How to Decrease the Odor From Boots

It doesn't have to be so bad.

We've all experienced it -- taking off our boots and being hit in the face with a foul smelling odor. Wearing boots frequently without properly caring for them only makes odors stronger and harder to remove. Luckily, if you catch the problem early, decreasing the odor from your boots is easy with a few household products. Once you remove the odor from your boots, maintain your clean smelling footwear a couple of times a week.

Instructions

1. Unlace your boots completely. Pull the tongue away from the boot.

2. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to a bowl. Add enough warm water to create a thick paste. Run the bristles of a toothbrush under warm water. Dip the toothbrush in the paste. Scrub the inside of your boots with the toothbrush, including the tongue. Place the boots in the sun or warm area and let the mixture dry completely.

3. Dampen a cloth and clean out the inside of the boots once the paste dries. Wipe the cloth thoroughly over the inside of the boot, as well as the tongue. The baking soda traps the bacteria, which helps eliminate the odor.

4. Wipe the inside of the boots down with a clean, dry rag. Place the boots in a warm area or in the sun and allow them to dry thoroughly.

5. Keep your boots unlaced. Sprinkle clean cedar shavings in the boots and allow them to remain for 24 hours. The cedar freshens the smell and absorbs excess odors.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the outside of your boots with a damp rag and a bit of dish soap. Wipe off any dirt or grime on the soles and upper part of the boots. Keeping the outside of your boots clean helps with the smell.

• Air out your boots after each wearing. Unlace the laces as loosely as possible before placing the boots in a dry, warm area. Place satchels of baking soda or cedar shavings in your boots each night.

• Wear breathable socks when you wear your boots. Change your socks if they become saturated with perspiration. Keeping your socks clean and letting your feet breathe helps minimize odor-causing bacteria.

• Place odor-absorbing boot pads or shoe pads in your boots. Pads help absorb perspiration.

• Place your boots in air-tight bags and put them in the freezer for a few days. The cold kills bacteria.

• Always wear socks when you wear boots, but never wear synthetic socks.

• Retire boots that still smell foul after cleaning. This means that the bacteria still resides in the boots and the smell will not get better.

References

• Power Feet: How to Get Foot Smell out of Your Shoes
• YGoy: How to Get Rid of Smelly Feet

Resources

• Your Foot Health: Foot Odor-Smelly Feet Problem