How To Refresh Bad-smelling Shoes

How to get rid of a bad smell in shoes? Sometimes the insoles and interior of a shoe stink, especially after long use. Sweat and bacteria easily adhere to the shoe fabric. Over time, the smell only gets worse and even sticks to the socks. Don’t worry, there are many easy ways to freshen up with bad-smelling shoes naturally and safely. So keep reading!

This is how you refresh bad-smelling shoes

1. Baking soda

Baking soda is certainly a familiar ingredient to you at this point, and if you’ve read our articles, you’re sure to be aware of its awesome benefits of cleaning your home. Baking soda is a completely natural substance that absorbs bad odors, dirt and moisture, and is suitable for many different surfaces. Baking soda can also refresh bad-smelling shoes.

Sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda on each shoe, especially the insoles. Let the baking soda do its job overnight and wipe the baking soda off with a dry cloth immediately in the morning. You will immediately notice the difference.

2. Talk

Talc can also refresh bad-smelling shoes. Talc works in the same way as baking soda: it absorbs moisture and prevents bad odors. There are two ways to use talc. If your shoes have been in use for a long time and stink because of it, we recommend sprinkling talcum powder inside the shoes for the night. In the morning, talc can be removed with a dry cloth.

If your shoes don’t smell very bad yet, but you know your feet are sweating a lot, sprinkle a small layer of talc on the shoes before slipping them on your feet. This reduces the odor caused by sweating of the feet, as talc absorbs moisture and with it bad odors. This works effectively in reducing odor.

3. Expulsion of odor-causing bacteria

This tip is very effective in killing bacteria. Buy a handful of fresh sage and lavender – both of these intoxicatingly scented herbs are great for removing bad odors.

Place a few sage leaves and a few lavender sprigs on each shoe. Put your shoes on the balcony or by the open window to ventilate: this will take away any unpleasant odors as you go. Let the shoes ventilate overnight and in the morning you can remove sage and lavender: you will immediately notice how your shoes are refreshed and ready to be used again.

4. Orange, lemon and grapefruit

The ingredients for this easy shoe freshener may already be in your closet! Peel an orange, lemon or grapefruit peel and place the pieces of peel on the shoes. You can also save the peel of citrus fruits you use in a separate jar and use them in your shoes if necessary. Leave on overnight, remove the shells in the morning and your shoes will smell much fresher.

5. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has a disinfectant effect and is often used to treat acne or other skin conditions, for example. Tea tree oil can be found in pharmacies and health food stores and doesn’t cost much. Apply a few drops of oil to each shoe a couple of times a week: this removes both odors and effectively kills bacteria. Easy as pie!

6. Find the cause of the bad smell

The bad smell in the shoes is due to the sweating of the feet. You may have noticed that often certain shoes stink much worse than others. Some shoes start to smell after just a few uses, while others stay comfortably fresh year after year. The material of the shoes has a big impact on this.

Prefer shoes made of breathable material. Especially the insoles of shoes have a strong smell. Also, what the shoes are used for should be considered. Running shoes and sports shoes start to smell quickly without help, but they can be extended by letting them dry properly after each use and always wearing clean socks with the shoes.

If you do not get your shoes freshly refreshed, we recommend changing the insoles at regular intervals. If the insoles are not a detachable model, you can protect the soles of the shoes with some of the means we mentioned earlier, such as talc or tea tree oil. Good hygiene in shoes is important.

7. This is how you keep your shoes fresh

• Do not wear solid toe shoes every day. Prefer sandals and breathable materials whenever possible. This is good for both feet and shoes.
• When you arrive home from work or hobbies, take off your shoes immediately and let them ventilate and dry in peace.
• All shoes absorb some odor. So remember to keep your shoes clean: brush and clean the surface of the shoes and also clean the inside with a damp cloth and liquid laundry detergent. Rub off stains and allow to dry thoroughly before next use. Certain types of shoes can also be washed lightly, either with a delicate program or by hand.

• If your feet sweat more than normal, we recommend using talc on your feet. Rub the talc directly on the soles of the feet and toes before pulling the socks and shoes on. Talc keeps moisture and bacteria at bay, feet stay fresh and dry, and shoes don’t start to smell.