If you have toenail fungus or athlete’s foot, your shoes will contain fungal spores. This will need to be rectified instantly with the best shoe disinfectant spray that you can find. It’s the most effective way to resolve the issue, and is vital if you’re in the process of getting rid of foot fungus.
What is the best shoe disinfectant spray? There are reputable sprays that will disinfect and deodorize footwear. 10-Seconds, Footlogix, Dr. Blaine, Clear Gear, and Clarus are all highly recommended by experts.
Using an over-the-counter product such as 10-Seconds disinfectant spray is the only the beginning, though. You will still need to treat any foot fungus, and prevent it from returning with some basic lifestyle modifications. We will look at the best shoe disinfectant sprays, alongside advice and tips that will ensure fresh feet.
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Why Do Shoes Smell?
The human foot contains around 250,000 different sweat glands. As you can imagine, this means that a great deal of sweat is produced on a typical day.
Shoes trap this sweat in a warm, enclosed location. This, in turn, becomes a haven for bacteria and fungus to live and multiply.
This issue is magnified if somebody lives with toenail fungus. As the American Society of Microbiology explains, bacteria and fungi often intersect. This means that shoes can become hosts to different types of fungi and bacteria.
How Long Does Fungus Live in Shoes?
In the right conditions, a fungus can live in shoes indefinitely. Shoes left untreated, and stored in a moist or warm location, will never stop attracting fungus.
To prevent your shoes from harboring fungus, you should alternate your footwear regularly and keep your feet dry. Avoid shoes that are too tight as well. These leave the feet unable to breathe, leading to sweat and all that entails.
If you notice fungus within your shoes, you must take action. An antifungal and antibacterial spray for shoes will kill any fungi and bacteria in your footwear instantly.
What is the Best Antifungal Shoe Spray?
If you have discovered fungus in your old shoes, nothing is gained by ignoring the problem. As well as making lifestyle changes, you’ll need to address the growth immediately.
The fastest way to achieve this is by investing in the best antifungal shoe spray. A quality product will kill any fungus in your shoes. Many include a deodorizer too, to get them to smell sweet again.
There are a handful of things to look out for when choosing an antifungal shoe spray, however. It’s important to select the right product to get results.
A top antifungal shoe spray should meet the following conditions:
- The spray must have antifungal properties, and not just act as a deodorizer. The latter will kill the smell of fungus but not the fungal spores themselves.
- The spray should act quickly, and work for a prolonged period.
- The spray should be environmentally friendly.
1) 10-Seconds Shoe Deodorizer and Disinfectant
We mentioned that an environmentally friendly shoe spray is preferable. This is where this antifungal spray from 10-Seconds comes in. This is the only shoe disinfectant on the market approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Despite this lack of harm to the environment, 10-Seconds spray is very potent. Never inhale the fumes, or apply them directly to the skin.
This spray is dual-action, meaning that it kills fungi and removes any smell. It also acts very quickly. Using the spray before bed will leave your shoes smelling and looking great by the morning. They will still need to be dried naturally, however.
10-Seconds shoe disinfectant is very impactful, and usually reasonably priced. It is well worth tracking down. You can click here to find out what customers are saying and check prices on Amazon.
2) Footlogix Anti-Fungal Toe Tincture Spray T7
This product focuses very much on the cause of fungi in shoes. The key ingredient in Footlogix spray is clotrimazole, a natural antifungal agent.
As a result, this product can be sprayed directly on the feet. This is advisable if a fungus is present on the body. It can even be applied between the toes.
Sprayed directly into the shoes, this spray is not the most impactful. The results are also not as instant.
If you need a fast remedy for everyday shoes, alternative sprays are superior. If you would like to treat a fungal infection directly, however, this product is wholly worthwhile.
Click here to find more about and get the latest pricing information for Footlogix Tincture Spray on Amazon.
3) Clear Gear Sports Spray
If you live an active lifestyle, you are more likely to experience shoe fungus. People that jog, play sports or even walk a lot will sweat through their feet.
Sportsmen should look into a shoe disinfectant tailored to their lifestyle. Clear Gear sports spray is arguably the most impactful.
If you struggle with athlete’s foot, this is arguably the finest over-the-counter disinfectant. Just remember, however, that it does not cure fungal infection.
Clear Gear Sport Spray” ensures that your training shoes will not smell, and kills any fungi. If you do not treat the cause, however, your shoes will suffer again. Click here to buy it on Amazon.
This shoe disinfectant can be used on any shoes, or any other sporting equipment. Although it doesn’t contain deodorizing agents, it also makes footwear smell a little more appealing.
Can I Use Lysol Spray to Disinfect My Shoes?
On paper, there is nothing wrong with using Lysol spray for shoes. This favorite brand of spray disinfectant has shown itself to be impactful in such a setting.
However, it remains advisable to use a specialist shoe spray such as those listed above. Lysol is a one-size-fits-all disinfectant, and not designed especially for shoes.
This means that, if used too frequently, Lysol may damage your footwear. It will also not help with any unpleasant smells. You’ll need to apply an antiperspirant to the shoes, which may or not be effective.
Lysol is perfectly serviceable as a short-term fix. If your shoes smell regularly, however, it’s time for a more specialist disinfectant spray.
How to Disinfect Shoes from Fungus
When the time comes to disinfect your shoes and deal with fungus, do it correctly. If you don’t take the right steps, you will not resolve the issue. You could make it worse.
- Leave your shoes outside in the sun for several hours. A fungus will not thrive in the sunshine.
- Use your antifungal spray treatment. It’s best to do this outside, especially if you have pets.
- Every spray is different, so follow the instructions. Some sprays work faster than others.
How to Disinfect Leather Shoes
If you have a pair of fine, expensive leather shoes, you’ll want to be extra careful. Such footwear can be easily damaged by unwelcome fungus.
Disinfecting leather shoes take longer than other footwear. Follow these steps for maximum impact:
- Clean the shoes very thoroughly, using soapy water and a soft cloth.
- Liberally apply your shoe disinfectant spray.
- Stuff the toes of the shoes with newspaper. This draws moisture out of the leather.
- Leave your shoes to dry in the sun for as long as you can manage without them. If you can leave them for at least a month, you’ll enjoy better results.
- Change the newspaper at least once a day during this process.
Disinfecting leather shoes and boots can be a long and arduous process. It remains considerably more cost-effective than replacing such high-quality footwear, however.
Preventing Further Fungus Growth in Shoes
Once your shoes are disinfected, they are theoretically free of fungus. This does not mean that your work is done, however.
According to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, toenail fungus impacts 14% of the population. If you are among this number, you must ensure that the problem does not return.
To keep your shoes devoid of fungus, follow these steps:
- Allow your feet to breathe – avoid tight, restrictive shoes.
- Wear socks with your shoes. This will prevent your feet from sweating directly into the shoes.
- Alternate your shoes. If you wear the same pair every day, they will attract increasing amounts of sweat.
- If your feet become damp, change socks and footwear ASAP. Consider applying a shoe deodorizer and disinfectant immediately.
- Do not wear another person’s shoes, or permit others to wear yours.
- Wash – and thoroughly dry – your feet regularly.
- Treat any symptoms of toenail fungus as early as possible to prevent spread.
- Treat any symptoms of athlete’s foot as early as possible to prevent spread.
You could also adopt a more natural approach to resolving the problem with foot fungus. Numerous home remedies can kill these unwelcome intruders.
Natural Treatments for Fungus in Shoes
If you prefer not to purchase a shoe disinfectant spray, other options are available. You can use many different items from home.
Be aware, however, that commercial disinfectant sprays are created for a reason. It is unlikely that you’ll find a natural treatment as impactful as a commercial spray.
If you do wish to use a natural remedy to clear up fungi within shoes, try the following:
- White Vinegar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Bleach
- Tea Tree Oil
Dilute these ingredients, and create your own spray bottle. You can then treat your shoes the same way as you would with a commercial spray.
Also remember that, while these ingredients with theoretically kill fungi, they won’t help any foul smell. You will need an antiperspirant spray, or another form of odor-eater.
Will Putting Shoes in The Freezer Stop Fungus Growth?
Placing a pair of fungus-impacted shoes in a bag and freezing them overnight renders bacteria inactive. You can then allow the shoes to dry in the sun the next day.
Have you noticed this key word in this, however? That’s right – freezing renders bacteria and fungi inactive, it doesn’t kill them.
Your shoes may smell slightly better in the short-term if you freeze them. It’s far from an effective, permanent solution though.
Will My Shoes be Disinfected if I Put Them Through the Laundry?
If your shoes can survive a laundry cycle, it’s a fast way to deal with fungi.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology suggest a 10-minute wash at a heat of 60 degrees. This, according to the journal, is enough to render a hospital uniform clean and sterile.
If this is potent enough for a nurse or doctor’s uniform, it should be good enough for shoes. Just be careful, though. Not many shoes thrive in a washing machine, especially at such high heat.
Will Steam Cleaning Disinfect Shoes?
Steam can be a natural antibacterial agent. This means that, in theory, you can steam out ant fungi in your shoes.
You’ll need a very high concentration of steam for this, however. Just boiling water on the stove will not cut it. You’ll need a specialist steamer.
You will also need to ensure that the material survives the steaming process. Suede, for example, can be damaged by steam.
How to Disinfect Shoes from Athlete’s Foot
Disinfecting shoes that are infected with the tinea fungus involves following the same technique as any other fungi. Wash, disinfect, and dry.
If you live with athlete’s foot, it is particularly essential that any footwear is disinfected. A study in the Journal of Athletic Training confirmed this.
A basketball team had their shoes examined, and a sanitizing agent added. This drastically reduced the levels of bacteria present.
You’ll need to be particularly vigilant about preventing recurrence of athlete’s foot. Wash and dry your feet regularly, alternate your shoes, and always wear socks that kill fungus.
