9 home remedies to fight odor from shoes

#1 Take care of hygiene

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

#2 Wear socks

Wearing closed shoes with bare feet is not the best idea and can 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, opt for more heavily cut foot models.

Psst! However, don't forget that your feet need a little breathing room. 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 products at the pharmacy, thanks to which you will deal with the problem faster.

#3 Use baking soda

If, despite the maximum care for hygiene and wearing good quality socks, your shoes smell unpleasant, use a product that you certainly have in your kitchen. Baking soda is one of the most effective, cheapest and at the same time the most natural weapons in the fight against excessive sweating of the feet.

All you have to do is pour it inside the shoe in an amount that will completely cover the insole and leave it for the whole night. In the morning, thoroughly shake off the product residues or get rid of them with a vacuum cleaner and you're done!

#4 Create your own anti-odor potion

Although there are plenty of ready-made shoe deodorants on the market, you can successfully 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, thoroughly shake the shoes, saying goodbye to bacteria and unpleasant odors once and for all.  

#5 Use vinegar

Although vinegar has a specific smell, mixed in equal proportions with water will work wonders in eliminating the unpleasant odor from the inside of the shoes. To enjoy the best effects, pour the prepared recipe into a bottle with an atomizer, and then evenly spray the insole in the shoes. 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 teabags after brewing black tea, act in style eco-friendly and reuse them. The tannins contained in black tea can work wonders in the fight against bacteria. Remember to squeeze the excess moisture out of the tea bags before placing them inside your shoes. Wait 24 hours and you're done - your shoes will be as fresh as when you first took them out of the cardboard box!

#8 Use citrus peels

Another way of style zero-waste is the use of citrus peels. Thanks to the essential oils contained in them, you can easily disinfect your footwear and weaken the effect of bacteria, enjoying maximum freshness. All you have to do is crush a few citrus peels and then place them in your shoes, leaving them overnight.

#9 Keep dry

Remember that the key to success in the fight against unpleasant odor from shoes is dryness. Whether your shoes are wet from rain or sweat - before you put them on again, make sure that the moisture is completely removed. Otherwise, you will not only create the perfect environment for bad odors, but also for dangerous bacteria.

To avoid such a scenario, just use old newspapers rolled into balls. Stuff them inside the shoe and let them absorb all the moisture. If you're dealing with bright, fabric sneakers, avoid magazines with colorful prints that could leave visible marks on the upper. See how simple it is?