How to Infuse Socks With Scents

Scented socks can help minimize foot odor.

Socks are not normally associated with pleasant aromas. They spend their time in a warm, sweaty environment inside shoes, where odor-causing bacteria flourish. There are several ways to minimize the distasteful scent of worn socks, including antibacterial or deodorant sprays for shoes and insoles lined with charcoal for odor absorption. Another alternative is scenting the socks themselves with a pleasant aroma before they're worn. Commercially scented socks provide a longer-lasting effect, but you can make your own at home using certain ingredients.

Things You'll Need

• Essential oils
• Fine-tipped paint brush
• Kraft or other heavy paper
• Cellophane tape
• Brown paper bag
• Lavender flowers or rose petals
• Potpourri
• Fresh whole spices
• Mortar and pestle
• Gauze

Instructions

Essential Oils Method

1. Purchase one or more essential oils from a store that handles soapmaking or other craft supplies. Oils such as tea tree, thyme and rosewood are naturally pungent.

2. Cut Kraft paper into rectangles large enough to wrap around the pairs of socks.

3. Drip one to three drops of essential oil on the paper at widely spread intervals and use a fine-tipped paint brush to spread them.

4. Wrap each pair of socks in a separate sheet of paper. Store them in their scented papers for at least three days to infuse a mild scent, or up to a month for a stronger scent.

5. Re-wrap the socks in their paper after they've been worn, washed and dried. Renew the essential oil after a month, or as needed.

Dry Aromatics Method

1. Place four to six pairs of socks in a brown paper bag.

2. Sprinkle the socks liberally with lavender flowers, rose petals or other strongly scented blossoms. Shake the bag to distribute the flowers, then roll the end to seal it. The socks will be lightly scented after at least three days in the bag. Shake out any blossoms before wearing the socks.

3. Fill the bag with 1/2 cup of your favorite potpourri, instead of flower blossoms. Check the socks every few days until the scent is strong enough.

4. Crack fresh allspice berries, cinnamon sticks, cloves or other spices in a mortar and pestle. Wrap the spices in gauze to make a sachet and place it in the bag with your socks. Check every few days until the scent is as strong as you'd like.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also infuse a gentle scent into your socks or underwear by lining your dresser drawers with scented paper. There are several commercial brands available, or you can make your own by brushing essential oil onto paper. Alternatively, sprinkle lavender flowers or any other scent ingredient into the drawer, then put paper over the blossoms.

• If you're planning to give the scented socks as a gift, bear in mind that many people are allergic to scents or flowers.