How to Remove Odor From Shoes

Do you have an issue with shoes in your home giving off smelly, unpleasant odors? Smelly shoes can be a turn off for anyone especially if you are wearing them while outside the home. You may feel embarrassed if you are visiting someone and remove your shoes before entering their home.

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Don't worry, there are simple and effective ways to remove those nasty odors from your shoes without taking up a whole lot of your time.

Here are ten methods to remove odor from your shoes. 

1. Baking soda

Apply a generous amount of baking soda and let sit overnight. Dump out the baking soda in the morning. 

2. Sunshine

Take advantage of sunny days by putting your shoes outside in the sun. Moisture is a huge issue when it comes to smelly shoes. Exposure to sun dries the shoes out and helps prevent any bacterial growth.

3. Tea bags

Stuff a few unused black tea bags inside your shoes. Leave them for one day to allow the tea to absorb the odor.

4. Rubbing alcohol 

Pour rubbing alcohol over the areas in your shoes where the odors are coming from. The alcohol also disinfects the shoes while reducing bad smells. 

5. Freeze them

Place your shoes in a ziploc bag large enough to close shut. Put them in the freezer for at least 24 hours to kill odors and any bacteria that may be living on them. Remember to allow the shoes to warm up a little before wearing them.

6. Essential oils

Using a cotton ball, place a few drops of essential oils onto it and place inside your affected shoes overnigh. The essential oils will give them a clean refreshing smell. Eucalyptus, lemon, or tea tree oil are good choices.

7. Baby powder

Sprinkle baby powder inside your shoes to help freshen them up and get rid of foul smells.

8. White vinegar 

In a bottle mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Spray the mixture inside shoes and allow to dry well. The vinegar not only gets rid of odors but also eliminates bacteria. 

9. Lemon, lime, or orange peels

Place peelings of these citrus fruits inside the shoes and leave them overnight.

10. Machine wash

For extreme odor issues, you may want to throw your shoes into the washing machine in order to get them thoroughly cleaned and rid of any bad smells. Afterwards allow shoes to completely dry prior to wearing them. 

In cases where shoes are not machine washable, clean them using a clean cloth dipped in warm soapy water. A scented dish soap is a good choice as it can help greatly in getting rid of odors. Remove any soap residue with a clean damp cloth and then allow them to completely dry before wearing.

What are some methods that you use to remove odors from your shoes?