How to Deodorize Shoes to Avoid Any Further Embarrassment

Smelly shoes can be a real problem. They stink badly, and the worst part is, it constantly makes you think of it wherever you are. So, to get you out of trouble, you must know the basics of how to deodorize shoes at home. 

What gets on the nerves is smelly footwear makes you question yourself, “Are my feet that stinky?” but that’s not your toes. Actually, it’s the bacteria that cause the headache. Although these microorganisms aren’t harmful to your health directly, they can make you embarrassed in front of others. 

But no more!

This blog will guide you on how to give your shoes a spa day. You’ll learn effective ways from using a shoe tree to the sunlight method, all serving the same purpose: “how to get rid of the smell on shoes”.

Let’s begin *clap, clap*

Why Shoes Smell in the First Place

Your feet have a house, and that’s your footwear. If you don’t take care of them, clean and air them out, they’re going to stink badly.

The smell of the shoe, as mentioned above, is caused by the bacteria. These are the kinds that work in warm and moist areas (sweat of your feet). They thrive in your shoe, multiply, and, of course, produce waste, leading to an unpleasant odor.

Know that moisture is never a good thing when it comes to shoes. If the footwear doesn’t have good ventilation, the moisture soaks in – inviting mold, mildew, and bacteria. This is why it’s important to opt for ones that offer great breathability, such as luxurious men’s leather sneakers or well-stitched men’s leather loafers.

Now, let’s move on to the business and learn how to deodorize shoes.

Fresh-Shoe Tricks That Actually Work

You can shatter your confidence just with a shoe smell. However, getting rid of the smell on the shoe isn’t hard and doesn’t require you to run to the store to grab those fancy instruments costing you a lot. Below are some techniques you can work out at home to get the smell out of shoes.

1. Baking Soda Method

• Sprinkle or put one scoop of baking soda in each shoe.
• Let it sit overnight and absorb the foul odor.
• Clean the shoe in the morning by brushing or shaking it well.
• For a better result, you can also add cornstarch to the baking soda.

Avoid following the same method for women’s leather loafers. Rather, add a cornstarch+baking soda mixture in a sock and then place it in the shoe.

2. Vinegar Spritz

People believe this is one of the easiest ways to figure out how to fix smelly shoes. What you need to do first is:

• Prepare an equal amount of water and white vinegar solution.
• Fill it into a spray bottle. 
• Gently mist on the inside of the shoe.
• Once done, leave it to dry. 
• The next morning, you’ll have fresh shoes with no odor or vinegar smell.

3. Sunlight Technique

• Take your shoe out in the sun.
• Keep it there under the sunlight.
• This will allow the heat of the sun to get rid of the moisture built up inside.

Men’s leather shoes will work just fine here, but ensure they’re not the light or dyed ones. Otherwise, too much heat and light can fade the shade.

4. Freezing Method

This is one of the craziest methods when learning how to get rid of stinky shoes because it actually kills those bacteria that cause foul smell. Now:

• Take a plastic bag and put your shoe in it. 
• Freeze it overnight.
• Take it out the next morning and let it warm to room temperature. Avoid any heat source.

So, if you have a big day ahead and want to freshen up your footwear, this one’s it.

5. Essential Oils

Not many people know, but tea tree oil (also lavender and cedarwood) is a naturally deodorizing. What you need to do is:

• Take a few drops of any of the oils, say tea tree, onto a cotton ball.
• Leave this cotton ball in your shoe for a night.
• The oil will make sure the bacteria are taken care of and also leave a lasting scent.

If you had a rough day or lots of sports, try it on a men’s or women’s leather sneakers.

Prior Treatment Before Odor Occurs

Although getting rid of the foul scent is okay, it’s even “Okay-er”  to avoid it from happening in the first place. So, for that, here are simple ways you can follow:

Rotate Footwear

Avoid wearing the same shoes every day. Let it rest and air out. You can try your sneakers on one day, then the shoes the next day. Remember to dress appropriately.

Don’t forget to wear socks

Opt for cotton or breathable socks that can wick the sweat on your feet. This will avoid bacterial production, eventually leading to no odor. 

Insolve Replacement Works too

Old ones become spongy after months of sweat. So it’s better to replace them every few months, depending on the usage.

Oh, and just know that other than keeping your shoes in shape, cedar shoe trees also absorb moisture and leave a fresh, pleasant fragrance.

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