Most of us wash our clothes after each use, correct? OK… maybe for some of us it is after a few wears, but… they still get washed!
So… why do we wear our shoes day after day without even thinking about cleaning them?
What is the most effective way to clean them? Simple. Clean them with The Best Shoe Sanitizer!
The BEST Shoe Sanitizer: Why Do You Need One?
Both toenail fungus AND Athlete’s Foot (a.k.a. foot fungus) are prevalent conditions that can cause both embarrassment and foul odors. Who wants this? Definitely NOT me!
If you review the risk factors for toenail fungus, which also applies to Athlete’s Foot, you will see that sweaty feet and poor shoe ventilation magnifies your chances of contracting both.
And… if you already have either foot or toenail fungus, did you know that those tiny spores flake off of your feet and toenails into your shoes (even when you are wearing socks)?
The dark, warm moist environment of your shoes is simply a breeding ground for the fungus. They LOVE this… and they can survive independent of your feet for months in this condition.
This makes it almost impossible to successfully treat your condition with any treatment because you are constantly re-introducing the fungus to your feet!
Do your shoes smell? Don’t laugh! This is a common condition and it is called bromhidrosis. Many people suffer from this condition… People both WITH and WITHOUT fungus!
There IS a solution… you CAN eliminate these problems! There are devices called shoe sanitizers! But… how do we find the best shoe sanitizer?
First things first…
What is a Shoe Sanitizer and How Does it Work?
What IS a shoe sanitizer?
Here… I will attempt to break down exactly what a shoe sanitizer is and how the use of one can help you.
To begin… a shoe sanitizer is a product used to disinfect your shoes.
It has the capability to
eliminate not only particles of toenail fungus, but also other types of fungus that can lead to athlete’s foot as well as unhealthy bacteria that can lead to smelly feet and shoes.
Think of EVERYTHING we put our shoes through!
Whether we are talking about work boots, gym shoes or our favorite pair of casual shoes, we wear shoes over and over and over again!
Our feet naturally perspire! Why would we NOT want clean shoes?
If you have toenail fungus that you are currently treating, had toenail fungus that you just got rid of and don’t want to contract again, have Athlete’s Foot, bought a good pair of used shoes and don’t want to contract any diseases OR just have smelly shoes and feet that you are wanting to eliminate, a shoe sanitizer is the product that you are looking for!
There are a wide variety of shoe sanitizers on the market today, but basically a shoe sanitizer works in one of two ways.
It can either utilize ultraviolet light (UVC) OR gentle ozone heating OR both to kill off the odor-causing bacteria and fungus that resides within our shoes.
These are the same concepts that hospitals utilize when sterilizing medical equipment.
How Do You Find The Best Shoe Sanitizer?
Have you googled Shoe Sanitizers? Are you overwhelmed at all the products offered?
With many brands out there, how do you know which one is the BEST shoe sanitizer?
Hopefully, I can provide you with information that will aid you in making an informed purchase to ensure that both your problems are solved AND you are not throwing your hard-earned money away.
Feel free to read more about me HERE. I am a podiatric physician that LOVES what I do and I have LOTS of experience in this category.
Referring people to products that work is my job… I would NOT put my name behind any item that would disappoint!
Here we go…
Features to Evaluate for The Best Shoe Sanitizer
Some features that you need to look at while searching for the best shoe sanitizer for you include the following:
- Size – You ALWAYS want to make sure that whatever model of shoe sanitizer that you decide to purchase fits your size shoe. Some products will only fit certain sizes and some are marketed as a one-size-fits-all. This can be especially important if you plan on utilizing your device amongst family members and/or friends.
- Types of shoes it can treat – Some sanitizers are made just for certain types of
shoegear such as boots, etc. To me… you definitely get more bang-for-your-buck when your device can be utilized with ANY type of shoe. Most of the products that offer this versatility will come with a protective bag which provides the ability to utilize the device with a multitude of shoe styles including boots, sandals, tennis shoes and heels.
- Safety features – Because many sanitizers utilize Ultraviolet light (UV) to get the job done, we do have to be concerned about safety. UV light can damage the eyes if direct contact is made. You want to look for a device with an automatic shutoff AND that boasts a protective bag that you can utilize when using the product on a shoe style that does not completely cover the UV bulb such as sandals.
- Replacement bulbs – In any model that utilizes the UV light, you will eventually have to replace the UV bulb as its effectiveness will decrease in strength with time. This is expected as it is with any light bulb. Typically, with daily use, the bulbs should last about two years prior to having to replace. I will say, though, that in the lesser quality devices, I have seen bulbs having to be replaced every few months.
- Treatment time – Treatment time is definitely a variant amongst the different shoe
sanitizers available on the market. This may be an important factor to some and less important to others, but I thought that I would include this feature in something to evaluate amongst the products. Treatment time ranges from about 15 minutes up to 6 hours with the different devices. You do want to make sure to purchase a product that you will be compliant in using in order to really treat the condition that you purchased the product for. If that means that it needs to have a shorter treatment time, then please purchase a product that provides this! You need to be fully satisfied with whatever device you choose!
- Guarantee/Warranty – You want to find a product that is backed by its company! If a company is confident enough to provide a guarantee or warranty that the product will work… you have NOTHING to lose in trying their product!
I do want to warn you…there are many cheap products that either simply do not work OR break after your first couple of uses.
This is my field of expertise and I DO NOT WANT YOU TO WASTE YOUR MONEY!
How to Find the Best Shoe Sterilizer
When you spend your money on a shoe sterilizer, you want something that works and will last.
I definitely recommend that you utilize the above-features in your search to make sure that you are getting EXACTLY what you want.
I have purchased items in the past only to find myself disappointed in the end and I know what a bad feeling that can be… like throwing money down the drain!
You want a product that is economical yet highly functional!
Because I work with feet on a daily basis, I have already done my research on shoe sterilizers! I recommend them all of the time.
If you would like, feel free to click HERE to visit and read my personal product review of what I have found to be the best shoe sterilizer on the market OR you can click the link below to go directly and purchase my favorite, most efficient shoe sanitizer!
It has been tried-and-true with my personal patients and they are ecstatic with the results that they obtain by using this product.
Conclusion
Don’t let smelly feet and shoes and/or unsightly fungus take control over your life!
Find the best shoe sterilizer for you and use it!
This is such an informative post, thank you so much!
I had no idea that the state of your shoes could make such a big difference to your feet. I mean, it should be common logic, but I usually just check if my shoes smell okay and then I’m happy, but after reading this post I’m absolutely horrified 😛
Time to go sterilize some shoes!
Thank you for visiting my site Jeanri! I am so glad that you found this information useful.
People tend to basically just ignore their feet and shoes! I am so glad that I brought attention to you on the fact of just how much filthy shoes can impact your feet.
No worries though. These products (shoe sanitizers) solve this problem. If you would like, I have provided the link to my review on the best product in the market today for sanitizing and deodorizing your shoes. I have seen a LOT of unhappy customers with these devices, but this one will NOT disappoint!
Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. I am more than happy to help!
I was looking for my daughter, who has a problem with smelly feet but after reading all this I can see how it could benefit all of us. I have tried multiple products for her to try to eliminate the smell and even if they work it is only temporarily. Shoe sanitizers look like they may be the right solution to get for long-term success.
Do these sanitizers use any chemicals or possible irritants that bother sensitive skin? I see they use ultraviolet or ozone heating but is there associated cleaners involved as well? She has problems with many detergents used in the normal laundry so skin sensitivity is always a caution when it comes to her.
Thank you for all the great information!
Christina… thank you so much for visiting my site!
Children… especially around the age of puberty, generate much more sweat! Both of my daughters went through this as well! I can tell you that not only do my patient’s benefit from the aspect of helping treat their fungus, but our household has tremendously benefited as well from the use of one of these devices for the purpose of eliminating smelly shoes and feet!
My favorite shoe sanitizer is the SteriShoe UV Shoe Sanitizer! While some shoe sanitizers DO possess chemicals that could possibly cause skin irritations (especially with sensitive skin), this particular product utilizes NO chemicals OR possible irritants. So… your daughter should be fine and experience NO sensitivity issues.
I am sure, if smelly feet has been an issue within your household, that this product would definitely eliminate the condition! With most shoes, a single 15 minute treatment eliminates the odor. If the problem is REALLY bad, usually by the third treatment the scent is gone!
I am glad that you found this review. After you purchase, please come back and let us know about your experience! I know that you will be able to provide a good review because this product REALLY works!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
My feet get so disgusting and I didn’t even know this kind of product existed until I started browsing your website after reading your posts about toenail fungus. I could have used this so many years ago, but it’s never too late! Sadly, the hotter climate I live in, the more disgusting my feet and shoes get. I try to wear flipflops all year but even those get sweat-drenched! Nice to see there’s a way out!
Hello! Thanks for visiting! I hope you found your browsing easy and educational!
Shoe sanitizers are AWESOME! I simply do not know what I did before I started utilizing mine. They are not only great to prevent the occurrence or re-occurrence of toenail fungus, but are equally beneficial for Athlete’s foot AND stinky, smelly shoes!
It sounds as though the climate you live in does put you at an increased risk for toenail fungus! I discuss this in a post that I wrote regarding The Risk Factors for Toenail Fungus! Please feel free to read.
Also… as far as individual shoe sanitizers go… I do have my favorite! It is called the SteriShoe UV Sanitizer. This product is both tried and proven by both myself and my patients alike. There is no ozone odor and it is by far superior to its competitors. Feel free to check that out as well!
As always, should you think of any questions or concerns with this or any page on my site, feel free to comment and I will get back with you! I truly LOVE helping people!
Merry Christmas!
This is a very informative and useful article on shoe sanitizers and I learned a lot from it. Fortunately, I don’t have this kind of problem (or at least I think so :)), but I could imagine what people who have one go through. Now that I know how poor shoe maintenance can affect our feet, I might try a shoe sanitizer just in case for prevention. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for visiting my post, “The Best Shoe Sanitizer – Does it Exist?” I am so glad that you found it informative AND that you do not suffer from any of the mentioned conditions.
I absolutely do recommend shoe sanitizers for preventative measures against toenail fungus, Athlete’s Foot, stinky feet and a whole host of other foot conditions. You will NOT be disappointed in your results AND it will ensure that you will never have to suffer from these often embarrassing conditions.
Should you decide to purchase, I absolutely recommend the SteriShoe UV Shoe Sanitizer. It is by far the best shoe sanitizer on the market! Please come back and leave us your own review of this product when and if you do.
Thanks so much for visiting and feel free to comment with any questions or concerns. I am truly here to help! ((: Have a great Monday!
Fortunately, my family doesn’t suffer from smelly feet or athlete’s foot but this post opened my eyes to level up hygiene. Most often, we tend to neglect some practices especially if we think we don’t need it because it’s not bringing any problems at present.I personally hand wash our shoes except for leathers. Sanitizing is a whole new different level because you are killing bacteria inside the shoes. I never thought about this since shoe sanitizers aren’t advertised well in our country. Thanks for sharing this information and I would try to look at some recommendation. Is it ok to use 1 sanitizer for the family or should it be a personal equipment?
Hello MissusB! Be grateful that your family doesn’t suffer from either smelly feet or athlete’s foot at this time! What a blessing! It is still a great idea to be pro-active though to ensure that it stays that way! As far as your question goes, it is normally NOT recommended to share shoe sanitizers; however, the shoe sanitizer that I routinely recommend, The SteriShoe UV Shoe Sanitizer, is 100% safe to share with friends and family! That is one of the many reasons that this product is my absolute favorite! You can REALLY get a bang for your buck!
I never thought of using UV light to sanitize my shoes. Thanks for pointing out this excellent product. I like that it is designed for multiple uses and has safety features to protect the person from directly looking at the bulb. I aslo like the idea of a scent pouch. I think this a much cleaner way of sterilizing your shoes than using a powder or spray since this could damage the shoes. Thanks for such an excellent article to help people. I definitely have smelly feet so this is a lifesaver.
Jay
Hello Jay! You are certainly welcome! Feel free to read my personal review on the particular shoe sanitizer that is most popular with my patients by clicking HERE and please let me know if you have ANY questions or concerns. I will help you in any way that I can… let’s get rid of those smelly feet!
Wow, I must confess that this shoe sanitizer is really worth reading. This issue of foot infection is a common one amongst our society nowadays, many with bad odour that irritates. This is a very educational post and I’m sure it will help so many people break free from this disgraceful issue. I know of Sim of my friends who complained about trying so many products and all to no avail, the bad smell still persist but now that I know of the best shoe sanitizer, I’ll share this post to them so they’ll also benefit from the sensible content of this article. I like it.
Good afternoon Jones. I am so glad that you found my article. Please let me know if you, or any of your friends, ever have any questions regarding this condition or any other condition involving the feet. I am here to help!
Thank you for your post. It is a timely article for me. I travel to China for about one month, where there are high temperature and humid, a perfect condition for breeding fungus. I suffered severely due to the toenail fungus.
I am not prepared for the conditions and have athlete’s foot. Now I know there is shoe sanitizer which can be used to kill the fungus. I am going to try this right now.
It is kind of you sharing this useful information with us. It is a nice product to carry with when traveling in the heat and humid environment.
Good evening Anthony Hu! I am so glad that you ran across my article. You are exactly correct. That hot, humid weather is the perfect environment for fungus to thrive. One thing that I love about the Sterishoe UV Shoe Sanitizer is that it is compact which makes it easy to travel with! Please come back after your vacation to give my readers your personal review of this product! I KNOW that you will love it!