers from separating and let them dry completely before putting them back in your shoe. If the smell is not getting better, you might want to change the insoles for new ones.
