10 Best Ways: How to Make Shoes Not Smell Again

Hands up if you’ve been in a situation where you had to take off your shoes in public. Hands up again if you were reluctant to do so because you knew your shoes were smelling. I can’t see your hands, but if you’re reading this, that’s probably the case. Suppose you have smelly shoes or you know someone who does. In that case, you’d agree it can get very embarrassing. It’s even more annoying if you’re usually a clean person. One day your favorite pairs of shoes started smelling, and the smell won’t just disappear. Frustrating right? However, I’m here for you with the best tips on how to get rid of the smell in shoes. So how do you make your shoes stop smelling?

Why Are Shoes Smelly?

The main reason for smelly shoes is the presence of odor-causing bacteria. Every other explanation is valid only because they favor the growth of such bacteria. Bacteria thrive in moist areas. Like all other organisms, bacteria need water to survive. Take away the moisture, and you’ve removed their water source. They also thrive in warm environments, so colder temperatures make them inactive. Your feet in shoes constantly provide both warmth and moisture for bacteria growth. Therefore, you must take the necessary steps to make sure you don’t allow that.

10 Best Ways To Eliminate Shoe Smell

Try out these ten tips on how to clean smelly shoes if you’re too embarrassed to remove yours in public.

Use Baking Soda

Using baking soda is the best tip on how to get rid of the smell of shoes. Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer by absorbing odors and bacteria. That is why it’s usually the go-to in many challenging cleaning situations. You can use baking soda to clean smelly shoes in one of the following two ways.

• Sprinkle baking soda into your pair of shoes and leave them for a day at least.
• Add ¼ cup of baking soda and powder to a bowl containing ½ cup of cornstarch. Mix the powders to get an even blend. Sprinkle the mixtures in your pair of shoes and leave overnight. You can add a drop or two of essential oil if you’d love an extra scent.

Use Soap

Using soap is effective if you’re wondering how to get rid of the smell of shoes. Obviously, soap kills all kinds of bacteria, including odor-causing ones. Drop a soap bar into your pair of shoes and leave it overnight. The soap, like baking soda, will also absorb the smell. A scented soap is even better because it leaves a soapy scent behind. However, ensure the soap you’re using is dry.

Use Cotton Balls

You’ll notice that nurses use cotton wool to clean injuries in hospitals. This is because cotton is a good absorbent and absorbs blood from wounds. In the same way, cotton balls will absorb any moisture from your shoes. You can put a few drops of essential oil on some cotton balls before placing them in your shoes. Cyprus oil works excellently here.

Use Vinegar

Vinegar will counteract the odor in your shoes and fight the bacteria causing it. Add the vinegar to a spray bottle containing water. Ensure that the water and vinegar are in equal amounts. Mix the bottle content and spray inside your shoes. Leave the shoes to dry completely before using them. The vinegar and water mixture is an adequate shoe smell spray.

Sunshine

Using sunshine is a natural, easy and effective way to get rid of shoe smells. The sun will dry out any moisture in your shoes. The sun’s heat may also be unbearable for the odor-causing bacteria. Just place your shoes in direct sunlight for a few hours when you remove them.

Essential Oils

Nature offers the best ways to stop your shoes from stinking. Essential oils like clove, lemon, cypress, tea tree, and cedarwood essential oils strongly hinder bacteria growth. Moreover, they’ll all leave a pleasant scent when you use them in your shoes. Apply a few drops of your favorite essential oil into your shoes and let them air.

Change Insoles

A simple way to get rid of smells in shoes is to replace the insoles. If other methods have proven ineffective, change your insoles. It could be that your insoles are ancient and the problem. The insoles of our shoes get the most moisture from our feet. Hence, you must thoroughly wash your insoles if they’re not old or replace them if they’re.

Use Your Freezer

You’ll find this a bit strange and unhygienic if you’ve only ever used your freezer for food. However, there’s exciting biology behind why this works so well. Bacteria thrive in warm environments. These bacteria will die if you significantly increase or reduce the temperature of their environment. You can’t highly increase the temperature of your shoes because you will ruin them. However, freezing your shoes does no damage to them. Put your shoes in a plastic bag and leave the bag in your freezer overnight. In the morning, go and take your fresh shoes!

Use Rubbing Alcohol

It doesn’t come as a surprise to you that alcohol kills germs. People use it around you or on TVs to sterilize equipment. In the same way, you can use it for your shoes. Pour some alcohol into a spray bottle and use it as a shoe smell spray. Spray the alcohol into your shoes and let it air out. This will dry out the sources of the odor.

Use Lemon Peels

Using lemon peels is the last of our tips on how to clean smelly shoes. Lemons are especially handy if you suspect moisture isn’t the cause of the odor in your shoes. Lemon peels (and other citrus plants) have antibacterial properties. Put some lemon peels in your shoes and leave them overnight.

There are several other ways to get your shoes to smell good again. However, I have covered most in the above list of how to get rid of smells in shoes. Nevertheless, you must know what causes shoes to smell to understand how best to treat them. You should also know how best to prevent your new pairs of shoes from smelling in the first place.

How To Prevent Shoes From Getting Smelly

It would be best if you didn’t wait for your shoes to start smelling before you take care of them. Below, I’ve briefly listed a few ways to prevent foul odors in your shoes.

1. Wear sweat-wicking socks that move sweat away from your feet so it can evaporate.
2. Sun-dry your shoes between uses to ensure a lack of moisture.
3. Sun-dry your insoles separate from your shoes. This allows the sun to heat more shoe areas.
4. Wear washable insoles.
5. Use shoes smell sprays on your shoes after each wear.
6. Use antiperspirant or deodorant on your feet before wearing a shoe.
7. Dry your feet properly after washing them.
8. Don’t always wear shoes. Give your feet enough breathing time.
9. Wear socks once between washings.
10. Change out of your socks and shoes immediately after sports.

How to make shoes not smell FAQs

1. What Causes Smell In Shoes?

The cause of smell in shoes is primarily bacteria. However, anything that facilitates bacteria growth will also make your shoes smell.

2. How To Keep Your Shoes From Smelling Without Socks?

It’s advisable always to wear your shoes with socks. However, if you must, use removable and washable insoles. Ensure you thoroughly wash the insoles after each wear.

3. How To Clean The Inside Of your Shoes?

Sprinkle a mixture of ½ cup baking soda, baking powder, and ½ cup cornstarch.

4. How To Deodorize Your Shoes Naturally?

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to baking soda and place them in your shoes.

5. What Essential Oil Is Good For Your Shoes?

You can use a variety of essential oils. However, I recommend lemon oil.

Indeed, smelly shoe is a common problem. However, no matter how common, you’ll still feel embarrassed about it in front of others. So, it’s best to ensure that doesn’t happen. The best way is to prevent shoe smells in the first place. Nevertheless, you can use any of the ten tips I’ve provided to get rid of your already smelly shoes.

If you found this article helpful or have more questions, I’ll be happy to see your comments below. Thank you!

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