7 home remedies to effectively get rid of unpleasant odors from shoes

Find the cause of the bad smell

Are you ashamed to take your shoes off in front of others? The unpleasant smell coming from inside them is actually bothersome. Fortunately, you don't have to part with them once and for all and spend money on a new pair. There are many effective home remedies that can help you get rid of bad odors in no time. 

First of all, make it a priority to find the cause of the odor. Perhaps you are struggling with a more serious ailment, e.g. mycosis, which requires consultation with a doctor and implementation of treatment. Once you have identified the cause of the odor, you can take action.

# 1 Replace inserts

One of the most effective ways to refresh your shoes is by replacing the insoles. It is a relatively cheap solution that in most cases will allow you to deal with this unpleasant problem in no time.

If you've replaced your earbuds recently, just clean them thoroughly with warm soapy water and a brush or sponge. Remember to let them dry completely before putting them back in your shoes. Otherwise, you'll create the perfect environment for bacteria and even mold to thrive.

# 2 Air your shoes

If your shoes smell bad, airing them may be enough.

For this purpose, you can place them with the window open for several or several hours. A long-lasting breath of fresh air will stop your footwear from emitting unpleasant odors, and you will be able to enjoy its freshness and perfect appearance again.

# 3 Use a sanitizer spray

To refresh your shoes, it's a good idea to disinfect them. In the era of coronavirus, there are many products available in stores for disinfecting the body and various types of surfaces.

If you want, you can prepare such a preparation yourself. All you need to do is mix the spirit with aloe vera gel in a ratio of 7: 3 and it's ready. 

Then spray the inside of the shoes with the spray and let them dry - preferably in the fresh air - before putting them back on.

# 4 Wash your shoes

Washing shoes is one of the most frequently used methods to refresh them. Precede the wash by removing the laces and insoles from the inside of the shoe. Scrub the insoles by hand using warm soapy water, and bleach the white laces with a bleaching agent.

Remember to set the lowest possible temperature on the washing machine and a long washing and rinsing cycle. The extreme heat can shrink the shoes one size or damage the adhesive.

Dry the washed shoes in the fresh air. However, avoid leaving them in direct sunlight. To prevent deformation and additionally speed up drying, you can stick a few pages of newspapers rolled into balls inside the shoes. This way, the moisture will be absorbed much faster. 

Remember, however, that not all shoes are machine washable. In most cases, this method will work well for material, canvas and plastic shoes, e.g. sneakers or flip-flops. Before starting this process, it is worth getting acquainted with the manufacturer's recommendations.

# 5 Dry your shoes thoroughly

If the insides of your shoes are wet, you must dry them completely before putting them back on. Whether the moisture you present is caused by sweat, rain or laundry, getting rid of it is crucial to stopping the formation of unpleasant odors. 

To speed up the drying process, fill your shoes with dry towels or wrinkled newspaper. As a result, the moisture will be absorbed faster.

# 6 Use baking soda

Baking soda is a product that can be found in virtually every home. Not only does it help to obtain higher baking rates or soften the laundry, but it also perfectly removes bad odors from shoes. 

Put at least 1 tablespoon of baking soda inside the shoe. Then gently tilt the shoe back and forth so that the soda goes all over the place and covers the entire footbed. 

Remember that baking soda takes time to be effective. For this reason, this process is best done overnight. During this time, the soda will absorb unpleasant odors and even neutralize bacteria.

In the morning, carefully shake the soda residue off your shoe and you're done! If you want to be extra sure that after taking your shoes off you won't leave white marks on the floor, you can use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of product residue.

# 7 Make use of the freezer

Warm, dark places are ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria. If you want to kill them and at the same time stop them from reproducing further, treat the bacteria with a thermal shock and… use the freezer! 

Put the shoes in a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight. When your shoes are frostbitten and completely dry, you can put them back on your feet and enjoy fresh shoes again.

If you are concerned that your shoes may be damaged as a result of this process, freeze the insoles themselves. In this way, they will serve you for a long time.

As you can see, removing unpleasant odors from shoes is child's play and does not require any special financial outlays. For this reason, it is worth carrying out this process on a regular basis, so that you will never be ashamed of taking off your shoes when someone unexpectedly invites you to your home.