How to Reduce Shoe Odor Using Home Remedies
It can be pretty embarrassing to take off your shoes and notice an unpleasant odor that comes out of them. It can create issues in storing your shoes or taking them off at someone else's home. Shoe odors come from bacteria that are given a nice warm dark place to live. If you're serious about getting rid of these persistent smells, choose from several home remedies to solve this problem. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Powdered bleach-free laundry detergent
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- Clean cloth
- Baking soda
- Clean socks
- Vodka
- Scented dryer sheets
- Plastic bag
Instructions
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Wash the shoes. If they are machine washable, remove the laces and put them into a pillowcase and wash them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with a scoop of bleach-free detergent. Allow the shoes to air dry outside in the sunshine. If the shoes aren't machine washable, dip a clean cloth into a solution of one quart warm water with two drops of dish soap. Gently wipe the shoes with the solution to scrub away any dirt. Rinse the shoes with a clean damp cloth. Do not run them through the clothes dryer.
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Sprinkle baking soda liberally into the shoes and leave them to sit overnight. The baking soda works to absorb odors. If you don't want to deal with cleaning up the baking soda, pour it into a couple of clean socks and stuff the socks into the shoes.
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Pour vodka into a spray bottle and spray the shoes inside and out until they are damp. Allow them to air dry.
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Place scented fabric softener sheets in your shoes overnight. Discard the sheets in the morning.
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Put the shoes in a plastic bag and place them in the freezer overnight. In the morning, take the shoes out of the freezer and out of the bag. Set them outside in the sunshine to dry out.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear clean socks to help prevent future odors in your shoes.
Try alternating pairs of shoes to avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row.
If your shoes are damp, do not put them in a dark place like your closet. It's important for that moisture to have a chance to dry out or you may end up with a mold problem.
