One of the worst things to happen while wearing sneakers is taking them off and realizing it’s giving off an awful smell.
This was always one of the biggest reasons I would avoid wearing sneakers while traveling. Usually, I like to stretch my toes out during long trips, which is why wearing shoes is inconvenient to begin with. On top of that, I was aware that my shoes give off a little bit of a foul smell for a few hours post use.
Because of this, I stopped wearing sneakers altogether, and the old ones were kept in one corner of the house. On speaking to my best friend, Erica, about this, she explained how glad she was to have found sneaker balls to remove odor from her shoes.
Hi! I’m Stacy, and if you are as clueless about sneaker balls as I was back then, you’re in the right place. Erica explained sneaker balls to me in great detail and thus began my journey in trying some top brands. If you’re wondering, do sneaker balls work? That’s precisely what I am here to answer.
Now, without further ado, let’s jump into some deets.
Sneaker Balls - What Are They And How Do They Work?
Sneaker balls, aka odor balls, are like little deodorants for shoes. However, it is essential to remember that they cannot remove sweat but just reduce its odor. While there are plenty of other products, using a sneaker ball is a fast and efficient way of dealing with shoe odor.
A sneaker ball works just like an air freshener for a room. Once put inside the shoe, it will eliminate the foul smell and, sometimes, replace it with a fresh scent. One of the best things is that one ball can last for a while, so you don’t have to keep buying new ones.
The reason it is so good at eliminating foul odor is that it has baking soda. Some also have Cyclodextrin instead. Since agents like baking soda, charcoal, and Cyclodextrin are great at absorbing odor, they tend to become the ingredient of choice.
If you want to make a sneaker ball at home, you can use herbal tea bags to absorb the foul odor. In case the tea bag is a regular one with no appealing smell, feel free to cut the tea bag and add some baking soda to the mixture.
How To Use Sneaker Balls
- POWERFUL ODOR ELIMINATION: These sneaker balls deodorizer effectively eliminate bad odors; Our shoe odor remover tackles tough smelly shoes, ensuring your footwear and gear always smell fresh. Enjoy a clean, pleasant scent in any situation.
- VERSATILE FIT & USE: Compact sneaker ball design fits most places. Perfect shoe smell remover for all footwear, gym bags, lockers, and closets. Ideal for combating gym odor and keeping athletic gear fresh. Use anywhere odors linger.
- ADJUSTABLE SCENT CONTROL: Easily manage fragrance release. Twist to activate sneaker deodorizer balls and adjust intensity. Increase for strong odors or decrease for subtle freshness-you're in control. Customize the scent level to your preference.
- POWERFUL ODOR ELIMINATION: These sneaker balls deodorizer effectively eliminate bad odors; Our shoe odor remover tackles tough smelly shoes, ensuring your footwear and gear always smell fresh. Enjoy a clean, pleasant scent in any situation.
- VERSATILE FIT & USE: Compact sneaker ball design fits most places. Perfect shoe smell remover for all footwear, gym bags, lockers, and closets. Ideal for combating gym odor and keeping athletic gear fresh. Use anywhere odors linger.
- ADJUSTABLE SCENT CONTROL: Easily manage fragrance release. Twist to activate sneaker deodorizer balls and adjust intensity. Increase for strong odors or decrease for subtle freshness-you're in control. Customize the scent level to your preference.
Using a sneaker ball is not that complicated because, after all, it is just a tiny ball. However, here is a two-step walkthrough on using a sneaker ball:
Step 1 - Selection
The first thing you should do is select an appropriate sneaker ball. Not all of them will add a fresh smell, but some have deodorizing properties. Another benefit is that these balls come in packs, so they are always helpful for multiple shoes.
Step 2 - Usage
Once you have the desired sneaker ball, all you need to do is twist it a little and put them in the shoes for the night. By the next day, the shoes will be as good as new. Depending on the sneaker ball you have picked, the shoes will either have no smell at all or emit a pleasant fragrance.
Either way, there will be no foul smell, so the shoes will be ready to wear the next day. The only thing is to remember to take the sneaker ball out when putting the shoes on.
Are Sneaker Balls Effective?
Sneaker balls work like magic, so much so that it is a must-have for every sneaker lover (such as myself). When you look at me, it is impossible to tell that I love sneakers and used to have a great collection back in the day. However, since I used to love running and exercising, it would leave my shoes smelling bad all the time.
Usually, even if I kept it out in the sun to dry, a bit of smell would always remain, and so I tucked them away. When I used my first set of sneaker balls, it blew my mind as there was no residual smell. To top it off, it was ready to be used just the next day without the hassle of washing and drying.
FAQ’s
As mentioned earlier, most of the ingredients in store-bought and homemade sneaker balls are non-toxic products like activated charcoal or baking soda. The former used to be consumed, while the latter still is. So if your child has put it in their mouth, it will not prove fatal.
However, consuming these products in large quantities is dangerous, so consulting a doctor if consumed at all is advisable.
When it comes to pets, it is not the ingredients as much as the outer shell that is dangerous. Consuming even a little bit of the plastic shell can make your pet suffer. Additionally, an overdose of baking soda is dangerous for pets. Hence, if you put the balls in the sneaker, make sure your pets cannot reach them.
One of the best things about sneaker balls is that they have a long life. Not only do they come in packs but in various shapes and sizes that efficiently work for any shoe. And while they can be bought time and again, it is not required as they work efficiently for four-six months.
Final Words
And that’s all, folks; a short guide on sneaker balls for everyone whose favorite sneakers are tucked away in the house.Â
Giving up a pair of shoes because it tends to smell bad after use can be disheartening, but not anymore, thanks to sneaker balls. I would recommend using or making one with baking soda as the main ingredient as it is more efficient at odor control. Additionally, it will not cause any damage to the skin and is quite affordable.Â
On that note, I shall sign off. But, I will be back with many more such guides.
See you next time!