Published: 2014-03-31 - Updated: 2021-08-17
Author: Disabled World | Contact: Disabled World (Disabled-World.com)
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Household Tips Publications
Synopsis: Handy tips and tricks to help eliminate bad odor from smelly shoes and boots quickly. Stinky shoes and/or smelly feet can be not only annoying, but a source of embarrassment as well. The proper term for smelly feet is Bromhidrosis (smell of bacteria growing on the body) or Hyperhidrosis (abnormally increased perspiration). Although cleaning the shoes regularly will kill the bacteria, and washing the foot prevents them from growing, the reality is that preventing moisture by using a talcum powder is the best solution.
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Main Digest
Humidity and warmth in the shoes is what causes the bacteria that create the odor.
Stinky shoes and/or smelly feet can be not only annoying, but a source of embarrassment as well. The proper term for smelly feet is Bromhidrosis (smell of bacteria growing on the body) or Hyperhidrosis (abnormally increased perspiration). It is an unfortunate part of an active lifestyle, as even the smallest bit of sweat can create a pair of smelly shoes.
Although cleaning the shoes regularly will kill the bacteria, and washing the foot prevents them from growing, the reality is that preventing moisture by using a talcum powder is the best solution. Other steps to help prevent stinky shoes include; washing your feet with an antibacterial soap, wear clean leather shoes, cotton socks, and change shoes daily, and use a good quality foot spray at night.
Tips for Getting Rid of Shoe and Boot Odor
- Keep a sock full of kitty litter and baking soda that has been knotted at the top in the shoes overnight each evening.
- Sprinkle a teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda into each shoe, shake well to ensure the powder penetrates down to the toe and all over the inside of the shoe, and leave overnight.
- Add some cloves to your stinky shoes, and stinky drawers for that matter. Tie a handful of cloves in a handkerchief and place in each shoe. Let them sit for a few hours, for exceptionally bad smelling footwear, leave the cloves longer, until the smell is gone. You can do the same for your sock drawer.
- Place a sheet of dryer fabric softener into your shoes after wearing. A sheet will last for about a week.
- Place the shoes in a zipper-lock plastic bag and put them in the freezer overnight. The freezing temperatures will kill most of the odor causing bacteria.
- Break some charcoal into small pieces and place inside an old pair of tights, put them into a pair of smelly shoes or boots overnight.
- Dry your shoes by putting them near a heater or in a warm sunny spot. Take out the shoe laces and lift the tongue up and out to dry the shoes out faster. By keeping your shoes dry, you help prevent bacterial growth that causes the bad odor.
- Put a mixture of baking soda, baking powder and cornstarch in a pair of cotton socks and stick in the shoes overnight.
- Salt has been reported as being effective in canceling out moisture which causes the bacteria in shoes to smell bad. Apply 2 teaspoons of salt into each shoe and they will smell better in a couple of hours.
- Try soaking your feet in baking soda, soap, and a little white vinegar to help stench as vinegar is a natural disinfectant.
- Make a pouch out of muslin and fill with bicarbonate of Soda and add a few drops of Tee Tree Essential oil. The Bicarbonate will absorb any odors and the Tea Tree any bacteria.
- Spray the shoes with a mix of 50/50 white distilled vinegar and water into your shoe lining and soles and let air dry for 30 minutes. Use a hair dryer if you are in a hurry to dry the shoes. Follow up with baking soda in the shoe overnight.
- Try sprinkling some baking soda in the shoes and let the powder absorb the odor overnight. Empty the powder before putting the shoes back on.
- Purchase some activated charcoal, split them up into small pieces and put them into bags together with some cotton balls moistened with lavender or eucalyptus oil.
Commercial Products for Smelly Shoes and Boots
Companies like Tineacide, 2Toms and Dr. Scholl's all sell a foot spray that works as an effective shoe deodorizer.
- Cedarsoles insoles - The cedarwood that these are made from is a natural antifungal and will help prevent shoe or boot odor.
- Smelleze Sneaker, Shoe & Boot Deodorizer - Specially developed to adsorb, neutralize, and encapsulate many unpleasant footwear odors on contact. Smelleze will cleanse your sneakers, shoes, and boots of stinky odors and result in fresh, clean smelling footwear. People with foot odor problems will never have to worry about smelly shoes again. As an added benefit, Smelleze can also be used in stored shoes and boots to adsorb moisture and prevent mildew and cracking.
- Antifungal foot powder and antibacterial sprays - These can be purchased at most local convenience, grocery or drug stores.
- O-Liminator - A new and easy way to tackle bacteria, odor and moisture buildup. Recommended for use in sports bags, shoes, sneakers, work boots, cars, closets, lockers, athletic gear, or around the house where odors may exist.
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• Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2014, March 31). Eliminate Smelly Shoes and Boots Odor. Disabled World. Retrieved December 3, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/household/tips/shoes.php
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FAQs
Wash the shoes, add in a couple of teaspoons of baking soda, and try a hospital-grade disinfectant spray to deodorize them. Other essential oils and tea tree oils are known to combat bad odors. Try a deodorizing essential oil spray for an all-natural solution.
How do you permanently get the smell out of shoes? ›
Put a mixture of baking soda, baking powder, and cornstarch in a pair of cotton socks and stick in the shoes overnight alternatively. White vinegar can also be used to neutralize odors and remove the bacteria found in shoes. You should use a vinegar and water solution to battle the odor.
How do you fix stinky feet and boots? ›
Use baking soda Baking soda seems to have a ton of uses and getting rid of smell is one of them. Either soak your feet in a water and baking soda mixture after work each day, or sprinkle some in the bottom of your boots before you put them on.
What is the best cleaner for smelly shoes? ›
To Remove Odor, Try One of These: - 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: Put the peroxide in a spray bottle (or put a sprayer on the peroxide bottle) and spritz the inside of the shoes, and let dry. This acts as a disinfectant killing bacteria. - TEA TREE OIL: This is an anti-bacteria, anti-microbial.
How long does it take baking soda to deodorize shoes? ›
Wait a few hours, preferably overnight. The baking soda will kill odor-causing bacteria and absorb odors. Extra-stinky shoes may require 24 hours. Over a trashcan or the sink, tap the shoe to remove the remaining baking soda from the inside.
Does freezing shoes remove odor? ›
Place your shoes into a large resealable bag and place it in the freezer overnight. The arctic temperatures zap bacteria and leave you with a scent-free pair in the AM.
Can you soak shoes to get rid of smell? ›
Clean Smelly Shoes with Baking Soda
Baking soda has many superpowers, neutralizing unpleasant odors chief among them. Simply pour some into your shoes and let them sit overnight. The powder will soak up excess moisture while you sleep, leaving your kicks clean and dry in the morning.
What kills odor in boots? ›
First, try using a teaspoon of baking soda into a thin cotton cloth (or a spare sock), and place the knotted fabric into each boot overnight to absorb the odor. If that doesn't work, you can also place a dryer sheet with some cloves in your shoes for a few hours to combat the smell.
Why do my boots smell so bad? ›
Obviously, the core reason for boots smelling comes from your feet perspiring. As they sweat and moisture seeps in the boot's material, bacteria and fungi thrive in the warm, humid conditions. By washing your feet often with antibacterial soap you will kill bacteria and the smell that comes with it.
Can you soak smelly shoes in vinegar? ›
Using a mixture of 2 parts vinegar and 1 part hot water, soak the insoles for a few hours. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and will work to kill the bacteria hiding in the shoes.
Disinfectant Spray: Lysol Disinfectant Spray is great for killing the bacteria in your shoes. Spray the Lysol in your shoes and then spray a clean pair of socks and put them in your shoes. Let the socks sit in your shoes overnight; they will help the Lysol soak into your shoes and kill the bacteria.
Can I put baking soda in my shoes and wear them? ›
To minimize shoe odors, after each wearing, put a sachet of baking soda inside each of the shoes to absorb the odors until you're ready to wear them again.
What happens if you put baking soda in your shoes? ›
Baking soda is a household staple and an effective solution for deodorizing shoes, says Sokolowski. Sprinkle some baking soda into the interior of the shoes and let them sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, shake out the excess baking soda. Repeat if needed.
Does Febreze work on shoes? ›
Helps keep the smell down. I use it in my riding shoes (I sweat like there is no tomorrow). In the summer, I have to rinse my shoes out and then spray them down. It doesn't eliminate the odor but it does make it possible to keep them in my car.
How to get smell out of shoes after wearing them without socks and sweating? ›
—if you wear them without socks. "You can clean and deodorize sneakers with baking soda," she says. Sprinkle it in your shoes and let them sit overnight, then dump out the baking soda in the morning. "You can also machine wash them using a gentle wash.
Does putting dryer sheets in shoes work? ›
Tame the Odor of Stinky Shoes
Tennis shoes, sandals, and even flip flops can all be freshened up with new dryer sheets! For closed shoes, just tuck an unused dryer sheet down into each shoe and leave it overnight.
Can tea bags get rid of smelly shoes? ›
Bad odor in shoes is caused by bacteria in the warm moist inside of your shoes. Getting them dried out will help kill that bacteria and cut down on smell as well. Tea bags work well for fighting odor because they are so absorbent.
Does baking soda help smelly boots? ›
Baking soda is a Ph neutralizer, so it works great for eliminating odor. The baking soda helps eliminate the bad smell which is caused by sweat. Putting baking soda in boots is a simple and cheap way to eliminate odors.
Why do my feet stink after wearing boots? ›
Wearing shoes and socks traps sweat and bacteria, often making foot odor worse. Bacteria collect in your shoes, socks, and on your skin. The bacteria multiply, eating the dead skin cells and oil that are on your feet. As the bacteria breaks down, it releases a smelly odor.
How do you get the smell out of shoes without washing them? ›
How to Remove Smell From Shoes Without Washing? If your shoes are not machine washable, you can use the baking soda mixture. Start by mixing a quarter cup of baking soda, half a cup of cornstarch, and a quarter cup of baking powder. Sprinkle the mixture in your shoes and let it rest overnight.
Never put boots in a washing machine because it can damage them. If you plan to waterproof your boots, do it while they're still wet. Most boots are waterproof when you first buy them, so you don't need to waterproof them until you start to notice that water drops no longer bead up on the surface.
How do you get the smell out of leather shoes? ›
Use rubbing alcohol Spray a small amount of rubbing alcohol (ethanol) inside your leather shoes. If you forget to dilute the leather, you could damage the leather. Apply white vinegar Once your smelly leather shoes have dried, wipe the interiors with white vinegar.
How do you clean the inside of smelly boots? ›
To start, mix together water and vinegar in equal parts. Dab a sponge or towel into the mixture and apply it to the interior of the boot. Once the inside has been thoroughly scrubbed and coated, let the boots dry before wearing them again. The vinegar is acidic enough to kill bacteria that cause boot smell.
Does hydrogen peroxide deodorize shoes? ›
Hydrogen peroxide can definitely be used to remove the smell coming from your shoes. It is a natural cleanser that can easily be used for cleaning your shoes and removing the smell. Hydrogen peroxide directly oxidizes and detoxifies the bacteria causing your shoes and feet to smell.
How do you get the smell out of shoes in 5 minutes? ›
How To Remove Smell From Shoes
- Use Baking Soda. Use a coffee filter, some baking soda, and a rubber band to make the ultimate odor eliminator! ...
- Use Cotton Balls. ...
- Use Sunshine. ...
- Use Your Freezer. ...
- Use Lemon Peels. ...
- Use Rubbing Alcohol. ...
- Use A Bar Of Soap.
Wipe Off Excess Dirt
Start by brushing off any soil with a cloth dipped in a solution of equal parts cool water and distilled white vinegar. This works particularly well to remove any winter salt stains. Allow the shoes to air dry completely.
What do bowling alleys use to disinfect shoes? ›
One of the most common sprays used in bowling alleys is Lysol Disinfectant spray. Lysol is a household cleaning product that contains ethanol, alkyl, dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, and more. The ingredients may seem harsh and foreign, but they are effective at killing germs and bacteria.
How do you disinfect the inside of leather shoes? ›
Cleaning the Inside of Your Leather Shoes
Place the insole on a separate soft cloth or newspaper, clean it with a mild detergent or cleanser and scrub with a damp cloth. Use an anti-bacterial spray to clean leather shoe insoles, as a soft mist can kill any bacteria nesting inside.
Can you use isopropyl alcohol to clean shoes? ›
Isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol, is a powerful antiseptic that can fight odour-causing bacteria in your shoes. Simply mix some alcohol and water in a spray bottle and mist the interior of your shoes. Be sure to use an alcohol that ranges in strength from 70–99%, and let your shoes dry overnight.
Why do my feet smell so bad even after I wash them? ›
“The primary cause is from a lack of ventilation for your feet. There are thousands of sweat glands in feet, which produce quite a bit of sweat each day. The unpleasant smell comes when the perspiration isn't allowed to evaporate.”
Sweating. Sweating in the groin area can attract fungus and bacteria that can lead to a bad smell. Showering after exercise or athletic activity can help reduce the bad-smelling effects of smells related to sweating. Putting on clean, dry clothes after a sweat session can also help.
Why do my feet smell with every shoe? ›
Bacteria and sweat from your feet can pass on to the soles of your shoes. And since you can pick up more bacteria from wearing shoes, it creates a vicious cycle. So it's important to keep your shoes clean and dry if you want to get rid of foot odor permanently.
Does Epsom salt get rid of foot odor? ›
A foot bath, with the right ingredients, can help combat stinky feet. Epsom salt is one of the best ingredients you can add. When you add Epsom salt, you're working to control the bacteria that is contributing to your stinky feet.
Does vinegar deodorize shoes? ›
The vinegar helps to kill bacteria that cause shoes to smell and the smell of vinegar soon vanishes once it has dried. Mix a solution of 50% water 50% white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the inside of your shoes and allow to dry. If you are in a hurry use a hair dryer.
