To be honest, I heard of sneaker balls long before I actually tried them. But back then, I couldn’t help but wonder: Do sneaker balls work or is it just another marketing gimmick?
Trust me when I tell you, once I tried them, I’ve never looked back. They have changed my life. And honestly, they are now probably something I can’t live without. Okay, sure, I’m being dramatic. But am I, though?
Because there’s probably nothing worse and more humiliating than when you take off your shoes in front of someone and find out that the awful stench is actually coming from your feet. Yikes!
“Oh my God, I am so embarrassed! Everybody probably thinks I’m a total loser. But what can I do? I had no time this week to wash my shoes, and I definitely can’t wash them every time they get a bit smelly.”
Sure you can’t, sweetie. Trust me, I totally get you. And luckily for you, there is a simple yet effective solution out there for you – sneaker balls!
This article brings you everything you need to know about them – how they work, what they’re made of, how long they last, and the best ones on the market currently. All you have to do now is make yourself comfortable, get your finger scroll-ready, and read on!
Do sneaker balls work? And how?
Right off the bat: Yes! Sneaker balls actually do work! It is not just another one of the successfully advertised products made with the intention to earn off of naive customers. These handy dandy thingies are very useful and exceptionally effective.
I personally love them. Granted, I was skeptical at first. But they have proven to be one of the best footwear accessories I have ever bought for myself. Almost every pair of shoes in my apartment has one of these inside. And I even carry them in my gym bag. You know how smelly gym sneakers can get, right?
But, how do sneaker balls work?
Well, think about your favorite air freshener. It releases a fragrance in the air that ends up masking the bad odor in the room.
Sneaker balls work on a similar principle. They absorb the foul odor from your shoes and replace it with a new and fresher smell.
Bear in mind that sneaker balls do not clean your shoes from sweat. They just mask it so the shoes are more pleasant to wear.
Sneaker balls are super easy to use. All you have to do (besides getting them out of their package, of course) is to twist them open to “activate” the scent. Then stick them inside your shoes and say goodbye to the awful smell – it’ll completely disappear in no time.
For the best results, leave the sneaker balls inside your shoes overnight. Trust me, in the morning your shoes will smell so good that you’ll want to brag to the entire city about your fresh kicks.
What are sneaker balls made out of?
Sneaker balls are usually around 1.5 inches in diameter. They have an outer plastic case that, as mentioned above, gets twisted to open and become functional.
The inside of the sneaker balls consists of certain absorbing chemicals that can be cyclodextrin, baking soda, or charcoal, and fragrances that are slow-releasing by nature.
There are all kinds of fragrances available on the market, so you’re bound to find one you like. And if you can’t decide, just select multiple! Why not?
And if you are wondering whether the ingredients used in making the balls are bad for you, don’t worry. There’s nothing toxic about them, and inhaling the fragrance the sneaker balls produce will not harm your respiratory system in any way.
Of course, keep them out of reach of children and pets, if you happen to have them. Just to be safe.
How long do sneakers balls even last?
Do sneaker balls work? Yes! But are they long-lasting? Well, that depends on the type of sneaker balls you purchase.
If you opt for a quality brand, sneakers balls should last you for up to 6 months. And since most of them come in a pack of 6, one purchase can ensure you have plenty of supply. That is a pretty good deal, if you ask me.
This, of course, depends on how often you use them. If you put them in almost every single pair of shoes you own (like I do most of the time) then they won’t be so long-lasting. But, one 6-pack should still serve you for almost a year.
However, bear in mind that just as you need to twist the balls open to activate the fragrance, you also need to twist them off to close them. If you fail to do so, the fragrance from your sneaker balls will air out and the absorbing chemicals will dry out. Or in other words, your sneaker balls will wear out sooner.
This means that they are reusable, too. You can use one pair of sneaker balls multiple times, as long as you don’t forget to lock them in any time you remove them from your shoes.
Also, there is no need for you to use the sneaker balls every day. I stick mine in my shoes once or twice a week, or any time my shoes start to get a bit smelly.
Can you refill your sneaker balls?
Well, if you are using your homemade sneaker balls (more on that later) then sure, you can refill them. But those store-bought ones can last you so long, it’s hardly worth the hassle of refilling them.
So, if you ask for my opinion, there’s really no need to do it. However, if you are creative and you love to put your hands to work, then you can try to make your own sneaker balls.
How to DIY your very own sneaker balls
To make your own sneaker balls, here are all the things you will need:
- a tiny plastic container, or any type of small plastic capsule
- a small pushpin, sharp enough to break through the plastic
- two tea bags
- two small staples or safety pins
- baking soda
- lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit peel
- vanilla extract
- any type of essential oil or perfume you enjoy
- scissors
- cotton swabs
Start by making a couple of holes on each end of the little plastic container you’re using. Then cut your tea bags and remove the tea leaves. Fill the empty tea bags with baking soda, and add some citrus peel, vanilla extract, and a few drops of essential oil of your choice.
The baking soda is there to eliminate odors, and the rest of the ingredients are there to provide a pleasant scent.
Re-seal your tea bags with safety pins or staples, put them in those small plastic containers, shut everything, and voilà – you have just made your very own DIY sneaker balls.
What are the best sneaker balls on the market today?
It’s no secret that there are many options on the market when it comes to our trusty sneaker balls. So, it can be very hard to decide which ones to get.
Luckily for you, we made a list of the top 5 sneaker balls on the market now so you know you’re getting yourself a real deal.
1. Tuffen Scent Shots Deodorizer Balls
Tuffen’s sneaker balls are arguably the ones with the most long-lasting fragrance. They come in a pack of 8, have a pleasantly fresh scent, and can be used in shoes, gym bags, and lockers. And they cost around $13.
2. Sufuny Shoe Deodorizer Balls
These Sufuny sneaker balls are currently the most affordable ones on the market. A pack of 6 will cost you a very reasonable $10.
These particular ones make a perfect birthday gift for fathers, especially if you’re on a budget. Nothing says best wishes like a pack of sneaker balls and a card, “Happy birthday, Dad. Your feet stink!”
3. Sof Sole Sneaker Balls
Sof Sole sneaker balls have the best compact design. They are available in packs of 2 or 6, and their designs are just wild! Some look like smiley faces, some have cartoon characters, some look like basketball or tennis balls, and many more. They cost around $13.
4. Maximilian Deodorizing Ball
If your eyes and nose happen to be sensitive and you can’t stand strong fragrances, then Maximilian sneaker balls are perfect for you. They come in at an affordable $12 for a pack of 6.
5. Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz Balls
And lastly, if you’re looking for sneaker balls with the best natural formula in town, Arm & Hammer got your back! They’re also available at $12 per pack of 6 balls.
