Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of Shoe Odor
If your shoes always release a bad odor once you take them off, this is the time to get rid of them. It is never a good experience when you take off your shoes, and everybody starts to get busy. In this article, I am set to show you the best 9 remedies that you can use to get rid of shoe odor at home fast and naturally. Also, you can use these remedies to get rid of the pet odors.
What Causes Shoe Odor?
Before we start combating shoe odor, it is important to know what causes that awful shoe odor. To begin, let’s say that bacteria are the main cause of shoe odor. Once they grow on your shoe and feet, they start feeding on the dead skin cells which in turn causes a bad odor.
So, where do these bacteria back from? Okay, naturally your feet will start sweating when locked in that poorly ventilated shoe for many hours. This results in a warm and moist environment which is a perfect home for the bacteria.
Secondly, shoe odor can be a result of other foot-related complications such as wounds and nail fungus. Having that said, we can now go ahead and get rid of shoe odor at home using natural remedies.
How to Deal with Shoe Odor at Home?
Getting rid of the stinky smell from the shoes involves only one mission, to ensure bacteria do not grow on our feet. Using the following remedies will kill and repel any bacteria from attacking your feet, leaving your feet healthy and odorless.
1. Proper Hygiene
Maintaining proper hygiene is the first step in fighting shoe odor. As I had mentioned earlier, our feet will naturally sweat when locked tight inside the shoes. The sweat is absorbed by the shoes and socks, which later provide accommodation for bacteria. For this reason, shoes should be alternated and washed regularly and socks cleaned and changed on a daily basis.
Your feet hygiene also matters a lot when it comes to feet odor. Remember, bacteria feed on dead skin cells, and as we all know, our feet’ skin dies and starts to peel off. So, not scrubbing your feet will leave a party for the bacteria. Always dedicate a few minutes to scrub your feet every time you bathe. Another thing is never to put on wet socks or shoes.
2. Proper footwear
The type of shoes you wear will always dictate whether your feet will stick or not. Tight and poorly ventilated shoes like synthetic boots are more prone to odor. This is because there is not enough air circulation which results in a moist and stinky environment. Avoid wearing poorly ventilated shoes for long and ensure you wear a pair of socks every time you wear such shoes. Equally important, avoid the use of nylon and polyester socks.
3. The mixture of Baking soda and essential oil
Both of these substances have the capability to independently get rid of shoe odor. So, by combining them, you achieve a much more effective remedy for dealing with shoe odor. Odorless and nice-smelling shoes are what this remedy promises.
How to go about it
- Mix some baking soda with a few drops of essential oil and stir
- Sprinkle the mixture inside the shoe (do not rub)
- Leave the shoe for a few hours (preferably overnight)
- Shake to remove the mixture from the shoes.
In this remedy, you are not restricted to a particular essential oil; you are free to use any of your choices.
4. Black Tea Bags
I am not kidding you, bags of black tea can help you to kick out bad odor from your shoe. They work by absorbing the bad odor and also killing the odor-causing bacteria.
How to go about it
- Get 3 or 4 used black tea bags and dry them completely
- Place the tea bags inside the shoes
- Leave for an hour or so
- Remove and dispose of the tea bugs
5. Baking soda
Did you know that you can use baking soda powder to get rid of shoe odor? Baking soda is a good absorbent and deodorizer. These properties give it the power to eliminate bad odor on shoes.
How to go about it
- Sprinkle some baking soda on the shoes
- Leave it overnight
- Dust the baking soda off your shoes
6. Alcohol
Alcohol is no friend to bacteria; it kills them instantly. This is the apparent reason why we are using alcohol to fight shoe odor. Add to that, alcohol is a good disinfectant.
How to go about it
- Make sure your shoes are dry (not to dilute the alcohol)
- Pour alcohol on a piece of cloth
- Use the cloth to clean the inner side of the shoe
- Repeat the last two steps until the shoe gets relatively
- Leave the shoes to dry
7. Essential oils
Essential oils are well-known for their exclusive care of skin, and hair and their ability to cure some health conditions. To add to their capability, essential oils offer an effective and natural way of addressing shoe odor.
How to go about it
- Apply any of the essential oils on the inner sole of the shoe
- Scramble some papers and place them inside the shoe
- Leave overnight
8. Vinegar and water
Just like alcohol, this remedy works by killing and preventing any bacteria from attacking your shoe. Its acidic and sour properties make it good for fighting bacteria.
How to go about it
- Mix 2 cups of vinegar and 3 gallons of water in a tab
- Soak your shoes in the solution
- Leave the shoes to dry
9. Citrus peels
Last on our list is the citrus peels trick. Citrus fruits like orange and lemon contain citric acid and pleasant smells as well. These two things are one to help us get rid of shoe odor fast and naturally.
How to go about it
- Peel a fresh citrus fruit
- Place the peels inside the shoes
- Leave overnight
Final Verdict
To some people, removing shoes is a private matter, but not anymore with these natural remedies. Try any of them and get rid of the stinky smell from the shoes fast and naturally.
