All shoes, especially once they’ve been worn several times, have one thing in common: they smell. So unpleasantly in fact that a study was conducted on shoe odor in which 18 % of Europeans complained about the strong smell of shoes in stairwells. All of which inevitably raises the question: Do shoes have to stink? The obvious answer would be yes.
Feet can’t help but start to sweat inside shoes. In fact, you might say that shoes create the perfect conditions for sweaty feet. Many people believe ‘the more sweat, the stronger the smell.’ But this is not correct! Sweat itself is odorless, although not entirely innocent when it comes to smell. After all, sweat creates ideal conditions for microbes. Consequently , it’s the combination of sweat and bacteria, and ultimately their by-products, which tend to make people hold their noses when someone removes their shoes.
How strong the smell of sweat is perceived is highly individual. For instance, men perceive smells differently than women, Asians differently than Europeans. Both sensory investigations and analytical methods can be used to measure such perceptions. Sensory examinations provide subjective results, while organic examinations quantify connections.
They don’t call them ‘cheesy feet’ for nothing!
In fact, analytical measurements reveal that the same molecules in shoes are also responsible for the typical smells of gorgonzola, cheddar cheese and blue cheese. These molecules are better known to scientists as 2-heptanone and 2-nonanone.
Never fear, there is hope! Both forstairwells and for your favorite shoes
People who wear shoes treated with Sanitized® contribute to better-smelling stairwells that no longer reek like smelly feet. Specific studies have demonstrated that shoe odor is significantly lessened in shoes treated with Sanitized®. The use of GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) has shown that there are significantly more odor molecules and bacteria in normal shoes than in shoes with the Sanitized® hygiene function.
As a result, the unpleasant odor was not present in these shoes.
In fact, a Sanitized® treatment not only provides more wearing comfort and confidence but also improves shoe freshness and cleanliness. Not that those who wear Sanitized® treatedshoes should not; make an effort to clean them regularly, this is still a good idea. Even so, thanks to the built-in treatment the unpleasant odor is permanently and efficiently reduced. By applying the treatment during the footwear manufacturing process, optimal protection is guaranteed. So, returning back to our original question: Do shoes have to stink? The correct answer is: Definitely Not!
Stinky shoes are a no-go for you?
No problem, thanks to the Sanitized® hygiene function. Learn more about the strategy behind the technology – in a speech by Christine Niklas, Product Manager SANITIZED AG, at Techtextil Forum 2019.
