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How to Eliminate Shoe Odor

Overuse, sweat, skin shedding, dirt, bacteria, fungus, and lack of aeration can contribute to stinky shoes.

With time, shoes can develop an unpleasant smell due to overuse, sweat, skin shedding, dirt, bacteria, fungus, and lack of aeration.

Below are ways to remove shoe odor:

Simple methods:

To remove smells from shoes, revitalize them with a pleasant smell. Leave a fresh lemon or lime peel in your shoes overnight or use a few drops of lavender essential oil in the soles. Both remedies will help eliminate odors.
If your shoes are washable, clean them. Use leather and fabric cleaner for non-washable shoes or machine wash them if safe. Dry them thoroughly before wearing again to prevent bacterial growth.
Put your shoes in a plastic sandwich bag and freeze them overnight. Allow them to dry naturally. The cold temperature kills bacteria and reduces odor.

Ingredients methods:

Apply baby powder to your feet or socks to keep them dry. Baby powder helps neutralize odors and deodorize shoes.
Use black tea bags to fight odor. Boil tea bags, let them cool, and place them in your shoes for an hour. Remove the tea bags and wipe off any excess liquid.
Use tea tree oil to reduce odor. Sprinkle a few drops inside your shoes. Dilute tea tree oil before applying it directly to the skin.
Insert cedarwood insoles to keep shoes fresh. Cedarwood has natural antifungal properties.
Use an odor remover spray with bacteria and enzymes that eat away odor-causing elements.
Sprinkle baking soda inside shoes to absorb odors. Dust off before wearing. Alternatively, mix baking soda, baking powder, and cornstarch in cotton socks and leave them in the shoes overnight.
Neutralize odors and remove bacteria using a vinegar and water solution. Spray it inside the shoes and let them dry.
Add cloves to your shoes to eliminate odor. Tie cloves in a handkerchief and leave them in each shoe for a few hours.
Place a soap bar inside your shoes overnight. The porous nature of soap eliminates odor.

Preventive methods:

Wash your feet with antibacterial soap to kill bacteria and prevent odor.
Change your socks often and avoid cotton socks. Use woolen or bamboo socks that wick moisture away from the skin.

Excessive sweating of the feet, known as plantar hyperhidrosis, can be inconvenient and cause problems like soggy feet and ruined shoes.

If you experience these problems, consider these products for sweaty feet:

Antiperspirant products such as Certain Dri feet moisture control pads, Carpe antiperspirant lotion, and SweatBlock wipes and lotions.
Foot and sneaker powders for absorbing sweat and odor.
Peel-and-stick absorbent shoe liners or insoles like Summer soles.
Sweat-proof socks with a wicking interior.
Shoe dryers to quickly dry your shoes.
Sneakers with a breathable mesh top.
Antibacterial soap for your feet.
Antifungal foot spray or powder to use at night.
Shoe dryers available online to help dry shoes quickly.

Sweaty feet can become smelly due to germs breaking down sweat on the skin. Preventing sweaty and smelly feet can be achieved through these measures:

Wash your feet daily with antibacterial soap, focusing on the areas between the toes.
Soak your feet in a salt or vinegar soak once a week.
Dry your feet thoroughly and apply cornstarch or foot powder.
Wear clean, moisture-wicking socks and ensure dry feet before wearing shoes.
Use natural or acrylic fiber wicking socks instead of cotton or nylon.
Keep toenails short and clean.
Remove hard skin from the soles with a pumice stone.
Avoid tight-fitting, synthetic shoes and alternate shoes daily to allow them to dry.

Treatment options vary depending on symptoms. Common treatments for sweaty feet include:

How Do You Get a Bad Smell Out of Shoes Home Remedies