How to Remove Shoe Odor
Can't bear the thought of sliding on your favorite pair of shoes because they stink from the last wearing? It can take diligence and time to remove shoe odor, but your shoes are worth the trouble.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Shoe Inserts
- Foot Odor Removers
- Talcum Powder
- Baking Soda
- Foot Powders
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1
Wash shoes thoroughly--inside and out--with soapy detergent and bleach.
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2
Sprinkle the insides of the shoes liberally with bicarbonate or baking soda. Leave overnight, and shake out before wearing again.
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3
Spray shoes daily with disinfectants and deodorizers specially designed for foot odor problems.
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4
Apply foot powder specially designed for foot odor problems to feet and/or shoes daily.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Look for products that absorb and combat odor-causing bacteria. A product that simply masks the odor only compounds the problem.
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Comments
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dovecom
Sep 15, 2010
start new shoes off by using something like Stuffitts shoe savers all the time, to eliminate the moisture that leads to odor. With old shoes, wash the insoles by hand if possible and air dry. hand wash shoes (not too often) or spray inside with Lysol. keep stuffitts in them to keep odors from coming back. They really work. -
jennyterz
Feb 21, 2010
I now use a shoe tree with UV light to kill the bacteria. This method seems not to be very well known but it works like a champ. UV kills 100% of the bacteria and reduces the odor greatly. The shoe tree is sold on Amazon as Sterishoe.
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katiegrey
Mar 04, 2008
Is there something I can do for open toe dress shoes or pumps? I really don't want to get rid of my FAVORITE and MOST COMFORTABLE work shoes!
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katiegrey
Mar 04, 2008
What if the shoes are open toe dress shoes or pumps? I need a remedy for shoes that cannot be thrown in the washing machine.
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MSV9326
Sep 27, 2007
After you have cleaned and deodorized your shoe, buy a shoe drier (I have the PEET Shoe Drier but there are many brands) and place your shoes on the drier IMMEDIATELY after you have finished using the shoes for the day. The drier will prevent an infestation of the microbes that cause the odor. This must be an everyday routine. If you wait until you have an odor before you use the shoe drier, its too late and you have to start over and wash and deodorize the shoes. Think of this analogy. If a clean towel is wetted and dried quickly, there will be no significant smell. If the towel is used repeatedly without washing and never fully dried, it will start smelling very soon. Once the towel starts smelling, no amount of drying will take the smell out. I had a shoe odor problem for years and the shoe drier solved the problem once and for all.
