4 ms·

One of the really day-to-day useful uses of Boric Acid (I believe borax is also effective) is to add it in powdered form to shoes to kill any bacteria growth.

by Renaud 5y ago

One of the really day-to-day useful uses of Boric Acid (I believe borax is also effective) is to add it in powdered form to shoes to kill any bacteria growth. I started doing this a few years ago after watching a video from Big Clive where he mentioned it, and it has really made a difference. No more smelly shoes, socks or feet and no fungal growth. Seems silly but living under the tropics and macerating in closed shoes all day does have these rather annoying side effects, and whatever shoes you wear, sweat and a warm environment are a breeding ground for bacteria. Adding about half a teaspoon of powdered boric acid to each shoe at least a couple times a week makes a huge difference. Best is in new shoes, they will smell like new even a couple of years later. I'm not even exaggerating when I say that at the end of a long day, socks only smell of fabric softener and feet smell of well, nothing.

ninetenfour 5y ago
Another solution is the spray them with isopropyl alcohol. I do this with sandals if they ever start to smell. Works great. Smells for a bit while it evaporates but then it is fine. Boric acid still makes nervous but it is completely safe?
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- Renaud 5y ago
  Boric acid is very inert. It tastes like chalk. The Wikipedia page says there are some some/weak evidence that it could affect reproductive systems, but you would need to ingest it for any effect (and a lot of it apparently). It's not toxic otherwise. You need very high concentrations: lethal dose is 2.6g/kg. To put that in perspective, table salt is lethal at 3g/kg. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid
amelius 5y ago
Would this also help against yellow(ish) toenails?
- rhplus 5y ago
  That sounds like nail fungus. Consult a doctor if you want to treat it effectively. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/nail-infections.html https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/nail-infections.html
  - Scoundreller 5y ago
    But would keeping your shoes fungus free keep your toenails fungus free?
- Renaud 5y ago
  Might be worth trying. Might not solve the issue if it's already there but could well help preventing it somewhat, although I don't know what cause this condition though. I've had fungal infections in the past, between the toes mostly, but it's a thing of the past now. Nothing in the past 5 years. Have a look at Big Clive's video on "Fixing your feet": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPLwczrGikM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPLwczrGikM
- ryandvm 5y ago
  Probably not. Sounds like toenail fungus. I've had it and it is basically only treatable with oral Lamisil - which is nasty stuff, but does work well.
gruez 5y ago
>Adding about half a teaspoon of powdered boric acid to each shoe at least a couple times a week makes a huge difference. Wouldn't that lead to a powdery build up after a while? Do you need to eventually shake out the powder?
- robbedpeter 5y ago
  It dissolves in water. You'd want to spray them down or wash them occasionally, but your sweat would effectively put it in solution and walking would distribute the solution throughout the inside of the shoe. Most probably gets removed by feet and socks each day.
- Renaud 5y ago
  Depends on the shoe and the amount. I mostly wear sneakers and never had any build up. You just put a bit of powder and shake it in the shoe. Humidity will dissolve the powder, some will wick into socks, protecting them as well. If you still see some in the shoe then no need to add more. Best is to try it and make your own experience. Boric acid is quite cheap.
londons_explore 5y ago
Are you not concerned about testicular atrophy? That's the reason it's banned in the EU...
- Renaud 5y ago
  The studies are done on rats ingesting high doses of Boric Acid, every day for weeks. The Wikipedia page also mentions testicular atrophy was noticed in dogs after ingesting 32mg/kg body weight for 90 days. That's like a human eating about 2g of the stuff every day, on par with your needed daily intake of salt. That would be a lot of boric acid... In our case were only concerned with external application and there doesn't seem to be any noted effect there.
- riffic 5y ago
  you're not going to absorb enough through your feet to have that effect. get a grip.

by Renaud 5y ago

ninetenfour 5y ago

Another solution is the spray them with isopropyl alcohol. I do this with sandals if they ever start to smell. Works great. Smells for a bit while it evaporates but then it is fine. Boric acid still makes nervous but it is completely safe?

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
Renaud 5y ago
Boric acid is very inert. It tastes like chalk. The Wikipedia page says there are some some/weak evidence that it could affect reproductive systems, but you would need to ingest it for any effect (and a lot of it apparently). It's not toxic otherwise. You need very high concentrations: lethal dose is 2.6g/kg. To put that in perspective, table salt is lethal at 3g/kg. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid

amelius 5y ago

Would this also help against yellow(ish) toenails?

rhplus 5y ago
That sounds like nail fungus. Consult a doctor if you want to treat it effectively. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/nail-infections.html https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/nail-infections.html
- Scoundreller 5y ago
  But would keeping your shoes fungus free keep your toenails fungus free?
Renaud 5y ago
Might be worth trying. Might not solve the issue if it's already there but could well help preventing it somewhat, although I don't know what cause this condition though. I've had fungal infections in the past, between the toes mostly, but it's a thing of the past now. Nothing in the past 5 years. Have a look at Big Clive's video on "Fixing your feet": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPLwczrGikM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPLwczrGikM
ryandvm 5y ago
Probably not. Sounds like toenail fungus. I've had it and it is basically only treatable with oral Lamisil - which is nasty stuff, but does work well.

gruez 5y ago

>Adding about half a teaspoon of powdered boric acid to each shoe at least a couple times a week makes a huge difference. Wouldn't that lead to a powdery build up after a while? Do you need to eventually shake out the powder?

robbedpeter 5y ago
It dissolves in water. You'd want to spray them down or wash them occasionally, but your sweat would effectively put it in solution and walking would distribute the solution throughout the inside of the shoe. Most probably gets removed by feet and socks each day.
Renaud 5y ago
Depends on the shoe and the amount. I mostly wear sneakers and never had any build up. You just put a bit of powder and shake it in the shoe. Humidity will dissolve the powder, some will wick into socks, protecting them as well. If you still see some in the shoe then no need to add more. Best is to try it and make your own experience. Boric acid is quite cheap.

londons_explore 5y ago

Are you not concerned about testicular atrophy? That's the reason it's banned in the EU...

Renaud 5y ago
The studies are done on rats ingesting high doses of Boric Acid, every day for weeks. The Wikipedia page also mentions testicular atrophy was noticed in dogs after ingesting 32mg/kg body weight for 90 days. That's like a human eating about 2g of the stuff every day, on par with your needed daily intake of salt. That would be a lot of boric acid... In our case were only concerned with external application and there doesn't seem to be any noted effect there.
riffic 5y ago
you're not going to absorb enough through your feet to have that effect. get a grip.