Odor-Eaters is an American brand of foot-care products designed to reduce foot odor. The line started with insoles that are made of latex and contain activated carbon, which neutralizes odors. As of January 2011, the brand is owned by Blistex Inc.

History

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Odor-Eaters is an American brand of foot-care products designed to reduce foot odor. Herbert Lapidus invented the namesake insoles while employed as Combe Incorporated's head of a research and development. The insoles are made of latex and contain activated carbon, which neutralizes odors.[1] Combe already marketed Johnson's Foot Soap, so it introduced the product under the Johnson's brand in 1974.

Combe extended the brand beyond insoles to include odor-reducing foot sprays.[2] In 1981, Combe licensed Chipman-Union to manufacture socks under the Odor-Eaters brand name.[citation needed] The socks contained an odor inhibiting agent that withstood laundering.[3] Kmart and Walmart carried the socks.[4] Production of the socks ended in 2011.[citation needed]

In January 2011, Combe sold its foot care product line to Blistex Inc.[5]

Sponsorship

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In 1988, Combe took over sponsorship of a national Rotten Sneakers Contest to promote its Odor-Eaters brand. A Vermont sporting goods store owner originated the event in 1979, to advertise athletic shoes.[6][7] Blistex continues to market the Odor-Eaters products and to sponsor the Rotten Sneakers Contest.

Notes

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  1. ^ "What Is Activated Charcoal and Why Is It Used in Filters?". HowStuffWorks.com. 1 April 2000. Archived from the original on 23 April 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Combe Inc. History". Company Profiles. Funding Universe. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2014. Includes bibliography.
  3. ^ "Odor-Eaters | HealthPlusLiving".
  4. ^ Odor-Eaters (1999), 12 March 2018, retrieved 21 February 2023
  5. ^ "Blistex Acquires U.S. and Global ODOR-EATERS Brand". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Rotten Sneaker Contest". Odor-Eaters.com. Blistex Inc. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Jordan Armstrong, Age 12 from Las Cruces, NM Wins 39th Odor-Eaters® National Rotten Sneaker Contest® in its New York City Debut" (PDF) (Press release). New York, New York: Blistex Inc. 25 March 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
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