7 Home Remedies For Smelly Shoes – Remove Unpleasant Odor
Summer is around, and it is a fun season with a lot of problems. One of which is stinky shoes. It gets very awkward and embarrassing when your friends can easily kick off their shoes and confidently walk around, but your shoes stink. Similarly, you would also never like someone else’s shoes stinking sitting in the same room as you.
Do you wish to know home remedies for your stinky shoes? Or you want to recommend them to someone. Here are some helpful remedies that will solve your problem. You do not have to get embarrassed anymore or throw away your favorite shoes, which now stink. If you are a sports freak, and if you are working on fitness and jump rope every day, you must not miss this out then you most probably face this stinking problem. Thus, the following guide is for you!
Why Do The Shoes Stink?
Before going to the remedies, you need to find out the causes for your smelly shoes. First of all, the foul odor is the result of summer heat or maybe because of intense athletic activities such as parkour. Your feet get sweaty, the bacteria in your feet are packed in socks and shoes, creating moisture in your shoes, and the bacteria remain in the shoes that release a foul smell.
Some people sweat more than others. Also, your foot sweats more than other parts of the body. It has more sweat glands comparatively. Your shoe’s insole can be a problem too. Very old or poor insoles can get smelly too. Apart from these, the primary cause of stinky shoes is poor hygiene. Nothing else can be more problematic than dirty feet, socks, or shoes.
Home Remedies For Smelly Shoes
To treat smelly feet or prevent stinky shoes, you do not need to see a doctor. You can treat it at home. There are some measures listed below which you can take to get effective results.
1. Feet Hygiene (Prevent The Stink)
The first and foremost thing that you need to take care of is your feet’ hygiene. Feet and shoe hygiene is the key to prevent them from getting stinky. Make sure to wash your feet daily with soap. Thoroughly clean them with soap every day. If your feet sweat more, then exfoliate and scrub them because the bacteria tend to multiply more on sweaty feet. Sweaty feet mean stinky shoes. If you want to clean your white shoes, here is a complete guide.
The next step after cleaning and washing your feet is to dry them correctly and completely. Do not forget to dry in between your toes. The wet area between your toes is more prone to bacteria growth. Wear breathable socks and clean socks as they absorb the feet’ perspiration. Never wear shoes without socks. Make sure that you wash your socks and dry your socks properly and never repeat them.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is known for its odor-absorbing powers. To follow this remedy, you need baking soda, essential oil, and a coffee filter. Take baking soda, add few drops of any essential oils for scent, tie it in a coffee filter. Keep the coffee filter in your shoes. Leave it overnight; it will absorb the odor and moisture out of shoes.
3. Dry
The moisture produce due to feet sweat in shoes is very bad. Leave your shoes in the sunshine to dry off the moisture of the shoes. Try to wear alternate shoes. Don’t use one pair of shoes regularly. Always keep your shoes dry that way; the smell will vanish.
4. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another agent on our list which kills odor-causing bacteria. It is an antiseptic. It will help to dry off the moisture quickly out of shoes. Apply or spray out the rubbing alcohol on the inside of your shoes. It will evaporate quickly.
5. Homemade Shoe Spray
There are shoe sprays in the market, but you can make your own at home too. You need ½ cup of water, ½ cup of vinegar, and few tea tree oil drops. Mix all the items, store it in a bottle and spray it inside your shoes. This remedy is cheaper and effective.
6. Soap Bars
Another hack we have on the list is to put a bar of soap inside your shoes, leave it overnight. It will leave a fresh scent, and also, the porous surface of soap will absorb moisture and odor.
7. Wash The Insole
Most shoes’ insoles are washable. Wash them in a washing machine to get rid of all the smells locked in the insoles. The thing you can do is soak the insole in vinegar mixed in water. Leave it for 30 minutes or 1 hour, then let them dry. You can add this step to your shoe hygiene routine. Repeat this after every 2- 3 week
FAQs
Can I wear my shoes with baking soda in them?
Baking soda is very powerful. Sprinkle it inside your shoes and leave it overnight. It will kill the smell and dry out the moisture. However, take out the baking soda in the morning. Using it for longer and repeatedly can damage the leather shoes or dry out your shoes a lot.
Does vinegar help stinky shoes?
Both vinegar and baking soda is widely known for their odor eliminating powers. Distilled vinegar with 50 percent water is very effective for reducing smell. Apply it inside your shoes with cotton, or spray it directly from a bottle.
Does putting shoes in the freezer kill odor?
This remedy might sound weird, but keeping your shoes in a freezer does work. The freezing temperature will kill the odor-causing bacteria as bacteria can’t survive in freezing temperatures. Leave your shoes in the freezer overnight for effective results.
How do you get rid of stinky feet?
There are many products in the market you can use to control your feet’ perspiration. Use a deodorant spray or antiperspirant on your feet before wearing your shoes. If you want a home remedy, you can soak your feet in vinegar mixed in water.
Summing It Up
Smelly shoes are a pervasive issue faced by many people. You do not have to feel too embarrassed. Use the above-listed remedies for your shoes and you no more have to feel disgusted because of your shoes. Using the solutions for your stinky shoes is the second step. First, try to prevent it by having a proper hygiene feet routine. Use breathable shoes and socks. You will notice the difference after few days. Here to mention, if you are crazy about dance, and looking for some fantastic swing dance shoes, we got them covered.
