How To Get Rid Of Smelly Shoes

Practice Good Foot Care

Taking good care of your feet also takes care of the rough, cracked spots where odor-causing bacteria thrive. So, keep your toenails trimmed and any calluses filed. If cracking or rough feet are ongoing problems, get in the habit of applying a thick layer of foot lotion or petroleum jelly to your feet before bed, then sleep in a pair of socks to lock in the moisture.

Use Powdered Detergent And Vinegar/baking Soda

Like baking soda, powdered laundry detergent is a great deodorizing agent. All you need to do is follow the steps outlined above , but use powdered laundry detergent instead!

• Step 1: Mix baking soda with water until you have a thick paste.
• Step 2: Apply the paste to shoes and allow it to sit overnight.
• Step 3: Brush off any excess powder in the morning.
• Step 4: Spray laundry detergent onto shoes and allow them to air dry.
• Step 5: Follow the same procedure as outlined above for vinegar or ammonia, but use powdered laundry detergent instead.
• Step 6: Then allow them to air-dry overnight. Repeat until they are odor-free!

Use Hydrogen Peroxide And Vinegar/baking Soda

Hydrogen peroxide is another natural cleanser that can be used as an alternative to vinegar or baking soda. All you need to do is follow the steps outlined above , but use HP instead!

• Step 1: Mix baking soda with water until you have a thick paste.
• Step 2: Apply the paste to shoes and allow it to sit overnight.
• Step 3: Brush off any excess powder in the morning.
• Step 4: Spray HP onto shoes and allow them to air dry.
• Step 5: Follow the same procedure as outlined above for vinegar or ammonia, but use HP instead.
• Step 6: Then allow them to air-dry overnight. Repeat until they are odor-free!

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Prevent Smelly Shoes Be Keeping Them Dry

The best way to learn how to remove smells from shoes is to not get them smelly in the first place! Prevent bad odours by eliminating common causes, such as sweat and moisture.

Getting The Stink Out Of Your Shoes

There are more sweat glands in your two feet than anywhere else on your body. And when bacteria breaks down that sweat, it can stink.

Because of all the sweat from your feet, which inevitably soaks into your shoes, stinky footwear is a rather common occurrence. While in some cases its a minor annoyance that really only impacts yourself, in others its a truly embarrassing matter people can smell it if theyre simply sitting next to you on the subway, and if you take your shoes off around folks, the stink can bowl them over!

The amount you sweat and the pungency of your body odor is partially genetic, and if youre on the more stinky end of things, youll just unfortunately have to do more to fight it .

Below youll find how to do just that. We start with a handful of tips focused on prevention, and then move into a number of mostly natural options you can try before youre forced to throw your permanently putrid footwear in an incinerator.

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Why Do My Sneakers Smell

After a kick-butt workout, you find yourself sweating, which is good news. The bad news is that sweat makes its way into every crevice, nook, and cranny.

A hot shower fixes the bodily odors, and a prewash of vinegar helps take the odor out of workout clothes. The shoes, however, are a different problem.

Sweat pools into socks and shoes and bacteria thrives in the wet environment. The bacteria break down, turning the sweat into isovaleric acid, a fatty acid that causes the offensive odors.

There are ways to combat the offensive odors, as well as ways to mask the problem.

Rocket Pure Natural Deodorizer Spray

Tester Smell Score: 4.5 out of 5

• Made in USA from all-natural ingredients
• Kept odors away after 24 hours

• Expensive for the amount you get

If youre put off by harsh chemicals, this formula from Rocket Pure draws on half-a-dozen natural agents like alcohol derived from organic cane sugar, citrus extracts, and cedarwood oil to inhibit bacterial growth . Plus, all three scents are downright awesome. Im smelling something mild, yet clean and fresh, one tester said of the peppermint and eucalyptus scent. Its hard to place, but I can hardly smell the cheese behind it.

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How Do I Clean My Smelly Running Shoes

Degrease the shoes Place the shoes in a plastic bag and tie them tightly with a knot. Mix one teaspoon of dish soap, 1/2 cup of baking soda and one gallon of hot water. Pour this mixture into the plastic bag and shake it for two minutes to completely cover your shoes. Drain the liquid from the bag and let your shoes dry completely before wearing them again.

Why Do Your Boots Or Shoes Stink Or Smell So Bad

Before going into deep, let us know why really our boots or shoes stench:

• The main reason is bacteria. The bacteria are basically everywhere in our surroundings including our bodies, clothes, shoes, etc. They feed themselves by consuming dead skin cells etc. if you un-knowingly do not take proper care of your shoe hygiene then you might just be inviting a bacterial growth at faster rates than usual, thus making your shoes bacterial breeding ground and hence ultimately making them smell.
• The second reason is sweat and dirt accumulation. Sweat and dirt mixture stick to the inside surface of your shoes creating a moist environment due to humidity on which bacteria thrive. This causes bad odor so you need to clean them every after some time.
• The third reason is fungus. Fungus is a plant that grows in dark and damp places, if any fungus happens to grow inside your shoe then you definitely have a problem with bad odor.
• The fourth reason is the leather or other materials used for making shoes. If your shoe material was not made from breathable material then it will probably make sweaty feet and that sweat will stay on your shoes until you clean them, both in winter and summertime.

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Try Baking Soda Or Vinegar

Both baking soda and distilled white vinegar can be used to reduce odors. To start off, the powdery consistency of baking soda will harden over dampened areas when left in your shoes overnight. In addition, the ingredients in the product are also good at warding off fungus.

On the other hand, distilled white vinegar, when reduced with 50 percent water, is effective at rubbing out or spraying away bad smells. Applying the mix with a cotton ball or spray bottle will combat smelly shoes. Just allow the mixture to set and dry for 30 minutes.

Homemade Foot And Shoe Deodorizers

Once you make these shoe odor removers, you can store them indefinitely. Stash a bottle of the spray or powder in your closet, and maybe another in your gym bag. Then use it immediately after you slip off your shoes. If foot odor is a severe problem, you might also want to go soak your feet as soon as youre done.

White vinegar is a natural disinfectant. Tea tree oil kills bacteria. This effective shoe spray uses both to get rid of odors and the bacteria that cause them.

Shoe Deodorizing Spray

Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and 5 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Shake well. Mist the inside of your shoes, or apply the spray to a cloth and wipe the shoe interior. Avoid getting the spray on the outside, visible part of your shoes. Once youve sprayed them, let your shoes air dry before wearing them.

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, and tea tree oil kills bacteria. Using cornstarch helps keep this shoe powder from clumping. Store it in an air-tight container so it remains effective.

Deodorizing Shoe Powder

Combine 3 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon corn starch, and 5 drops of tea tree oil in a small container. Lightly sprinkle this deodorizing powder inside your shoes after you take them off. Let it sit overnight to absorb sweat and kill odors, then shake the excess out of your shoes before wearing them.

Deodorizing Foot Soak

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Get Rid Of Odor In Shoes Naturally

Well, before we start talking about essential oils to rid stinky shoe smells, we first need to explore what is causing the odor in the first place.

1. Keep Feet Dry and Clean

Keeping your feet dry and clean is very important. When your feet are not clean, they will smell bad. You should make sure youre cleaning every day with soap and water. However, moisture can happen in clean feet, making them start to smell. When your feet sweat, or when they get wet from rain, stepping in a puddle, or spills, the moisture can start to create an odor.

2. Keep the Bacteria from Growing

In addition to the bad smell, moisture also means a breeding ground for bacteria. If you have a foot odor even when your feet are dry and just after washing them, you might have bacteria. You can try to combat this by putting anti-bacterial hand sanitizer on your feet, especially before you put them in your shoes.

3. Socks to the Rescue

Finally, you should also avoid wearing your shoes without socks. Socks help soak up the moisture and keep it away from the shoe. Also, socks can be tossed in the washer and cleaned so if your feet get smelly or sweaty in socks, you just pull them off and wash them but when that happens in your shoes, its more difficult to deal with.

Now that you know all of these tips for preventing foot odor in the first place, lets talk about how essential oils can help with stinky shoes that have already happened.

Try The Freezer Trick

You can freeze smelly shoes to kill odors. The bacteria that cause shoe odor need a warm, dark place to breed. Freezing your shoes stops that process. All you need to do is tuck them in a freezer overnight. You should probably put them in a bag first, though, so the dirty soles of your shoes dont come into contact with your frozen foods.

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Make An Essential Oil Foot Spray

There are a ton of ways you can make a simple foot spray out of essential oils, so I wanted to give you just a simple base recipe that you can modify depending on what smells you like the best .

In a small glass bottle , combine the following:

• 10 drops of Purification
• 5 drops of lemongrass
• 5 drops of oregano
• fill the bottle with water

Shake the bottle before each use. You can use it to spray directly on your feet or into your shoes. It is gentle enough for daily use.

Feel free to substitute different essential oils and see which you like best!

Seconds Shoe Disinfectant And Deodorizer

Tester Smell Score: 5 out of 5

• Neutralizes odor without an overpowering smell
• Helps absorb moisture from wet shoes

• Odor-fighting prowess diminishes after 3 months

These amazing little bean bags received top marks from every one of our testers. Since the beads are activated by heat, we suggest tossing them in your shoes while theyre still toasty from a run for the best results. Even at room temperature, Gear Halos pouches wicked moisture, eliminated nearly all stink, and smelled clean and fresh. This actually smells really nice! one tester said. Its a pleasant, lightly floral scent with no trace of the cheese.

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But First: What Causes Shoe Odor

But what causes stinky shoes, you ask? Well, the biggest cause of shoe odor is the bacteria & fungus behind it. Kinda literally. Have sweaty feet? Yep, moisture caused by sweat in shoes provides a good home for bacteria & fungi. Yummy, right!?

Other, less widespread reasons for stinky shoes include foot injury & certain medical conditions, which can cause feet & consequently your, shoes to smell foul.

This article will provide tips on how to get rid of shoe odor including, but not limited to:

• how to eliminate moisture in shoes
• how to kill odor causing bacteria in shoes
• how to freshen up your shoes

So no need to buy new shoes just because they stink. You can revive them by following some or a mix of these tips!

How To Get Rid Of Shoe Odor With Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the best home remedies for removing bad odor from any shoes. For this, all you need is some baking soda, coffee filter paper, and essential oils of your choice, as they will have good after-effects and provide a nice smell to your shoes.

Following are the steps that are done for the removal of odor by using baking soda.

• Add one to two tablespoons of baking soda to a coffee filter.
• Add a few drops of essential oil. It can be lavender oil, cedar oil, or tea tree oil, as these oils help in dysfunction and give a pleasant smell later on.
• Close the filter by twisting it and securing the coffee filter ends by using an elastic band.
• Make one sachet of baking soda for each shoe and place it in them.
• Leave the shoe undisturbed overnight.
• Baking soda will absorb all the moisture in the shoe, while essential oil will help deodorize it.
• Discard the patches in the morning from the shoe.
• You can repeat this process multiple times until the desired effects are achieved. Your shoe will be moisture and odor-free, most probably within a night.

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How To Get Rid Of Gasoline Smell On Shoes

How To Get Rid Of Gasoline Smell On Shoes. Then, use a mixture of equal parts baking soda, white vinegar and hot water to neutralize the odor. Make an orange and lemon cleaner.

First, soak up the gas with old towels or clean rags as quickly as possible. Make an orange and lemon cleaner. One was to use a cotton ball and rub scented baby oil over the surface of the shoes and sit them outside in the sun for a few hours.

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Use an absorbent medium to remove the odor. If the smell lingers, car detailing experts say a few sprays of febreze can help get rid of the smell.

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If a strong gas smell remains, soak the garment in vinegar for an hour and air dry again. If the smell lingers, car detailing experts say a few sprays of febreze can help get rid of the smell.

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Brush with water and soap. If the smell lingers, car detailing experts say a few sprays of febreze can help get rid of the smell.

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If a strong gas smell remains, soak the garment in vinegar for an hour and air dry again. One was to use a cotton ball and rub scented baby oil over the surface of the shoes and sit them outside in the sun for a few hours.

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Let it air dry for 24 hours, preferably outside. The causes of gasoline odors in your car can range anywhere from an overfilled gas cap, a leaky canister, or even an injector or fuel tank leak.

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Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz

Tester Smell Score: 4 out of 5

Searching for a foot cream worthy of Oprahs feet? Check out Footnanny, the brand that earned a spot on her 2020 List of Favorite Things. Made from tea tree oil , this cream helps absorb moisture and keep sweaty at bay, while also providing natural anti-fungal and bacteria-fighting properties. And, theres no additional harsh chemical additives. Simple ingredients like shea butter, cocoa seed, and aloe leaf provide vitamins A, C, E, and F chamomile helps soothe redness and irritation and essential oils deliver a refreshing scent. If Oprah runs another marathon, we expect shell be treating her feet to this cream at the finish line.

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Foot Sense All Natural Smelly Foot & Shoe Powder

If you want your odor gone quickly, then you can use this effective powder which will be able to remove shoe odor using natural methods. This power neutralizes stinky shoes and also destroys the odor-creating bacteria.

This product is extremely affordable, and that is one of its main selling points. It contains natural Zinc Oxide and other botanical ingredients, all of which are safe for your feet. The effect of this treatment can last up to half a year at a time.

However, if you want proper odor control, you can use it 2-3 times a month. The best part is that this product can be used with all kinds of shoes and athletic gear.

Get Bad Smell Out Of Shoes

How do you get a bad smell out of shoes?

The more we wear our favorite pair of shoes, the more we may notice that they are beginning to smell. Overuse, sweat, skin shedding, dirt, bacteria, fungus, and lack of aeration can all contribute to stinky shoes. Below are a few ways to remove the bad smell out of the shoes:

Simple methods:

• One of the best ways to remove smells from shoes is to revitalize them with a much more pleasant smell. Leave a fresh lemon or lime peel in your shoes overnight or squirt a few drops of any essential oil such as lavender into the soles of your shoes and allow the shoes to dry. Both remedies will help to eliminate odors.
• If your shoes are washable, give them a bath. You can get leather and fabric cleaner to clean up shoes that are not washer friendly, or if theyre machine safe, throw them into the washing machine or submerge and hand wash them in a detergent bath. Place your shoes in the sun or near a heater and allow them to dry out. This will help to prevent the bacterial growth that causes odor. Ensure they are completely dry before reassembling the shoes and wearing them again.
• Pop your smelly shoes in a large plastic sandwich bag and leave them in the freezer overnight. Take them out of the freezer the next day and allow them to dry naturally. The extremely cold temperature will kill the bacteria and make your shoes less stinky.

Ingredients methods:

Preventive methods:

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