10 Quick Hacks to Neutralize Smelly Shoes and Save a Pretty Penny

Stinky shoes can make people less confident when communicating with others. To keep your shoes clean and odor-free, follow these tips:

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Wash Your Shoes Frequently

The most straightforward way to deodorize shoes is to wash them frequently. However, washing them yourself can be time-consuming, while taking them to a professional shoe cleaner can be expensive. Additionally, some types of shoes shouldn’t be washed, or shouldn’t be washed frequently. As such, you should carefully consider this option.

Air Out and Dry Your Shoes

To completely air out your shoes, remove the laces and pull up the tongue to allow for maximum ventilation. Airing out your shoes helps to reduce the growth of bacteria, the main cause of shoe odor.

Replace the Insoles

Few people give much thought to shoe insoles, but they can be a major contributor to shoe odor. To reduce and minimize this, you should replace your shoe insoles regularly. Choose insoles made from cotton or activated carbon, which have high moisture-wicking capabilities to keep your shoes dry and minimize odor.

Use Salt

This is a common household item that most homes have on hand. Salt absorbs moisture and deodorizes shoes, especially when dried and heated.

Put the salt in a thin cloth and stuff it into your shoe overnight. Afterwards, simply remove the salt packet and your shoes will be ready to wear.

Use Baking Soda

In addition to deodorizing your shoes, baking soda can also help clean them. Simply sprinkle some baking soda inside your shoes when you’re not wearing them. Before wearing them again, shake out any excess powder from inside the shoe. Note that you shouldn’t use this method to deodorize leather shoes, as it can damage the leather.

Use Tea Bags

Dried tea leaves have odor-absorbing and antibacterial properties, making them effective at reducing shoe odor. Put the tea leaves in a cloth or paper bag and place them in your shoes overnight. By morning, the shoe odor will be significantly reduced. For better results, use tea leaves with a strong scent.

Use Coffee Grounds

After brewing coffee, dry the grounds and put them in a cloth or paper bag. Place the bag inside your shoe and leave it overnight. The next day, your shoes will smell like coffee and be free of odor.

Use Orange or Grapefruit Peels

The essential oils in orange and grapefruit peels have a pleasant aroma and excellent odor-eliminating properties. Simply place the peels in your shoes overnight and remove them in the morning. Your shoes will be odor-free.

Use Fresh Lemons

Slice a lemon into thin pieces and place them inside your shoes. Leave them overnight to significantly reduce shoe odor.

Use Alcohol

Alcohol’s antibacterial properties and ability to evaporate quickly make it an effective odor eliminator for shoes. Simply soak a cotton ball in alcohol and place it inside the shoe in a well-ventilated area.

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Frequently asked questions

Airing out your shoes helps to reduce the growth of bacteria, which is the main cause of shoe odor. Removing the laces and pulling up the tongue maximizes ventilation and ensures your shoes are thoroughly aired out.

Insoles are often overlooked, but they play a significant role in keeping your shoes fresh. It’s recommended to replace your insoles regularly, opting for those made from cotton or activated carbon, which have excellent moisture-wicking properties to keep your shoes dry and minimize odors.

Salt, baking soda, tea bags, coffee grounds, citrus peels, fresh lemons, and alcohol are all effective at eliminating shoe odors. Simply place them in your shoes overnight, and they’ll absorb moisture and neutralize any unpleasant smells.

No, it’s not recommended to use baking soda on leather shoes as it can damage the leather. While baking soda is great for deodorizing and cleaning, it’s best suited for canvas or fabric shoes.