What can i spray in my shoes to kill fungus

Can it be anything more horrible than that nasty itch and smell on your feet when you get the fungus?

Yes, athlete’s foot spreading all over your shoes, gym equipment, laundry. And... even home. 

Discover how to disinfect shoes from athlete's foot and choose the perfect way for you to remove the microbes lurking in the shadows!

Table of Contents:

  • Can athlete's foot fungus live on shoes?
  • Do you need to throw away your shoes if you have athlete's foot?
  • How long does athlete's foot stay in shoes?
  • Here is how to disinfect shoes from athlete's foot
  • Does bleach kill athlete's foot in shoes?
  • Can you kill off athlete’s foot in shoes with anti-fungal detergents?
  • UV shoe sanitizers are an effective way to go
  • Does foot powder help get rid of athlete’s foot in shoes?
  • Does it help to let your shoes in the open air and sunlight?
  • Do essential oils kill off fungus from athlete’s foot in shoes?
  • Do apple cider vinegar and baking soda get rid of the fungus in your shoes?
  • How to keep fungus away from your shoes
  • How to prevent athlete's foot from spreading to your laundry

Can athlete's foot fungus live on shoes?

Yes! It’s the perfect environment for fungus! 

All fungal infections thrive in warm, moist, and dark places. And, let’s face it, unsanitized shoes after a workout or a long walk provide the perfect area. 

Wearing the same dirty shoes will likely enhance the fungal and bacterial infection on your feet and nails. 

What can i spray in my shoes to kill fungus

Do you need to throw away your shoes if you have athlete's foot?

Keep your smelly, stinky, sweaty feet away! Throw away those pesky shoes! You’ve probably heard it! 

Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus are to blame, but you don’t have to throw away your shoes! 

You can disinfect them and kill off Tinea Pedis (athlete’s foot), the fungus responsible for the odor, and your infected feet. 

How long does athlete's foot stay in shoes?

Hot, humid, filled with bacteria and fungi. Your athlete’s foot infected shoes can be the ideal home for microbes to multiply and thrive. 

Even after you’ve removed them from your feet. Unless you disinfect your footwear, fungi and bacteria can live long enough to trigger reinfections. This is especially the case if you wear the same shoes.

Here is how to disinfect shoes from athlete's foot

Disinfecting your feet before putting your shoes on can help keep an athlete’s foot at bay. But you will not be risk-free. 

At one simple stroll to the store, you will be able to find cleaning agents that disinfect and deodorize.

The usual banal shoe disinfectant or antibacterial spray will remove the spores and kill off the infection, removing the smell in the process. 

But there are many other solutions!

Does bleach kill athlete's foot in shoes?

A bleach solution is highly likely to destroy athlete’s foot fungal infection inside your shoes. However, bleach can be dangerous and can cause skin irritation or inflammation. 

What can i spray in my shoes to kill fungus

Can you kill off athlete’s foot in shoes with anti-fungal detergents?

Toenail fungus and athlete’s foot don’t stand a chance if you throw your infected shoes in the washing machine with hot water and anti-fungal laundry detergent. 

Clean shoes, purified feet, new socks, and you’re fresh!

UV shoe sanitizers are an effective way to go

UV shoe sanitizers, placed inside the shoes, eliminate fungi, bacteria, and other microbes within 25 minutes.

Does foot powder help get rid of athlete’s foot in shoes?

Bacterial foot infections stand no chance in front of foot powder. Foot powder is specially designed to weaken the cell membrane of the fungi. Hence, they will not replicate. 

Does it help to let your shoes in the open air and sunlight?

Yes. Dark, warm, moist environments are the ideal spots for fungus and bacteria to thrive. 

The perfect environment to destroy germs is outside, in the open air, and in the sunlight. Sunlight soaks the moisture, and fresh air removes the smell. 

What can i spray in my shoes to kill fungus

Leaving your shoes in such areas once a week is a good, healthy habit. But do not use this instead of anti-fungal methods. 

Do essential oils kill off fungus from athlete’s foot in shoes?

If you have leather shoes and you obviously can’t wash them in the machine, or if you want a more eco-friendly, natural approach, there are other ways! 

You can make your disinfectant spray from water and essential oils. According to scientific data, essential oils can get rid of Tinea Pedis.

What can i spray in my shoes to kill fungus

Tea tree oil is one of the most effective anti-fungal and antibacterial oils, and it’s highly effective on athlete’s foot, according to research. But, be sure to find the best 100% organic tea tree oil like WOW Skin Science's to experience its true benefits.

Do apple cider vinegar and baking soda get rid of the fungus in your shoes?

Your classic anti-fungal sprays will be effective against Tinea Pedis, and they can be antiperspirant too. But if you’re looking for a more affordable disinfecting product, this is the combo to try. 

Adding baking soda to your shoes before wearing them will absorb odor and destroy some of the fungal spores. 

If you prepare a disinfectant solution with apple cider vinegar and water and spray your shoes after each wear, even better! The odds of keeping bacteria and fungi under control are higher.

How to keep fungus away from your shoes

  • Always wear flip-flops inside unknown, moist areas. Make sure to dry your feet and disinfect them. The gym, the swimming pool are breeding grounds for foot fungus. 

    What can i spray in my shoes to kill fungus

  • Always disinfect your feet after a workout before jumping in your streetwear. 
  • Always disinfect your shoes and change your socks.
  • Always leave your shoes to dry before wearing them again. 
  • Always alternate shoes! As much as possible, wear different pairs of shoes from one day to another.
  • Always clip your toenails. Keep your toe clippers disinfected as well. 

How to prevent athlete's foot from spreading to your laundry

You don’t want that nasty fungus in your shoes to infect other areas. You don’t want that infection that causes blisters, burning, itching, and that fouls smell to replicate. 

That is why dirty, infected socks, gym bags, sports uniforms, towels, and other damp, infected textiles should stay away from your laundry. 

Here are some tips & tricks to keep Tinea Pedis away from your laundry and home:

  • Separate everything exposed to the fungus. Put it in a plastic bag and use anti-fungal detergents or natural solutions to destroy microbes. About 140°F or 60°C for your hot water should do the trick. 

    What can i spray in my shoes to kill fungus

  • Keep your gym bags and shoes clean, as we mentioned above.

Athlete’s foot can cause problems for your feet, toenails, for your shoes. It can even spread to your laundry. 

Not if you know how to stop it. Now you know how to disinfect shoes from athlete's foot! 

You’ll remove that pesky shoe odor, you’ll get clean shoes, and there are so many ways to do it. You can choose the one that’s for you!

How to disinfect shoes and get rid of bacteria and fungus? This guide will walk you through what is bacteria in your shoes and how to get rid of it. Disinfecting your shoes is an important step in keeping your feet healthy and clean.

Stinky and moist shoes are some of the signs of foot fungus or infection. In extreme conditions, the fungus infects toenails. It discolors toenails and they start growing crumbly and thin that you can easily pull them away from the nail bed.

Itching, peeling, cracking, and blisters in toes are some more signs showing that you may have a fungus infection.

Fungus and bacteria are responsible for causing infections in the feet. Many athletes suffer from this problem. An infected person can easily transmit the fungus to anyone who shares the socks or shoes with him/her.

You can even get an infection just by touching the contaminated surface of the shoe. The trapped moisture in shoes is the main reason that creates a breeding ground for bacteria.

In addition, warm, moist, and dark environment contribute to spreading the fungus. The dirt and sweat in the shoes provide optimal conditions for bacteria and fungus to grow.

That is what makes killing shoe fungus extremely important, especially if you are an athlete. You need to focus on both treating your feet and disinfecting your shoes. This is the best way to combat fungus and prevent infections.

Keep on reading to find out how you can disinfect your shoes from fungus and microbes.

Spray Disinfectant on Infected Shoes

The easiest way to eliminate fungus from your shoes is to use disinfectant. Thanks to some quality fungus killer available in the markets that can help you do the job instantly. Typically, bacteria are the main reason that causes fungal infections. The disinfectants target these bacteria and kill them.

The fungal infection also causes unpleasant stink if you have sweaty feet. The moisture or sweat produced from your feet serves as a breeding ground for the bacteria. However, using disinfectant is not only effective in killing microbes infecting your shoes but also deodorize your feet. Moreover, it reduces foot perspiration significantly.

Although any disinfectant with a label of “cure” is excellent to remove fungus from the shoes, Any major brand is an effective and trusted disinfectant to make your shoes bacteria-free.

The best part of using a disinfectant is its portability. It comes in a small bottle you can easily keep in your bag or carry it anywhere to use it at your convenience.

However, you must read the label before using any disinfectant to prevent any shoe damage. Bleach, for example, can have a harsh reaction with disinfectant and may hurt your shoe color.

Use Shoe Sanitizer

Like shoe disinfectant, applying shoe sanitizer is another good solution to get rid of the fungus and bacteria. There are plenty of shoe sanitizers you can find in the markets. They may work wonders when it is about killing and combating fungus in the shoe.

The high-quality shoe sanitizers include some powerful disinfectants that can kill bacteria in fifteen minutes.

Many people get fungus by just trying the shoes in the resale shops. The fungus can also cause infection if you do no clean the shoes or sterilize them.

Shoe sanitizers are typically anti-fungal sprays. Their strong anti-fungal formula keeps fungal infections at bay. The top shoe sanitizers, guarantee you to provide lasting recovery. They come with an infused ultraviolet light that kills both fungi and bacteria or any other microbes that hide or nestle in your shoes.

Spray Baking Soda or Vinegar on Your Shoes

No matter how bizarre it may seem to you, the remedy of using vinegar and baking soda is not effective but also tried and tested. Vinegar is popular for its high acidic properties.

Many people use their strong formula to get rid of bacteria and germs. The good news is that vinegar is equally beneficial when it comes to eliminating fungus and microbes from the shoes.

If vinegar does not suit you due to any reason, you can use baking soda as an alternative. Sprinkling baking soda on your shoes before wearing them will give you the same effect as vinegar. Baking soda is also an effective solution to reduce shoe odor.

Whether you use vinegar or baking soda, both make an easy and natural way to kill shoe fungus. You can also spray Apple cider vinegar on your shoes each time you are wearing them.

The convenient method of killing fungus is traditional and benefitted many people. Both baking soda and vinegar are portable and easily available in your kitchen.

Swap Out Multiple Pairs of Socks and Shoes

What can i spray in my shoes to kill fungus
If you are an athlete or your routine requires you to wear shoes for a long time, swapping out shoes after every 6 to 7 hours is a good idea. The idea is even more effective if you work in moisture-laden environments or sweat a lot.

That means if you keep a set of two pairs of shoes, it will allow you to swap out them throughout the day. You can wear one while keep the other pair out to get dry.

The same rule applies to the socks you wear the whole day. If your feet sweat a lot, wearing the same pair of socks may create a perfect environment for fungus growth. Unwashed or dirty socks also contribute to the growth of microbes.

Moreover, dark-colored socks allow bacteria and fungus to not only breed faster but also cause multiple infections. It generally happens because dark hues accumulate and absorb heat faster. That creates excess moisture and sweat in the shoes.

Remember that if you keep using the same pair of socks and shoes, you will not be able to remove the bacteria and fungus. No matter what disinfectant you try or what spray you use, the accumulation of heat and moisture will spoil your efforts.

In short, switching out socks and shoes daily is one way to prevent the conditions that may create a playground for fungus.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, fungus in foot can be a painful condition and cause you trouble in your day-to-day tasks. It is important to use the effective solutions to prevent infections. The given tips, in this regard are useful and easy to incorporate into your daily routine to escape fungus and bacteria.