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

Find the cause of the bad smell

Are you ashamed to take off your shoes in front of others? The unpleasant smell coming from inside is really 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 will help you get rid of bad smell in the blink of an eye. 

First, make it a priority to find the cause of the odor. You may be struggling with a more serious ailment, e.g. mycosis, which requires consultation with a doctor and treatment. Once you identify the cause of the unpleasant odor, you can take action.

#1 Replace the insoles

One of the most effective methods of refreshing your shoes is to replace the insoles. This is a relatively cheap solution that, in most cases, will allow you to deal with this unpleasant problem in the blink of an eye.

If you have replaced the insoles quite 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 will create the perfect environment for bacteria and even mold to grow.

#2 Air your shoes

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

For this purpose, you can place them next to an open window for a few or a dozen or so hours. A long-lasting breath of fresh air will stop your shoes from emitting unpleasant odors, and you will be able to enjoy their freshness and perfect appearance again.

#3 Use a disinfectant spray

To refresh your shoes, it is worth disinfecting them. In the era of coronavirus, there are plenty of products available in stores for disinfecting the body and various types of surfaces.

If you want, you can prepare such a preparation yourself. Just mix spirit with aloe gel in a 7:3 ratio and you're done. 

Then spray the inside of your shoes and let them dry - preferably outdoors - before putting them back on.

#4 Wash your shoes

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

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

Dry the washed shoes outdoors. However, avoid leaving them in full sun. To prevent deformation and further speed up drying, you can put several pages of newspaper rolled into balls inside the shoes. This way, the moisture will be absorbed much faster. 

However, remember that not all shoes are machine washable. In most cases, this method will work for fabric, canvas and plastic shoes, e.g. sneakers or flip-flops. Before starting this process, it is worth reading the manufacturer's recommendations.

#5 Dry your shoes thoroughly

If the insides of your shoes are wet, you must dry them completely before wearing them again. Whether the moisture present is caused by sweat, heavy rain, or laundry, getting rid of it is crucial to stopping odor from developing. 

To speed up the drying process, fill your shoes with dry towels or crumpled newspaper. This will allow the moisture to be absorbed faster.

#6 Use baking soda

Baking soda is a product that is found in virtually every home. It not only helps in obtaining higher baked goods or softening laundry, but also perfectly removes unpleasant odors from shoes. 

Pour at least 1 tablespoon of baking soda inside the shoe. Then gently tilt the shoe back and forth so that the baking soda reaches every spot and covers the entire insole. 

Remember that baking soda needs time to work effectively. For this reason, this process is best performed at night. During this time, the soda will absorb unpleasant odors and even neutralize bacteria.

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

#7 Use the freezer

Warm, dark places are ideal conditions for bacteria to grow. If you want to kill them and at the same time stop their further reproduction, give the bacteria a thermal shock and... use the freezer! 

Place your shoes in a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight. Once your shoes thaw and dry completely, you can put them back on your feet and enjoy fresh footwear again.

If you are afraid that your shoes may be damaged by this process, freeze the insoles themselves. This way, they will serve you for a long time.

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