20 Easy & Best Ways to Get Rid of Smells From Your Shoes Quickly

Unpleasant shoe odors can be an embarrassing and persistent problem. Whether it's from sweat, bacteria, or moisture, smelly shoes can affect your confidence and even lead to unwanted attention. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to keep your shoes smelling fresh and clean. From natural remedies to commercial products, there’s a solution for everyone. In this blog post, we'll explore 20 easy and effective methods to quickly eliminate shoe odors, ensuring your footwear remains fresh and pleasant to wear. Read on to discover how you can say goodbye to smelly shoes and enjoy the confidence of fresh feet every day.

Easy and Effective Methods

1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a powerful deodorizer. Sprinkle a generous amount inside each shoe and shake them gently to distribute the powder evenly. Leave it overnight, and in the morning, shake out the excess baking soda into a trash bin. This will absorb moisture and neutralize odors, leaving your shoes fresh. Repeat this process if necessary until the smell is gone.

2. Vinegar
In a spray bottle, combine equal parts white vinegar and water. Lightly spray the inside of your shoes with the solution, ensuring all areas are covered. To wear the shoes again, let them air dry fully. The vinegar smell will fade as it dries, taking the bad odors with it. If the odor persists, repeat the process once more.

3. Dryer Sheets
Place one dryer sheet inside each shoe and leave them there overnight or until you need to wear the shoes. Dryer sheets absorb odors and leave a pleasant scent behind, making them a quick and easy solution for freshening up your shoes. For best results, replace the dryer sheets every few days.

4. Essential Oils
Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus have natural antibacterial properties and pleasant scents. Put a few drops of essential oil on two cotton balls. Place one cotton ball in each shoe and leave them overnight. The oils will help kill bacteria and leave a fresh scent. Replace the cotton balls every few days for continuous freshness.

5. Freezing
Put your shoes in a plastic bag and seal it tightly. Place the bag in the freezer and leave it overnight. The freezing temperatures will kill odor-causing bacteria. In the morning, take the shoes out and let them thaw completely before wearing. Make sure your shoes are completely dry before freezing to avoid damage from moisture.

6. Citrus Peels
Place fresh lemon, lime, or orange peels inside each shoe and leave them overnight. The natural oils in the peels will absorb odors and leave a fresh citrus scent. Replace the peels every couple of days until the odor is gone.

7. Activated Charcoal
Place a few pieces of activated charcoal in each shoe and leave them overnight. Activated charcoal is highly porous and effective at absorbing odors and moisture, making your shoes smell fresher. For best results, replace the charcoal every few weeks.

8. Tea Bags
Put two dry, unused tea bags (black or green tea works best) in each shoe and leave them overnight. Tea bags can absorb moisture and odors, leaving your shoes smelling fresher. Replace the tea bags every few days for continuous effectiveness.

9. Baby Powder
Sprinkle baby powder inside your shoes, focusing on areas where your feet sweat the most. To uniformly spread the powder, give the shoes a shake. Leave it overnight and shake out the excess powder before wearing. Baby powder will absorb moisture and leave a pleasant scent.

10. Cornstarch
Similar to baby powder, sprinkle cornstarch inside your shoes. Shake the shoes to spread the cornstarch evenly. Leave it overnight and shake out the excess in the morning. Cornstarch can absorb moisture and odors effectively. Repeat as necessary for persistent odors.

11. Antibacterial Spray
Use an antibacterial spray to kill odor-causing bacteria inside your shoes. Spray the inside thoroughly, ensuring you cover all areas, including the toe and heel. Let the shoes air dry completely before wearing them again. Repeat this process regularly to maintain freshness.

12. Cat Litter
Fill a pair of old socks with cat litter and tie the ends. Place one sock in each shoe and leave them overnight. Cat litter is designed to absorb odors and moisture, making it an effective solution for freshening up your shoes. Replace the cat litter every few weeks for continuous effectiveness.

13. Newspaper
Crumple up newspaper and stuff it inside your shoes. Leave the newspaper in overnight. It will absorb moisture and odors, leaving your shoes fresher in the morning. Replace the newspaper daily for best results.

14. Salt
Sprinkle a good amount of salt inside your shoes, especially in areas that are damp. Leave it overnight and shake out the excess salt in the morning. Salt absorbs moisture and kills bacteria, helping to eliminate odors. Repeat as necessary for persistent odors.

15. Rubbing Alcohol
Pour some rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and lightly spray the inside of your shoes, ensuring you cover all areas. Let the shoes air dry completely. Rubbing alcohol kills bacteria and helps evaporate moisture quickly. Repeat this process regularly for best results.

16. Shoe Deodorizers
Purchase commercial shoe deodorizers designed to absorb odors and moisture. Follow the instructions on the product for best results. Typically, you place the deodorizer inside each shoe and leave it overnight. Replace the deodorizers as recommended by the manufacturer.

17. Foot Powder
Sprinkle foot powder inside your shoes before and after wearing them. The powder keeps your feet dry and prevents odors from forming, thanks to its antibacterial ingredients. Use it daily for continuous freshness.

18. Sunlight
Place your shoes in direct sunlight for a few hours. The UV rays from the sun can kill bacteria and help eliminate odors. Ensure your shoes are in a well-ventilated area to avoid damage from prolonged exposure. This method works best on dry, sunny days.

19. Bleach Solution
Mix a mild bleach solution (one part bleach to five parts water). Lightly spray or wipe the inside of your shoes with the solution. Be cautious to avoid discoloration. Let the shoes air dry completely before wearing. Use this method sparingly to avoid damaging your shoes.

20. Rotating Shoes
To prevent odors, avoid wearing the same pair of shoes every day. Rotate between different pairs to allow each one to air out and dry completely between uses. This reduces the buildup of moisture and bacteria. Consider having at least two pairs of shoes for daily rotation.

Conclusion

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively tackle and prevent odors in your shoes, keeping them fresh and pleasant to wear. Whether you prefer natural remedies or commercial products, there’s a solution here for everyone. Say goodbye to smelly shoes and enjoy fresh, clean footwear every day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How often should I clean my shoes to prevent odors?

A1. Clean your shoes regularly, ideally once a week, to prevent odor buildup. Consistent maintenance helps keep bacteria and moisture at bay.

Q2. Can I use these methods on all types of shoes?

A2. Most methods are safe for all types of shoes, but always check the care instructions for delicate materials like leather or suede.

Q3. What should I do if my shoes still smell after trying these methods?

A3. If odors persist, consider professional cleaning or replacing the insoles. Persistent smells might indicate a deeper issue that needs expert attention.

Q4. Are there any long-term solutions to prevent shoe odors?

A4. Yes, regularly rotating shoes, wearing moisture-wicking socks, and using shoe deodorizers can help prevent long-term odor buildup.

Q5. Can I use multiple methods at once for better results?

A5. Yes, combining methods like using baking soda overnight and essential oils during the day can enhance the odor-fighting effect.

Q6. Is it safe to use bleach solution on colored shoes?

A6. Be cautious using bleach on colored shoes as it may cause discoloration. Test on a small area first or opt for milder solutions.

Q7. How can I prevent shoe odors while traveling?

A7. Pack dryer sheets or small sachets of activated charcoal in your shoes while traveling to keep them fresh on the go.

Q8. What’s the best way to store shoes to avoid odors?

A8. Store shoes in a well-ventilated area and use cedar shoe trees or sachets to absorb moisture and maintain freshness.