Why flats smell

Follow my instagram millennialboss where I share my best money saving tips and ideas to make extra cash. You leave for work with perfectly clean flats and come home with sweaty and slightly stinky feet. I hate wearing ballet flats that are way past their time but I also hate having to buy new flats too often. Here are 10 ways to take care of your flats so you can wear them longer and keep them smelling fresh.

I actually wore these little pedi socks for two years and they keep your feet dry all day. They also help with blisters because they provide a little extra padding on the back of the heel. Sweat glands in the feet can produce up to half a pint of sweat per day. Soak up some of that sweat by applying powder either directly on to your feet or into your shoes in the morning. I used to use this trick when I was an athlete to stop my feet from sweating and getting blisters.

It works! Another hack is to put tea bags in your flats. The thought of using those magical beans for anything other than caffeinating yourself on a Monday morning might be hard for some hardcore coffee drinkers to grasp, but bear with me here. If you've ever done any perfume shopping, you've probably seen that little container of coffee left out on the shelf to rescue your sinuses.

Well, it's there to clear your palate — so to speak — after sniffing Eau de Moth Balls and Magnolia. The same technique works wonders in your shoes. After you've made yourself a cup of coffee, take two coffee filters and fill them with coffee grounds. Using string, ribbon, a rubber band or whatever else you have lying around, tie it up and put each little coffee pack in your shoes for a day or two. Just like at the perfume counter, the coffee will help freshen up your footwear.

Don't freak out. I know the thought of putting shoes — especially stinky shoes — anywhere near your frozen pizza supply seems kind of crazy, but this is actually a really good option to use as a quick shock treatment if the only thing you have around the house is some extra space in your freezer.

Shove your shoes in there for a few hours or overnight to minimize any odors. But please, put your shoes in a grocery bag or freezer bag before putting them anywhere near your frozen veggies.

Dryer sheets are the most underrated household item. Check out these natural ways to keep your flats clean, fresh, and odor-free all day long. Cedar wood is extra absorbent, which means it gets rid of both sweat and odors in your shoes.

Flats often begin to smell because the moisture from your sweat is a breeding ground for bacteria. Do any of you ladies have a fabulous tip for keeping your shoes fresh? How do you combat summer sweat when it comes to your flats? And don't forget Leave your question in the comments below, or upload it to the STF contact form! Get more style tips wherever you go