Mycosis, or foot fungus, is a rather unpleasant problem. This is dryness, redness, burning, cracking of the skin, peeling of the nail plate. It is with this that you can encounter if you do not conduct timely preventive treatment of shoes. Disinfection of shoes against fungus at home is an integral part of taking care of yourself and your health. It must be carried out regularly. Various means can be used for this. It can be both specialized drugs and folk remedies that are available in every home.
The need for disinfection
The treatment of mycosis is a complex and rather lengthy process. You can take medications for months, try many folk remedies on yourself, but you can’t get rid of the problem. It is much easier to carry out maintenance work. Disinfection of shoes at home will help in solving this problem.
Most often, those who belong to the so-called risk group resort to disinfection. This is mainly a contingent of people who have long been at work in a humid, warm room (cooks, workers in baths and saunas, and so on), second-hand shoe buyers. This group also includes people whose body is weakened for various reasons (old age, long-term illnesses, decreased immunity, and so on).
Processing Features
Disinfection of shoes (clothing) is not a complicated process. But still, before you start processing, you need to familiarize yourself with the general tips and procedure. Processing involves the use of chemicals. Therefore, in order to comply with safety precautions, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment (gloves, medical mask).
Before proceeding with the treatment, it is necessary to check the effect of the product on the shoes. To do this, apply a drop of the composition in a hidden area. This will make sure that the product does not spoil the color, texture of the material. Shoes should be clean and dry. Only in this case can it be processed. Disinfection of shoes is carried out from the inside and outside. It is important to treat the entire surface completely, including hard-to-reach spots, the lower part of the insoles.
After complete processing, a pair of shoes is placed in an airtight bag, which is tightly tied and suspended in a dry, warm place where it should be for a day. After a while, the shoes are removed and allowed to air.
Experts recommend disinfection at least 2 times a month.
Shoe processing methods
To date, disinfection of shoes for fungal diseases can be carried out in one of several ways:
- Sprays This method is good in that the agent penetrates into the most inaccessible places, due to which the processing efficiency increases.
- Antiseptics. These are substances that can defeat a fungus. They can be special or non-core.
- Electrical devices. Not only disinfect, but also dry shoes. To do this, they simply need to be placed inside the shoe for 8-10 hours. Then you can immediately wear it.
Of these methods, everyone can choose the most suitable for themselves.
Types of funds
Disinfection of shoes for fungal diseases can be carried out using the following means:
- A formalin solution with a concentration of 15%.
- 1% solution of chlorhexidine bigluconate.
- A solution of vinegar 40%.
- Wet wipes with a disinfecting effect.
- Sprays of various manufacturers.
Before you start using expensive drugs, you can try more affordable folk remedies. They can be much more effective, not to mention the environmental side of the issue.
Fungus Vinegar
Disinfection of shoes against fungus is carried out not with ordinary table vinegar, but with a concentrated solution of acetic acid. Its content should be at the level of 40-70%. Such a liquid is aggressive and dangerous to the skin. Therefore, you can work with it only in latex (rubber) gloves. In addition, acetic acid can damage shoes. Therefore, first you need to check the resistance of the shoes to the solution. To do this, the product is applied to an inconspicuous area in small quantities. If all is well, you can start processing.
The whole process is carried out according to the following plan:
- remove the insole, laces;
- moisten a cotton pad in solution;
- to process the inner surface of the shoe;
- cotton wool moistened with solution is left in the toe of the shoes;
- clean the insoles with a napkin;
- handle the shoelaces (you can simply dip them into the solution);
- hide the pair in an airtight bag;
- Tie the bag tightly and leave in a warm place overnight;
- clean the workplace and remove gloves.
After work, it is necessary to ventilate the room. Shoes after at least 12 hours have been removed from the bag and allowed to ventilate.
Chlorhexidine
Disinfection of shoes against fungus at home using chlorhexidine is a more gentle option. The product can be applied to shoes using a spray bottle. And you can use a cotton pad (swab). When working with this tool, there is one important point. The pharmacy sells a solution whose concentration is only 0.05%. But to combat fungal diseases, a 1% solution is needed. You can buy it only in specialized medical stores.
Chlorhexidine is suitable for frequent use. The composition is odorless. Thanks to this, the airing time can be reduced.
Sprays
Manufacturers offer a wide selection of all kinds of sprays. Disinfection of shoes with their help allows you to suppress the development of fungal flora, destroy spores, remove other types of microorganisms. Thus, this treatment allows you to completely protect the shoes from the manifestations of pathogens.
Simultaneously with the removal of the fungus, the spray eliminates the unpleasant odor. It has an antiseptic effect.
Using the spray is easy. It is enough to spray the contents of the bottle on the inside of the shoe and the insole. As in other cases, the shoes are left for a day in an airtight bag. Some manufacturers offer a two-component product that must be mixed before use. Details of use are necessarily indicated on the instructions for each specific drug.
Use of electrical appliances
Shoe disinfection using electrical appliances is perhaps the easiest method. They work on the basis of ultraviolet light, which destroys fungal microorganisms and other pathogenic bacteria. The device does not have any dangerous effect on surrounding people (or animals).
For disinfection, the device is placed inside the shoe. Time may vary by manufacturer. One needs up to 8-10 hours, while others need 5 minutes.
In addition, a separate category of electrical devices for disinfection of shoes also has a drying function. After using the device, shoes can be worn immediately, without additional cleaning or ventilation.
Folk remedies
Acetic acid is not the only thing that helps in the fight against fungus. Disinfection of shoes can be carried out using other means, for example, ammonia, tar.
Use of folk remedies is necessary in the same way as purchased ones. After processing the cleaned shoes, a dampened cotton swab is placed in the toe of the shoe. A pair of shoes - in a package for a day. In the case of tar, of course, you do not need to rub it. Simply put a cotton pad with the product inside.
An important point in this disinfection is a persistent unpleasant odor. Therefore, processing is best done in a well-ventilated area, and even better - on the balcony.
You can use other means:
- Hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3%. Shoes can be wiped from the inside, or simply pour the product inside (if the type of shoe allows).
- Baking soda, which is poured into shoes and left there for a day. After time, the powder must be carefully removed.
- Flour, which is used on the same principle as baking soda.
- Potassium permanganate, that is, its weak solution.
- Alcohol (vodka) will relieve harmful microorganisms and unpleasant odors.
To achieve greater effect, disinfection of shoes can be carried out in several ways at the same time. Comprehensive processing will show the best results. This will be a good preventive work to prevent the appearance of fungal diseases. In addition, disinfection will have a beneficial effect even at the stage of treatment of the fungus.