Shoes can smell bad quickly, especially if they are worn a lot during the day. Bad smells from shoes can be an embarrassing problem, while new shoes are sometimes expensive. Fortunately, there are various ways you can follow to get rid of odors in old shoes. You can wash it by hand or use the washing machine. If you don't feel like washing your shoes, try using products or materials like drying sheets or orange peel to get rid of bad odors. To prevent odors from lingering on your shoes, make sure you wear socks and use foot powder to prevent odors.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Washing Shoes
Step 1. Wash the shoes using bleach and boiling water
You can wash your shoes in a washing machine. However, try removing the odor using household products first. One option you can use is bleach and boiling water. You will need a kettle, sink, water and bleach.
- Fill the kettle with water and heat it to a boil. After that, place the shoes in the sink.
- Pour boiling water from the kettle directly on each shoe. After that, add a little bleach.
- Let the shoes sit for a few minutes, then remove the water and bleach from the shoes. Bleach kills odor-causing bacteria on shoes.
Step 2. Clean the shoes using baking soda and vinegar
Another deodorizing method uses kitchen products. In this method, you can use baking soda and vinegar to get rid of bad odors. All you need is baking soda, vinegar, and a sink big enough to hold your shoes.
- Fill each shoe with 240 grams of baking soda. After that, pour the vinegar. The baking soda will foam afterward.
- Let the mixture foam for about 15 minutes.
Step 3. Wash the shoes in the washing machine
Once you've used the desired cleaning agent, you can remove the odor by washing your shoes in the washing machine. To keep your shoes safe during washing, you will need a pillowcase and detergent.
- If possible, remove the laces before you start washing.
- Put the shoes in the pillowcase, then place the pillowcase in the washing machine.
- Use normal wash cycle and hot water. Add plenty of detergent to get rid of the smell. For white shoes, you can also add bleach.
- If the smell of the shoes is very strong, one wash cycle may not be enough. You need to wash your shoes in two wash cycles.
- Dry the shoes by drying them. Drying machines can make shoes shrink.
Part 2 of 3: Removing Odors Without Washing Shoes
Step 1. Use a black teabag
Black tea bags contain tannins, substances that can kill bacteria. Put a black teabag inside your shoe to kill odor-causing bacteria.
- You will need to soak the teabags in boiling water before using them. After that, remove the tea from the water and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Put one tea bag in each shoe. After that, let it sit for about an hour.
- Remove the tea and use a paper towel to absorb the remaining tea. Check to see if the odor in the shoes has been reduced.
Step 2. Put the cat litter in the shoe and leave it overnight
Cat litter products that are still clean are usually mixed with an odor neutralizing agent. Make sure you buy products that are designed to control odors, as these can be used to get rid of odors in shoes.
- Put the litter in the shoe. After that, leave the shoes overnight or until the unpleasant odor has been eradicated.
- Remove all litter from shoes. You can shake the shoe to remove all (or at least, most) of the litter. Use paper towels to remove small litter particles.
Step 3. Use a dryer sheet or dryer sheet
This product is formulated to freshen clothes so it can be used on shoes. Its use is quite easy. You just need to insert a dryer sheet into each shoe. After that, wear shoes as usual. The fresh aroma from the dryer sheet will penetrate the fibers of the shoes so that unpleasant odors can be reduced.
Throw away the dryer sheet after use. You need to use a new sheet every time you put on your shoes
Step 4. Place the shoes in the freezer
The freezing process of shoes can remove odors. To freeze shoes, place both shoes in a sealed plastic bag. Cold temperatures can damage your shoes so it's important to place them in a sealed bag before storing them in the freezer.
- Leave the shoes overnight. Cold temperatures can kill odor-causing bacteria.
- Wait for the shoes to begin to feel soft and stretchy before wearing them. Cold temperatures can eradicate (or at least reduce) bad odors.
Step 5. Insert the orange peel into each shoe
The smell of fresh citrus can eradicate unpleasant odors in shoes. In addition, the orange peel will also give a sweet aroma to the shoes. Put a few orange peels on each shoe and leave it overnight. In the morning, the shoes will smell fresh and sweet.
Step 6. Use socks and ground coffee
If you have an old sock, cut off the toes. Fill each section with 120 grams of ground coffee. Tie socks and tuck them into each shoe. Coffee can get rid of bad odors overnight.
Step 7. Use vinegar
Pour 240 ml of vinegar into each shoe. You can hear hissing and foaming from inside the shoe. Let the shoes sit for 15 minutes. After that, rinse the shoes. Now, the bad smell is gone.
Step 8. Use baking soda
Without other ingredients, baking soda alone can neutralize bad odors. To use it, simply sprinkle baking soda on the inside of the shoe. Leave the baking soda overnight. In the morning, the bad smell will disappear or lessen.
Step 9. Get rid of the smell from the shoes using alcohol
This substance can eradicate odor-causing bacteria on shoes. Take a bottle of alcohol and carefully coat the inside of the shoe with rubbing alcohol. Make sure the alcohol doesn't get on the outside of the shoe.
Place the shoes in the open. After that, let stand until the alcohol dries
Part 3 of 3: Preventing the Reappearance of Odor in Shoes
Step 1. Wash your feet
If the feet are clean, the unpleasant odor will not stick to the shoes. Bacteria on your feet can multiply quickly, so make sure you always wash your feet thoroughly.
- Clean your feet with soap. Scrub the feet thoroughly and clean the soiled areas, then rinse with water.
- When you step out of the shower or bathroom, make sure you dry your feet thoroughly.
Step 2. Don't wear the same shoes two days in a row
Allow time for the shoes to dry. Damp shoes are at risk of becoming a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria. Change the shoes you wear every day.
Step 3. Use foot powder
This product can reduce sweat on the feet. Thus, the odor in the shoes can be reduced. Sprinkle the product on your feet before you put on your shoes every day.
Step 4. Put on socks
Socks act as a barrier between the foot and the shoe. Make sure you wear new socks every day. By wearing socks regularly, bad odors in shoes can be eradicated or reduced.
