Advice on Teenage Boy's Sweaty/smelly Feet!

I agree with the baking soda 100%. I had a kid who wanted her feet to smell pretty, so she sprayed her shoes with perfume. Not a good idea, because it created stinky feet and shoes. I sprinkled her shoes lightly with baking soda several times a week for a while and eventually it all went away.

J.,
Try having your son soak his feet in vinagar and water for about 5 to10 minutes. Good Luck!

G.

Make sure he has enough pairs of shoes to alternate them, and on their days off make sure they can dry completely, stuff loosely with newspaper and put in a good spot to dry.

If you use fabric softener on his socks, stop. It makes cotton less absorbent (same goes for towels, bibs, bath mats etc.) Maybe the socks can soak up more of the moisture into the fibers and repel less back into the shoes.

My daughter's soccer shin guards used to stink so bad I swear they could stand up by themselves! I started having her spritz them with original Listerine mouthwash (the brownish-orange colored kind) which knocked the smell out.

I also took some unscented baby wipes and poured 1/3 bottle of her favorite Bath and Body Works spritzer into the container over the wipes. After a match, she'll wipe down her face, arms, shins and feet. I think they make some scents suitable for guys but haven't been to the store lately so I can't give you specifics.

Oh I know such problems. First of all give him enough pairs of shoes. Moreover: I've made best experience with so called cedarsoles. Cedarsoles are made from cedar wood and they'll give your shoes a menthol like odor. Without any chemicals - 100% nature. Also useful to prevent your son from getting any kind of foot diseases (athlete's foot, nail fungus).

Maybe you try this. Hope it could be helpful. You can find such soles online in some onlinestores.

I have no idea if it'll work, but I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah tell someone to soak their feet in tea (fill a dishpan with hot water, steep 2 or 3 regular tea bags for a few minutes, then remove them and soak your feet). Good luck!

This hint is from DoctorOz.com:
It's no wonder that feet smell. As soon as man donned shoes to better traverse the terrain, we prevented the evaporation of a quart of sweat released from thousands of sweat glands each day. Closing up the feet creates a dark, moist, warm environment that bacteria love.

BO Busters

Wear socks made of cotton or other wicking material that can absorb perspiration
Use dehydrating foot powder and footpads that contain activated charcoal that absorbs odor
Use a tea soak 30 minutes every day for a week to allow tea tannins to constrict sweat pores
Go barefoot or wear open sandals when you can
Try adding a few drops of essential oils such as tea tree, sage and clove to a footbath containing arrowroot and baking soda
Rub some rubbing alcohol on feet at bedtime

This is expensive, but I find that it works really well. He could put it directly on his feet and in his shoes. It's also natural. I get it at our local health food store. It's called Crystalux crystal deodorant. It can also be used under the arms, etc. If his sneakers are already really smelly, I'm not sure how well it will work. I put it in my own shoes and my son's shoes daily. My son gets very sweaty feet, and he's only 2 1/2 y.o.

Best of luck.

Peace,
S.

Try this: works very well and takes away all of the smell!

Earth Therapeutics
Tea Tree Oil Foot Spray $9.00
Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil Foot Spray is a natural herbal treatment specially formulated with naturally antiseptic, deodorizing and healing Tea Tree Oil. This refreshing, botanical formula contains peppermint oil and wild mint to cool skin and enhance circulation, while aloe vera and chamomile soften…

Water, water, water... make sure your son is well hydrated, especially if he's doing sports. That should help!
Good luck!

Dr Oz says to have them soak their feet in tea.

Remind him to totally wash and dry his feet. Even if he has to use a hair dryer. In the summer he can spray deodorant to also help..

I was looking at your responses to see if anyone mentioned this tip I received recently. I have not tried it yet, and it sounds a little strange, but might be worth a try. I have a 14 year old boy and a husband with stinky feet at times! I'd love to hear if it works! I was told that the freezer kills all sorts of odor causing bacteria in 24 hours. So, you are supposed to put the shoes (Yuck!) in a trash bag and tie the bag at the top and put the trash bag in the freezer for overngiht to 24 hours and the smell would be completely gone from the shoes. I am assuming that if the bacteria is still on the feet, it will continue to be a vicious cycle, but that could be worth a try...? i also saw the Dr. Oz show and maybe give the tea a try while the shoes are freezing...? Good luck!

Hey there - I actually work for a company called Zero Odor, and we've had tons of moms use our product in teen boy smelly shoes. If you want to give it a try you can order it at http://zeroodor.com .

Good luck!!

K.

baking soda works, I have heard that tea does as well it just stains your feet for a while. You can get the extra strength type of deodorant as well, professional strength, the dr can also give you something, basically it is roll on deodorant that costs way more. Be sure to use baking soda right after the games, leave them in a cool area let it soak in and might have to buy more than 1 pair of shoes.

I've heard both soaking in vinegar or tea works. You'll have to let us know what works for you.

I am a teenage boy and I use gold bond foot powder and it keeps my feet from sweating i highly recomend it.