Sports shoes cleaning is very important. This type of shoe is indeed more often used outdoors for exercising properly. That’s why the shoes will definitely get dirty. No one knows that bacteria stick to the shoes and it is dangerous for health, so it must be taken care of.
Differences Between Regular Shoes and Sports Shoes
Bacteria That Exist If Sports Shoes Are Rarely WashedThere are various types of shoes available today. Each type of shoes also has different functions, for example, sports shoes for exercising. When exercising, the shoes used should not be arbitrary. That is why sports shoes come with features tailored to the needs during sports activities.
These sports shoes are usually lighter and also more comfortable when used for exercising. The function of these shoes is different from regular walking shoes. To avoid making the wrong choice, understanding the differences is very important. By understanding the differences, everyone becomes more aware of the distinction between sports shoes and regular shoes.
Cushioning in Shoes
The first difference lies in the cushioning. As is known, sports shoes like running shoes must be comfortable when used at high intensity. That’s why the cushioning on these shoes is very different. Sports shoes usually have quite a lot of cushioning and are also thick on various sides.
The function of the presence of this cushioning is to protect the heel and the front of the foot. The goal, of course, is to reduce the risk of impact in the joint areas when running.
This feature is not necessary in regular shoes. Walking shoes have less cushioning in the heel area, allowing for faster walking. The cushioning of sport shoes cleaning needs to be taken care of properly. Because this will prevent injuries when exercising at high intensity.
Flexibility
Next, sports shoes with regular shoes are indeed different in terms of flexibility. This is another difference that must be taken into account. This difference is similar to how a baby carrier design adapts to specific needs.
Sports shoes generally have high flexibility. These shoes tend to be more flexible in the midsection and sometimes have added flexibility in the front. This is intended to make it easier for users to swing their football when running. This becomes an advantage because sports activities become much easier.
Unfortunately, these sports shoes also have parts that are not flexible. Therefore, these shoes are not good for use as walking shoes. The reason is that sports shoes have a special design to keep the feet stable while running. The feet don’t rotate much when stepping.
As for regular shoes, they generally have flexibility at the front of the foot. This is because walking shoes only need the toes to keep walking properly.
Heel on Sports Shoes
The next difference in sports shoes is the heel. The heel on sports shoes is usually different from regular shoes. Running shoes have a heel that is higher than the toe area. The purpose is to prevent excessive pronation from occurring when the user runs.
Additionally, the higher heel on sports shoes also aims to support foot impact when touching the ground, making it much more stable. Therefore, the heel feature of these shoes should not be underestimated.
On the other hand, walking shoes generally have a much lower heel. This is because these shoes are not intended for running, making them more stable. Unfortunately, many people still do not understand the purpose of the difference in shoe heels. In the end, they choose the wrong shoes for their sports activities.
If it happens continuously, it will affect the bones and joints in the feet. Don’t let yourself get injured due to negligence in choosing the right shoes.
Shoe Weight
The next small difference between sport shoes and regular shoes is their weight. Each type of shoe definitely has a different weight. For running sports shoes, they usually have a special design to make running easier. So, it’s not surprising that sports shoes are much lighter.
This is different from regular street shoes, which are generally heavier. However, some street shoes also have a lighter weight to ensure comfort when worn. However, don’t be deceived by the weight alone. Pay attention to other shoe features as well to avoid making the wrong choice and increasing the risk of injury.
Generally, brands or shoe stores also arrange sports shoes and regular walking shoes in different places. This way, it will be easier to find the right sports shoes. Proper care by professional shoe cleaning services can help maintain the condition of any shoe.
Availability of Flared Heel
Next, sports shoes also have a difference in the flared heel section. Flared heel refers to “a widened heel.” This is a difference that is still often overlooked. Flared heel is generally not found in regular walking shoes and is only present in running sports shoes.
A flared heel is a part that functions as an extra stabilizer in the midfoot and forefoot areas. This will be very useful when the user runs and lands on the ground.
As for walking shoes, they generally do not have a flared heel. The reason is that this part is not needed for regular walking activities. Because its function is to stabilize the foot, this part is indeed important for runners. This way, the risk of injury will be lower when exercising.
Unfortunately, this part is still rarely understood by the general public. In fact, the function of this part is equally important and must still be taken into consideration.
Why Should You Choose the Right Shoes?
Choosing the right shoes for this sport is very important. You should not be careless in selecting shoes to avoid any unwanted incidents. Much like how parents carefully select a baby car seat for safety, choosing appropriate sports shoes is crucial for preventing potential injuries.
There are many types of injuries that can be threatening. These injuries can even affect your life and prevent you from being active to the fullest.
Knee Injury
The most common type of injury is a knee injury. The knee is very important for a person’s movement. Knee injuries during exercise can cause symptoms ranging from pain to swelling. In fact, severe knee injuries can make the sufferer unable to move freely.
If you experience knee pain while exercising, immediately provide first aid by doing stretches and applying an ice compress. This will greatly help reduce the pain. If the condition does not improve and even worsens, further examination by a doctor is necessary. The doctor will then provide further treatment.
Syndrome of the Iliotibial Band (ITBS)
The next most common injury due to choosing the wrong sports shoes cleaning is Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). This is an injury often experienced during running. The main symptom of ITBS is tendon pain that connects the thigh bone and the lower leg bone (tibia). This pain can be very bothersome.
Just like general tendon injuries, this condition occurs due to inflammation caused by the feet moving too quickly, running too often, or weak thigh muscles. Therefore, the selection of sports shoes and movements must be carefully considered.
Use ice compresses to reduce pain from this injury. That’s why muscle strengthening and warming up before running are very useful to avoid the pain returning. Because this injury can return at any time. Now we understand the importance of warming up before exercising and not immediately doing difficult movements.
Tendinitis Achilles
Another injury caused by choosing the wrong sports shoes is Achilles tendinitis. This is an injury that can occur when running. This condition causes the connective muscles in the back of the leg or tendon to feel painful. This foot injury is generally accompanied by inflammation and results in pain and stiffness in the tendon.
The proper treatment when experiencing this injury is to rest the leg. Try to relax to avoid excessive pressure or pulling on the tendon. You can also relax by gently massaging the injured area. Then, apply an ice compress to reduce the pain.
If the pain worsens and swelling occurs, consult a doctor immediately. Because the injury might get worse and hinder movement.
Plantar fasciitis
Another injury is plantar fasciitis and just as proper shoe selection is crucial for injury prevention, proper shoe maintenance is also important. Sports shoes cleaning, whether done at home or by a professional sneaker cleaning service, must be done correctly so as not to damage their parts and cause plantar fasciitis. This condition causes heel pain due to inflammation. It usually occurs because of frequent running on uneven surfaces.
Finally, the soles of the feet that experience pressure from the surface due to shoes that do not absorb pressure become the cause of plantar fasciitis. Therefore, the selection of shoes must be precise to avoid this injury.
Plantar fasciitis will cause pain like other injuries. To reduce the pain, you can gently massage the soles of your feet by stepping on and rolling a tennis ball while sitting. If an injury occurs during exercise, rest your foot. Do not continue exercising until the condition improves, as it will worsen the injury.
Blister
Blisters are another type of injury that occurs due to choosing the wrong sports shoes. This is an injury to the surface of the foot skin that experiences a wound. The symptoms of a blister are bubbles on the skin filled with fluid. This is one of the most common injuries.
Generally, this condition occurs during an ultramarathon or other long-distance runs. Blisters occur due to friction between the surface inside the shoe and the skin.
Blisters are indeed minor injuries. However, their treatment must be proper to prevent the condition from worsening and the healing process from taking longer. Avoid intentionally popping the blister because the skin will peel off and cause a wound, much like how one would carefully maintain expensive leather shoes to prevent damage.
Shin splints
Another injury is shin splints. This is an injury to the shinbone characterized primarily by pain and swelling below the knee as well as in the front and back of the leg. The pain from this injury also varies greatly. It depends on the location of the injury, whether it is in the bone, muscle, or even both.
Generally, shin splints occur due to excessive pressure on the bones when running long distances. Over time, inflammation will occur and cause shin splints. This injury can reoccur in the future if there are mistakes in exercising. To avoid Shin splints from coming back, use the right sports shoes.
Those are various injuries caused by having the wrong shoes. Indeed, in sports, small details must be taken into account. If an injury occurs, don’t panic. Rest your body and try to relax so that the injured muscle doesn’t work too hard.
After that, provide first aid with an ice compress. If the injury is mild, the pain will completely disappear. However, if the pain persists, it means the injury is severe. Consult a doctor for proper treatment and diagnosis to prevent it from worsening.
Paying Attention to the Cleanliness of Sports Shoes
It can be seen that choosing the wrong shoes will cause injuries. However, this does not mean that the right shoes will not have other effects. In reality, sports shoes cleaning must be taken seriously. Because bacteria from the outside can attach and have side effects on health.
Many studies have shown that most shoes have millions of bacteria adhering to their surfaces. This is actually quite reasonable considering that shoes are used outdoors. Every object must have bacteria adhering to it. However, outdoor paths certainly contain more harmful bacteria, This is also a concern for the families with young children who use stroller.
So, it is indeed recommended not to wear shoes inside the house. This will contaminate the house and make it increasingly dangerous for health. Many people exercise to stay healthy. However, there are still many people who do not pay attention to cleanliness. Don’t let bacteria and germs from sports shoes enter the body and cause illness.
Here are some of the most commonly found bacteria on the surfaces of shoes:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
First, there is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is a superbug that can cause serious health problems. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is very interesting because it is resistant to ordinary antibiotics. When contaminated with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the body will weaken.
This superbug can cause serious infections. In fact, infections caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can threaten the lives of those affected.
Of course, these bacteria will not be visible to the human eye. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) will stick to shoes and transfer to the surrounding environment.
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Perhaps many people are already familiar with this type of bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the bacteria that many people already know. This bacterium resides and lives in the large intestine. When Escherichia coli (E. coli) increases in number, it can cause diarrhea and other infections.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) can stick to shoes due to exposure to the outside world. The number of Escherichia coli (E. coli) adhering to the surface of the shoes is not visible. When someone wears shoes inside the house, the bacteria will be left on the floor surface. Escherichia coli (E. coli) will multiply and infect people inside the house.
The consequences of this bacterial infection are very severe. One of the effects of this bacteria is diarrhea, which greatly disrupts activities. This condition will cause the sufferer to have continuous diarrhea. Ultimately, it will affect their health because they will become very weak, much like how neglecting boots cleaning can lead to long-term damage to footwear.
In severe cases, the patient may even experience dehydration. This will be very dangerous, and many will need to receive treatment in the hospital.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
The next type of bacteria is Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This is a bacterium that can cause various digestive problems. Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) can adhere to the surface of shoes.
This bacterial contamination can cause serious health problems. People contaminated with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) will experience symptoms ranging from diarrhea to inflammation of the large intestine. Exposure to this bacteria is indeed more serious. In fact, the most severe cases can be life-threatening, making it very important to avoid.
Klebsiella pneumonia
The next type of bacteria resulting from inadequate sports shoe cleaning is Klebsiella pneumoniae. This is a type of bacteria that is generally found in the human intestines. Klebsiella pneumoniae is usually not harmful. However, this bacteria can become dangerous if it enters other parts of the body, especially when one is already ill.
They can turn into super bacteria that are difficult to treat with antibiotics. As its name suggests, Klebsiella pneumoniae can cause pneumonia. In addition, Klebsiella pneumoniae can also infect wounds or blood and cause other serious problems. This dangerous bacteria can apparently cling to the surface of shoes.
This bacteria can also enter the urinary tract. Then, it will cause an infection and require hospitalization. The symptoms of this bacterial contamination vary. It all depends on the part of the body they attack and where the infection occurs.
However, the common symptoms that occur are fever, cough, pain in the infected area, severe headache, and others. When the symptoms do not improve after a few days, it could be due to this bacterial infection. .
Bringing Outdoor Allergens
Not only bacteria, but poor sports shoes cleaning can cause allergies to enter the house. Imagine shoe users have definitely walked in outdoor environments. No one knows what they have stepped on while walking. There is a high possibility that they bring allergens from outside into the house, similar to how careful parents are about maintaining cleanliness during a pram wash.
Many people suffer from seasonal allergies. They cannot be exposed to outdoor allergens and must always keep their windows closed or use an air purifier. However, all of that will be in vain if you wear sports shoes inside the house. Parts of trees, soil, and even grass can stick to shoes.
They will enter the house as allergens and cause allergies. This cannot be taken lightly because excessive allergies can be life-threatening.
Hazardous Chemicals
Next, inadequate sports shoes cleaning especially in DIY methods, can also cause health problems due to hazardous chemicals. Users are certainly not focused on what they pass by while on the road. Hazardous chemicals can be found anywhere. For example, the thick and green grass may contain pesticides within it.
The pesticide content sticks to the shoes when stepping on the grass. Eventually, the chemicals will transfer to other places the shoes walk over. Don’t underestimate these hazardous chemicals. Because these chemicals can cause serious health problems.
Avoiding Harmful Bacteria on Shoes
Bacteria and germs can stick to shoes at any time. In fact, the wearer might not even realize that their shoes are contaminated. So, it would be better to prevent it. Because bacteria, germs, and other harmful substances are definitely present in various places. When wearing shoes and walking outside, the risk of exposure increases. That’s why cleaning them needs to be taken seriously.
1. Don’t Wear Shoes Indoors
First, users can avoid the habit of wearing shoes inside the house. Avoid this bad habit so that germs and bacteria do not transfer to the floors inside the house. At least avoid using outdoor shoes indoors. If you want to continue wearing footwear indoors, then just differentiate them.
However, it would also be better not to wear shoes indoors. This will greatly help to avoid bacterial and germ contamination.
2. Cleaning Shoes Regularly
The next step is to clean your shoes regularly. Don’t let germs and bacteria linger on your shoes for too long. Clean your shoes regularly. Determine the cleaning schedule according to your needs, for example, once a week or once every two weeks.
However, sports shoes cleaning should not be done carelessly. This is because sports shoes have important components. When cleaning with the wrong technique, it can cause damage. In the end, the shoes will not be comfortable to wear.
That’s why paying attention to the sports shoes cleaning process is very important. If the shoes are always clean, they won’t easily get infected with bacteria and germs. To maintain the cleanliness of your sports shoes totally, you need to use professional services, the kind wash. the kind wash service cleans your shoes with a deep cleaning services technique that ensures your shoes are free from germs.
Cleaning Shoes the kind wash
If you’re confused about the correct shoe cleaning technique, you can use the services of the kind wash. Unlike regular laundry, shoe cleaning requires specialized knowledge and care. We are a company focused on cleaning and maintenance
The company the kind wash has an office based in Singapore. There are several services offered by the kind wash. One of its main services is shoe cleaning. For those in need of sports shoes cleaning, the kind wash is the right choice.
We have professional workers in their field. Customers can trust the kind wash to clean their shoes thoroughly. With experience in the field, the kind wash guarantees that the quality of your shoes will not decline. We use special techniques and safe cleaning products, much like a high-end laundry service that cares for delicate fabrics.
Here are the reasons why you should choose the kind wash as your trusted sports shoes cleaning service:
1. Offering Convenience
The first advantage is that the kind wash offers convenience. We understand that many people do not have time. Therefore, the kind wash offers a delivery service. So, customers can contact the kind wash to pick up dirty shoes for cleaning.
After that, the kind wash will also deliver the cleaned shoes back. So, anyone can enjoy the services of the kind wash. No need to bother with time management anymore. Everything can be done easily and practically.
2. Fast Process
the kind wash offers a quick cleaning process. Customers do not have to wait long for the sports shoes cleaning process. The processing time depends on the number of shoes and the queue. However, on average, the process takes less than a week. For a more detailed look at our offerings, feel free to check out the sports shoes cleaning service provided by the kind wash.
3. Competitive Prices
The next advantage of the kind wash is that it offers competitive prices. Compared to other sports shoes cleaning services, the prices offered by the kind wash are quite attractive.
Especially with the services provided, the price is very reasonable. Now anyone can wash their shoes properly. Surely, the kind wash will ensure that every part of the shoes is free of dirt.
That way, the shoes will be free from harmful bacteria and germs. So, don’t be lazy about washing your shoes. So, the quality of the shoes will be maintained even after they have been used.
Another service is baby gear cleansing. For those who don’t want to be bothered, they can use the kind wash services to clean their baby gear. the kind wash guarantees the use of safe equipment and cleaning materials for babies.
That’s why you should do sports shoes cleaning at the kind wash. Just as parents in Singapore prioritize clean and safe environments for their children, so too should they prioritize the cleanliness of their baby stroller Singapore. Sports shoes are definitely used outdoors and are exposed to dirt and germs.
F.A.Q
What types of bacteria are usually found in sports shoes if they are rarely washed?
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
- Klebsiella pneumonia
Why is wearing shoes indoors dangerous?
Shoes can track bacteria, germs, and allergens from outside, potentially causing infections and allergies.
What are some of the harmful bacteria that can be found on shoes?
Viruses and bacteria that can be found are MRSA, E. coli, C. diff, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
What are the factors that can cause injury when wearing shoes?
Shoes lacking proper cushioning, flexibility, or heel support can cause knee injuries, ITBS, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and blisters.