9 home remedies to combat unpleasant shoe odor

#1 Take care of hygiene

One of the most obvious causes of unpleasant shoe odor is insufficient hygiene. Remember, however, that even daily baths will not be effective if you do not dry your feet sufficiently before putting on socks. Additionally, use antibacterial cosmetics that will prevent excessive sweating and the growth of bacteria.

#2 Wear socks

Wearing closed shoes on bare feet is not the best idea and may generate an unpleasant odor. Make sure that the socks you choose are made of natural materials, such as cotton or bamboo. If you want to hide your socks as much as possible, choose tighter sock models.

Psst! However, don't forget that your feet need a little breather. Every day, allow them to spend time without shoes and socks, e.g. at night. Otherwise, you can expect signs of fungal infections. As soon as such symptoms appear, be sure to contact your doctor, and while waiting for your appointment, buy over-the-counter medications at the pharmacy that will help you deal with the problem faster.

#3 Use baking soda

If, despite maximum attention to hygiene and wearing good quality socks, your shoes still have an unpleasant odor, use a product that you probably have in your kitchen. Baking soda is one of the most effective, cheapest, and at the same time most natural weapons in the fight against excessive foot sweating.

Just pour it into the shoe in an amount that will completely cover the insole and leave it overnight. In the morning, carefully shake off the product residues or remove them with a vacuum cleaner and you're done!

#4 Create your own anti-odour mixture

Although there are plenty of ready-made shoe deodorants on the market, you can easily make your own version. Mix half a cup of cornstarch with ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of baking powder.

Sprinkle the prepared mixture evenly over the insole, and after 24 hours, shake your shoes thoroughly, saying goodbye to bacteria and unpleasant odors once and for all.  

#5 Use vinegar

Although vinegar has a specific smell, mixed in equal proportion with water will work wonders in eliminating unpleasant odors from the inside of shoes. To enjoy the best effects, pour the prepared recipe into a spray bottle and then evenly spray the shoe insole. For best results, loosen the laces carefully to allow air to circulate freely.

#6 Apply essential oil

Essential oils have many invaluable uses. One of them is to help fight unpleasant odors. For this purpose, tea tree oil, cinnamon or clove oil will be perfect. These natural deodorants have a number of antibacterial and antifungal properties.

In addition to neutralizing the unpleasant odor, such oils will instantly make your shoes smell fresh. To enjoy these effects, all you have to do is add a few drops of the selected oil to each shoe. A proven way is also to combine it with baking soda.

#7 Use black tea

Instead of throwing away the tea bags after brewing black tea, act in style eco-friendly and reuse them. Tannins contained in black tea can work wonders in the fight against bacteria. Remember to carefully squeeze out excess moisture before placing the tea bags inside your shoes. Wait 24 hours and it's ready - your shoes will be as fresh again as when you first took them out of the cardboard box!

#8 Use citrus peels

Another way in style zero-waste is the use of citrus fruit peels. Thanks to the essential oils they contain, you can easily disinfect your shoes and weaken the action of bacteria, enjoying maximum freshness. All you need to do is crush a few citrus peels and then place them in your shoes and leave them overnight.

#9 Keep dry

Remember that the key to success in the fight against unpleasant shoe odor is dryness. Regardless of whether your shoes are wet from rain or sweat, make sure to completely remove the moisture before putting them back on. Otherwise, you will create an ideal environment not only for unpleasant odors, but also for dangerous bacteria.

To avoid this scenario, simply use old newspapers rolled into balls. Stuff the inside of your shoe with them and let them absorb all the moisture. If you are dealing with light, fabric sneakers, avoid magazines with colorful prints that could leave visible marks on the upper. See how simple it is?