Why Your Sneakers Smell (and Why Fabric Spray Alone Isn’t Enough)

Ever wonder why your sneakers start to smell—sometimes after just one wear?
It’s not just sweat. It’s bacteria.

The Science Behind Sneaker Odor

When your feet sweat, the moisture doesn’t cause the smell directly.
The real culprit is bacteria on your skin and in your shoes that break down sweat and dead skin cells. This process releases volatile compounds—particularly isovaleric acid—which creates that sharp, sour odor we all recognize.

And the more enclosed and warm the environment (like the inside of a shoe), the faster bacteria grow.

Why Alcohol Works

70% alcohol—especially when derived from organic cane sugar—is one of the most effective and clean ways to kill odor-causing bacteria.
According to the CDC, alcohol concentrations between 60–80% effectively destroy most bacteria and some viruses by denaturing their proteins.

This means when you spray an alcohol-based mist:

• You’re not just masking odors—you’re neutralizing the source.

• The alcohol evaporates quickly, leaving no residue.

• And when combined with a light fragrance, you’re left with a clean, elevated finish.

What Happens When You Only Add Fragrance?

Using fabric sprays like fragrance alone to cover bad odors might smell “better” for a moment—but the bacteria (and the odor-causing compounds) are still active underneath. Over time, this can actually worsen the smell, as fragrance mixes with the existing odor, creating a muddled or artificial scent.

In other words: masking without neutralizing doesn’t work long-term.
It’s like spraying perfume over yesterday’s clothes—it just doesn’t feel fresh.

Fragrance Meets Function: The Ideal Solution

At In Your Glow, we believe in dual-purpose beauty:
A clean refresh fabric & room spray that smells amazing and supports a fresher, healthier environment around you.

• Kills 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria

• Made with 70% organic cane sugar alcohol

• Scented like your favorite luxury perfumes (Jo Malone, Diptyque, Dior-inspired)

• Safe for sneakers, bags, bedding, and daily touchpoints

Final Thought

Good fragrance is more than a scent—it’s a reset.
And freshness shouldn’t just cover something up. It should start clean.

Spray. Reset. Move on.
That’s what fragrance should do.