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Stay Fresh and Odor-Free: Eliminate Shoe Odor with Kitchen Ingredients

With their intricate structure, shoes can become smelly and damp if not properly dried. Here's a handy tip to combat this issue:

Administrator

22 March, 2024

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There are several reasons why shoes smell bad, including sweaty feet causing moisture and bacteria, and shoes getting wet from rain. Smelly shoes not only make you uncomfortable when wearing them, but also make you “lose face” with those around you. However, washing shoes is not easy because they have a heavy and complex structure, so if you wash them improperly, they will smell even worse, especially in humid weather.

Don’t rush to wash smelly shoes as they may smell even worse if they are not dry

Here are some tips to get rid of shoe odor without washing them:

Put the shoes in the freezer

First, spray fragrant oil into the shoes. Then wrap the shoes tightly with plastic bags. Remember to wrap them tightly to prevent odor from escaping and dirt from affecting the things in the cabinet. Then put them in the freezer and take them out the next day.

Spray alcohol into the shoes

Alcohol is an odor-eliminating and fast-evaporating substance. Alcohol has the ability to kill bacteria, so it helps get rid of the odor. You should spray alcohol or strong alcohol into the shoes and then let them dry on their own.

Use dried citrus peels

If you have dried citrus peels, dried lemon or grapefruit peels, squeeze them and put them inside the shoes overnight. Citrus essential oil can help absorb odors in shoes and create a pleasant scent for your shoes.

Use eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil is a mixture of various natural essential oils such as peppermint, camphor, and eucalyptus. You can drop 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil into the shoes or soak the essential oil into tissue paper and put it inside the shoes, leave it overnight, or apply it evenly inside the shoes. Eucalyptus oil helps eliminate odor, kill bacteria, and make the shoes smell better. Eucalyptus oil also helps keep your feet warm.

Use sea salt

Sea salt is also an effective odor-eliminating substance because it has the ability to absorb odors and kill bacteria. Put sea salt in tissue paper and wrap it up, then put it in the shoes overnight, they will absorb the odor. Avoid putting salt directly into the shoes as it can cause them to become damp.

Cinnamon essential oil or cinnamon powder

Cinnamon essential oil has excellent antibacterial and odor-killing properties. You can evenly apply cinnamon essential oil to the insole and upper of the shoes. Or you can put cinnamon powder into a thick cloth bag or wrap it in tissue paper and put it in the shoes overnight. Cinnamon helps make the shoes smell good and the scent lasts a long time. Cinnamon essential oil also helps keep feet warm, kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and foot odor.

Many ingredients in the kitchen can help eliminate shoe odor, such as salt, coffee, tea, baking soda, citrus peels…

Use dried tea bags/coffee grounds

Dried tea bags or coffee grounds both have the ability to absorb moisture and eliminate odors, creating a pleasant scent. Put tea bags or coffee grounds in a cloth bag and put them in the shoes, the next morning take them out, the shoes will be much drier and smell better.

Put baking soda in the shoes

Baking soda is not only a cooking additive but also an effective antibacterial and odor-eliminating substance. Wrap baking soda in tissue paper and put them in the shoes. The alkaline nature of baking soda neutralizes the acidity of foot sweat, helping to eliminate odor. Baking soda can also help clean dirt on shoes.

Use cat litter

Cat litter has the characteristic of absorbing the odor of cat waste. You can put clean cat litter, unused litter in a fabric bag and then put it in the shoes overnight to help absorb the odor.

Use baby powder

Sprinkling baby powder into the shoes also helps eliminate odor and dry the shoes. You can either directly put the powder into the shoes or wrap them in tissue paper and put them in the shoes overnight.

Frequently asked questions

Smelly shoes can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment for the wearer, and they may also negatively impact your image among your peers.

Washing shoes is challenging due to their intricate and heavy construction. Improper washing methods can exacerbate the odor, especially in humid conditions, as the shoes may not dry properly.

There are several effective alternatives to washing your shoes:

Freeze your shoes after spraying them with fragrant oil and wrapping them tightly in plastic bags.
Spray alcohol, a fast-evaporating odor eliminator, into your shoes to kill bacteria.
Use dried citrus peels or essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, known for their odor-absorbing and pleasant-smelling properties.
Try natural absorbents like sea salt, cinnamon powder or essential oil, or baking soda wrapped in tissue paper and placed inside the shoes.
Utilize dried tea bags or coffee grounds, which can absorb moisture and leave a pleasant aroma.
Cat litter, known for absorbing odors, can be placed in fabric bags and left in your shoes overnight.
Baby powder can be sprinkled directly into your shoes to eliminate odors and absorb moisture.