How to Stop Football Boots Smelling (Without Binning Them)

If you've ever opened a kit bag on a Saturday morning and recoiled, you're not alone. Smelly boots are one of the most common gripes we hear from football parents. The good news is that it's usually fixable.

Why football boots smell

Sweaty feet, wet pitches and a dark, closed kit bag make the perfect home for odour-causing bacteria. Synthetic boots don't breathe well, so the moisture stays trapped and the smell builds week after week.

5 ways to keep boots fresh

1. Get them out of the bag. As soon as you're home, take the boots out of the kit bag. Leaving them zipped up overnight is the biggest cause of the smell.
2. Knock off the mud and dry them slowly. Stuff them with newspaper and leave them somewhere airy. Never put them on a radiator, because the heat warps the soles and cracks the leather.
3. Take the insoles out. Let them dry separately, and give them a quick wash every few weeks.
4. Wash the socks every time. Damp, worn socks put the smell straight back into the boot.
5. Absorb the odour, don't mask it. Sprays only cover the smell for a few hours. Bamboo charcoal soaks up moisture and odour, so it actually deals with the cause.

Want a natural deep-clean too? Read our guide: How to Remove Shoe Odour from Kids' Football Boots & Sports Gear (Naturally).

How our Deodoriser Bags help

Pop a DeadLaces Deodoriser Bag into each boot after training and leave it in. The bamboo charcoal starts working straight away and has an Ocean Fresh scent. Each pair lasts up to 12 months, and you recharge them by leaving them in the sun about once a month. They're plastic-free, reusable and safe for kids' kit. They work just as well in kit bags, lockers and the car.

“24 hours in my son's boots and they smell so fresh and clean, no longer like something has crawled in and died in them!” – Louise

Offer: buy 1, get the 2nd half price

Right now, when you add 2 packs to your basket you pay £19.49 instead of £25.98, with the discount taken off automatically at checkout. That's enough for boots and trainers, or one pack per kid.

Shop Deodoriser Bags

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