Summary
Two Indian researchers studied why shoes often smell bad and designed a shoe rack that uses ultraviolet (UVC) light to remove the odor. Their study won an Ig Nobel Prize, which is given for quirky scientific ideas. They found that using UVC light for a short time can kill the bacteria causing the smell.
Key Facts
- The researchers conducted a survey with 149 university students, finding that more than half felt embarrassed by the smell of their shoes.
- The main cause of shoe odor is a bacterium called Kytococcus sedentarius, which thrives in sweaty shoes.
- The researchers designed a prototype shoe rack that uses UVC light to kill bacteria and remove odor.
- They discovered that 2–3 minutes of UVC light exposure is effective in eliminating the bacteria and smell without damaging the shoes.
- The study measured how the shoe odor changed over time during UVC light exposure.
- The researchers noted that nearly all survey participants kept their footwear in racks at home, yet most were unaware of existing deodorizing products.
- Home remedies like tea bags and baking soda were not effective for dealing with shoe odor, according to the study.
- The UVC light specifically focused on the toe area of the shoes, where the bacterial build-up was greatest.
