Seamus Hammond
Stinky shoes are a common problem, but there are several ways to tackle the issue. The main cause of shoe odour is bacteria, which thrive in the dark, moist environment of shoes, feeding on sweat from your feet and producing waste products with a strong smell. To combat this, you need to remove the bacteria and dry out your shoes. This can be done by sprinkling baking soda inside your shoes and leaving it overnight, then shaking it out, or by spraying the inside of your shoes with a mixture of vinegar and water and letting them air dry. Other methods include using dryer sheets, essential oils, tea tree oil, or leaving your shoes in the freezer overnight.
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Use baking soda
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that absorbs smells and bacteria, making it an effective way to eliminate shoe odor. It is also a fungicide and has mild antibacterial properties.
To use baking soda to eliminate shoe odor, follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Soda
- Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a small bowl. For larger shoes, you may need to double the amount.
- Add 5 drops of essential oil for fragrance. While this doesn't have odor-zapping properties, it can make your shoes smell nicer.
- Stir the mixture with a fork until there are no lumps or clumps.
Step 2: Apply the Baking Soda to Your Shoes
- Measure out 1 tablespoon of the mixture and pour it into the heel of one shoe. Ensure you use enough baking soda so the smell disappears.
- Tilt the shoe downward so that the baking soda moves into the toe area.
- Repeat this process with the other shoe.
Step 3: Let the Baking Soda Sit
Leave the baking soda in your shoes for at least 12 hours or overnight. For extremely odorous shoes, you may need to leave the baking soda for up to 24 hours.
Step 4: Remove the Baking Soda
- Turn your shoes upside down over a trash can or sink.
- Tap and shake the shoes to remove the baking soda.
- If there is still some baking soda dust left inside the shoes, you can vacuum it out or simply shake the shoes before wearing them again.
Step 5: Repeat as Needed
- If your shoes still smell, repeat the process to remove any remaining odor.
- For shoes that get smelly often, you can repeat this treatment once a week.
Additional Tips:
- Baking soda can be especially effective when combined with other household items. For example, you can mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the inside of your shoes after use.
- Be cautious when using baking soda on leather or suede shoes, as it can cause these materials to become brittle or dry. Instead, place the baking soda in a sachet or sock before putting it in your shoes, or use a dryer sheet.
- If your shoes have removable insoles, take them out before applying the baking soda, as this is often where the smell lives.
- Air out your shoes regularly by placing them in a sunny spot, as sunlight is a natural disinfectant.
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Try vinegar
Vinegar is an effective way to get rid of shoe odour. It neutralises odours and fights bacteria, according to a 2014 study in mBio.
To use vinegar to remove shoe odour, follow these steps:
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can also use store vinegar (5%) which is super cheap.
- Spray the solution inside the shoes, making sure to thoroughly soak the interior.
- Allow the shoes to air dry for at least 48 hours. It is important to ensure that the vinegar smell has completely disappeared before wearing the shoes again.
- For maximum effect, clean your shoes thoroughly inside and out before applying the vinegar solution.
You can also add a few drops of nice-smelling essential oil to the vinegar mixture to enhance the scent.
Another method is to dampen a paper towel or cloth with white vinegar and rub it all over the inside of your shoes. This method ensures that the vinegar comes into contact with all the interior surfaces of the shoe, including crevices and folds where odour-causing compounds may be hiding.
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Wash your shoes
Washing your shoes is an effective way to get rid of odours. However, not all shoes can be washed, so be sure to check this before proceeding. If your shoes are washable, start by removing the laces and insoles, as these are often the real culprit of stinky shoes. You can then wash the insoles by hand in a solution of water and baking soda, or throw them in with a load of laundry.
When it comes to washing the shoes themselves, you can do this by hand or on a gentle machine setting. If using a machine, place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag and wash them with a load of towels or regular laundry. If washing by hand, be sure to clean the shoes thoroughly inside and out.
Once your shoes are clean, dry them in direct sunlight. It's important to ensure they are completely dry before wearing them again, as bacteria thrive in moisture. If you don't have access to direct sunlight, you can also use a shoe dryer, or place the shoes upside down on a fan to encourage them to dry out.
In addition to washing your shoes, you can also use baking soda to neutralise bacteria and absorb moisture. Simply sprinkle a layer of baking soda inside your shoes and leave it for up to 24 hours before dumping it out. You can also mix in a few drops of essential oil with the baking soda to give your insoles an extra fresh scent.
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Dry your shoes
Drying your shoes is an effective way to prevent and get rid of odours. Here are some tips to dry your shoes:
Use a shoe dryer
Shoe dryers are handy appliances that are easy to use and cost-effective. First, remove the shoelaces and insoles. Then, place the shoes upside down on the dryer and switch it on. This method is also a great way to remove bad odours from your shoes.
Rice
Fill an empty cardboard or storage box with uncooked rice, leaving enough space for your shoes. Place your shoes on top of the rice and close the lid. The rice will absorb the water from your shoes, and depending on how wet they are, it should only take a few hours.
Newspaper
Using newspaper to dry wet shoes is a tried-and-tested method. Stuff your shoes with crumpled-up newspaper to absorb the moisture and speed up the drying process.
Direct sunlight
Place your shoes in direct sunlight for a few hours to let them dry completely. However, avoid drying shoes under direct sunlight as it can lead to excessive wear.
Air drying
Air-dry your shoes inside or in a well-ventilated space. To speed up the process, place the shoes close to a fan or a vent, such as the fridge vent. You can also hang the shoes overnight after removing the insoles.
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Use dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are a popular method for removing shoe odours. They are disposable paper-like sheets that are placed in the dryer with your clothes to remove static, lessen wrinkles, improve smell, and remove hair/lint. After doing your laundry, you can place one or two dryer sheets into each shoe overnight to absorb any bad smells and leave a fresh scent. This method is particularly effective if you do it every time and can be a good way to repurpose your dryer sheets.
However, it is worth noting that dryer sheets only cover up the bad smell with a chemical perfume, rather than neutralising the odour. They also contain carcinogens and can make towels less absorbent. Therefore, it is recommended to take the dryer sheets out of your shoes before wearing them.
If you want to neutralise the odour, you can first try other methods to kill the bacteria causing the smell, such as spraying a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol into your shoes and letting them dry. You can also try to address the root of the problem by improving your foot hygiene and ensuring you wear socks that wick moisture away from your skin, such as wool socks.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use perfume, body fragrance mist, or air freshener as a quick fix by spraying some into your shoes for a burst of nice scents. However, this will only cover up the odour and not address the root cause of the problem, which is usually bacteria buildup.
There are many ways to kill bacteria in shoes. One way is to use a spray bottle with a mixture of vinegar and water and spray the inside of your shoes, leaving them to air dry. You can also sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes and leave it overnight, shaking it out the next morning.
To prevent shoe odour, make sure to wear socks, preferably moisture-wicking ones made of natural fibres, and rotate your shoes so they have time to dry out between wears. You should also practice good foot hygiene by washing your feet daily and drying them thoroughly before putting on socks and shoes.
