Introduction
Have you ever taken off your shoes and been hit with an unbearable smell? It’s a common problem, and you’re not alone. Smelly shoes can be embarrassing and unpleasant, but luckily there are simple and effective ways to deodorize them. In this article, we’ll explore various methods of deodorizing shoes, tips from footwear experts, natural remedies, and how to prevent shoe odor from returning.
6 Simple and Effective DIY Methods to Deodorize Your Shoes
There are many DIY methods to deodorize shoes effectively. Here are six simple ways you can accomplish this:
1. Baking soda
Using baking soda is one of the most popular methods to deodorize your shoes. All you need to do is sprinkle some baking soda inside your shoes, let it sit overnight, and shake it out the next day. Baking soda will absorb the unpleasant odors and leave your shoes smelling fresh and clean.
Benefits: Baking soda is readily available and cheap; it doesn’t damage shoes or feet; it’s safe to use on any material.
Drawbacks: It is less effective on extremely smelly shoes and may take a couple of days to notice the difference.
2. Dryer sheets
Dryer sheets, typically used for laundry, are an excellent trick for deodorizing shoes. Simply insert a sheet into your shoes and keep them overnight. The fragrance will mask any unpleasant odors, leaving your shoes smelling great.
Benefits: The fragrance of dryer sheets works powerfully against bad smells, and they are easily available.
Drawbacks: Dryer sheets are a temporary fix and don’t address the root cause of the problem. The fragrance may also rub off on your feet.
3. Essential oils
Essential oils can serve as a natural remedy in deodorizing shoes. Place a few drops of tea tree oil, lavender oil, or peppermint oil onto a cotton ball. Insert it inside your shoes, and let it sit overnight to absorb the unpleasant odors.
Benefits: Essential oils serve as both a natural remedy and air freshener due to their diverse fragrances; they are readily available; an eco-friendly option for deodorizing shoes.
Drawbacks: This method may not be highly effective on extremely smelly shoes.
4. Rubbing alcohol and vinegar
The combination of rubbing alcohol and vinegar can break down the bacteria that cause shoe odor. Mix a small amount of rubbing alcohol with an equal amount of distilled vinegar. Spray the solution inside and outside of your shoes, and let them dry completely before wearing them again.
Benefits: The solution of rubbing alcohol and vinegar is highly effective against odor-causing bacteria.
Drawbacks: The mixture of two strong-smelling liquids may leave strong after-smell for some days.
5. Cat litter
While it’s an unconventional method, cat litter can surprisingly deodorize shoes. Fill a pair of socks with fresh cat litter and put them inside your shoes. Leave overnight and remove the next day.
Benefits: Cat litter absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors due to its clay composition.
Drawbacks: Make sure to vacuum the cat litter left inside before wearing shoes. Also, the cat litter can leave dirt particles and stains on the shoes.
6. Cornstarch and baking powder
Mix half a cup of baking powder with half a cup of cornstarch. Sprinkle a little bit of the mixture inside your shoes, let sit for a few hours, then brush it off. This mixture absorbs moisture and odor-causing bacteria from shoes perfectly.
Benefits: This mixture efficiently absorbs dampness and odor from shoes without staining them.
Drawbacks: This mixture may leave excess powder inside the shoes, which may stick to the feet or ankles.
Say Goodbye to Smelly Shoes: Expert Tips to Deodorize Your Footwear
Deodorizing shoes is a common concern, and many footwear experts suggest different ways to get rid of the unpleasant smell. Here are some pieces of advice from the experts:
1. Use activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is a highly effective natural deodorizer. It absorbs any unpleasant odor and moisture. You can place a piece of it inside your shoes for some hours and remove before wearing shoes again.
Why it works: Activated charcoal is an excellent adsorbent agent that takes in the air’s bacteria and pollutants.
2. Freeze your shoes
Freeze your shoes overnight in a plastic bag. The cold temperatures will prevent bacteria growth, leaving your shoes odor-free the next day.
Why it works: Due to low temperatures, bacteria circulation inside the shoes is prevented, reducing the chance of smell too.
3. Don’t Wear the Same Shoes Two Days in A Row
Rotating your shoes to allow them some drying time will hinder bacteria growth and moisture accumulation, which results in less odor in the long run.
Why it works: Bacteria thrives in moist environments; if shoes are always moist, they will offer a favorable atmosphere to bacteria and lead to an unbearable odor.
Natural Remedies for Deodorizing and Freshening Up Your Shoes
Natural remedies are considered effective for deodorizing shoes as they eliminate odor-causing bacteria and don’t have harmful chemical properties, unlike some commercial deodorizers. Here are some natural remedies to eliminate the odor from shoes:
1. Lemon
Lemon juice is an excellent astringent and can kill bacteria that causes the smell. Simply cut fresh lemons, squeeze out the juice, and rub it inside and outside of your shoes before leaving them outside to dry.
Why it works: Lemon stops bacteria growth, absorbs moisture, and decreases the unpleasant odor.
2. Orange peels
Orange peels contain specific compounds that can help eliminate odors naturally. Insert orange peels inside your shoes and leave them overnight too.
Why it works: The compounds in the orange peels help mask the foul smell by absorbing it, and the orange citrus scent eliminates any remaining unpleasant odor.
3. Newspaper
Stuff your shoes with newspaper and wait for some hours. Newspapers are quite effective at absorbing moisture that causes odor and drying out dampness.
Why it works: Newspapers have absorption properties that effectively eliminate moisture from shoes, making it unfavorable for bacteria’s growth and reducing odor afterward.
Eliminate Shoe Odors for Good: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide to deodorizing shoes:
Step 1: Clean your shoes
Clean the outside of your shoes using a damp cloth and your preferred cleaning solution. Make sure to remove dirt and any other debris before dealing with the smell.
Step 2: Let your shoes dry completely
Drying your shoes thoroughly is one of the most crucial steps in deodorization. Consider leaving your shoes out in the sun to the full extent possible. If you’re in a hurry, you can use a hairdryer to speed up the process.
Step 3: Use a deodorizer
Use an over-the-counter deodorizer if the odor persists. Different odor-eliminating sprays are readily available in drug stores and supermarkets.
Step 4: Apply natural remedies
If you prefer natural remedies, treat your shoes with naturally occurring substances, like tea bags, silica gel bags, or dryer sheets. There are plenty of natural remedies aforementioned.
Step 5: Keep your shoes dry and clean
Finally, the essential step to keep the smell out of your shoes is to maintain them regularly. Keep them in a clean, dry, well-ventilated space, rotate them, and wipe them down often.
Odor-Free Feet: How to Deodorize Your Shoes with Household Items
Here are some household items that can help deodorize shoes:
1. Baking soda and vinegar
Mix baking soda and distilled vinegar in equal parts, soak a cloth in the mixture, and rub them inside and outside your shoes.
Why it works: The mixture of these two substances produces carbon dioxide bubbles which help the shoe odor vanish.
2. Rubbing alcohol and tea tree oil
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with rubbing alcohol and spray it inside your shoes.
Why it works: The antimicrobial and antimycotic agents of tea tree oil help to limit bacterial growth and eliminate shoe odor.
3. Charcoal briquettes
Charcoal is an excellent eco-friendly deodorizer. Place a few charcoal briquettes into a breathable bag and set it inside your shoes overnight.
Why it works: Charcoal effectively absorbs the moisture that causes unpleasant odors in shoes.
From Stinky to Fresh: Practical Ways to Deodorize Shoes at Home
Here are some additional tips to deodorize shoes in the comfort of your home:
1. Use insoles
Using insoles may absorb moisture in the shoes and eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
2. Wash laces often
It’s crucial to wash your shoes laces regularly and let them air dry completely to eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
3. Use fabric softener
The fabric softener sheet you use in the dryer for your clothes can be helpful when you deodorize shoes. Cut the sheets into sizeable chunks and insert them inside your shoes to get rid of odor-causing bacteria.
Conclusion
Don’t let unpleasant shoe odor ruin your day. Whether you are using household items, natural remedies, or DIY methods, the important thing is to tackle the root of the problem and not merely mask it. Regularly undertake the procedures like deodorizing with various remedies mentioned above, and your shoes and feet will always remain pleasantly fresh.
