8 Simple Tricks That Allow You To Get Rid Of Odor In Your Shoes

Bad odor in shoes is a fairly common problem that afflicts millions of people around the world. Because of their busy lives, many people care less and less about their feet. Therefore, they do not realize that their feet smell bad. The problem is that our feet sweat a lot, which creates a humid environment where bacteria can grow.

As a consequence, bad smells and infections that may point to poor hygiene are present. Fortunately, there are many antibacterial ingredients that also act as deodorants. These can help you clean shoes to neutralize the bad smell in your shoes.

In this article, we want to share 8 tricks with you that you can use to get rid of bad odor in your shoes. In addition, you do not have to buy other expensive products when using these.

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Sodium bicarbonate to get rid of bad odor in shoes

Sodium bicarbonate is a great product to use when trying to get rid of bad odor in shoes. Its antiseptic compounds eliminate bacteria and absorb excess moisture which allows the bacteria to spread.

How do you use it?

• Put some sodium bicarbonate on the inside of the shoes and leave them overnight.
• Repeat this for three consecutive nights so that the smell disappears completely.

2. Cat litter

This is a trick that is not so well known when it comes to getting rid of odor in the shoes. However, it is quite effective in getting the job done quickly. This is because cat litter  absorbs all moisture from the shoe, making it smell like a new shoe.

How do you use it?

• Fill two socks with some cat litter and put them in the shoes.
• Leave the cat litter socks in the shoes overnight and repeat the process several times if you think it is necessary.

3. Baby powder

Baby powder  gets rid of moisture and changes the environment in which microorganisms flourish. In addition, the sweet and delicate aroma neutralizes unpleasant odors and excess sweat.

How do you use it?

• Apply a large amount of baby powder to the soles of your feet just before putting on your shoes.

• You can also pour some baby powder in the smelling shoes.

4. Peel of citrus fruits

The peel of citrus fruits has antimicrobial and aromatic properties that easily remove odors in the shoes.

How do you use it?

• Cut the peel of a lemon, lime or orange into pieces and put it in your shoes for four hours.
• After the four hours have passed, take out the shells and check if the smell has disappeared.

5. Lavender flowers

Lavender flowers are very popular because of their refreshing and relaxing properties. You can find this type of flower in many houses, as they are used to neutralize unpleasant odors. What some people do not realize is that lavender flowers have such a strong aroma that they can also be used to neutralize the bad smell that can come from shoes.

How do you use it?

• Cut up some lavender flowers and put them in the smelling shoes to get rid of the bad smell.
• Leave them in their shoes overnight so they can do their work, and repeat this process several times during the week.

6. Essential tea tree oil

The antimicrobial properties and anti-fungal power of tea tree oil get rid of bad odor and eliminate bacteria that cause foot infections. When used in shoes, this essential oil neutralizes the pH value and leaves a pleasant and clean aroma.

How do you use it?

• Pour a few drops of essential tea tree oil into the shoe and let them soak in. Then use the shoe as you normally would.
• If the odor is too strong, combine this oil with a little sodium bicarbonate and leave it overnight.

7. Apple cider vinegar

The malic acid and acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar alter the environment of microorganisms created by odor and help eliminate them. Thanks to this, the use of apple cider vinegar for shoes that smell bad will slow down the spread of bad smells and bacterial growth.

How do you use it?

• Soak two large pieces of cotton in a good amount of vinegar and put them in the shoes.
• Leave them inside the shoe for two hours and see if the smell is gone.

8. Replace the insoles on your shoes

One reason why you may have a bad smell from your shoes is because the insoles of your shoes have been worn away, and this has created a culture of bacteria. Excess sweat, dust and other types of dirt get trapped in the insoles and can be the main cause of bad smells.

How do you do it?

• Wash your insoles regularly and replace them when you notice that they have worn out.

In short, you should choose one of the products above that catches your attention and try it to get rid of bad smell in shoes once and for all. Avoid mixing several of these products at the same time, as this may cause unwanted reactions.