Shoe odor is a common issue that many people encounter, particularly when moisture becomes trapped in their shoes. Whether it is sweaty sneakers after a workout, or the usual shoes you often wear, any smell from any of these is usually very hard to ignore. Fortunately, this particular problem has very simple solutions. By applying effective home remedies for shoe odors in commercial products, you can bring freshness back to your shoes.
Through this blog, we will be exploring the best ways to remove shoe odor, measures that would prevent the shoe odor and helpful tips that would keep the footwear fresh for a fairly long time.
Common Causes of Shoe Odor
Shoe odor typically arises from moisture, especially from sweaty feet. The moist setting fosters the growth of bacteria, which produces an unpleasant smell. Wearing the same shoes day in and day out and not allowing them to have some air worsens the situation. The synthetic-made shoes trap moisture which promotes odor-causing bacteria.
Effective Home Remedies for Shoe Odor
Some of the best natural solutions available to remove shoe odor are home remedies. Some of the remedies are:
- Baking Soda: This is a natural foot odor eliminator that absorbs moisture and neutralizes odor. Sprinkle it inside your shoes and leave it overnight for best results.
- Vinegar: Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar, then spray inside the shoes. Vinegar helps eliminate shoe odor by neutralizing bacteria.
- Essential Oils: Oils like tea tree or lavender can help fight bacteria while leaving a pleasant scent. Just add a few drops inside your shoes to freshen them up.
These remedies are not only effective but also straightforward to apply.
Commercial Products for Shoe Odor
When the above self-cures do not work to completely get rid of the odor, then commercial products can be summoned to the rescue. Some of the best strategies to clean stinky shoes include:
- Odor-Eliminating Sprays: Being one of the best ways to get rid of sneaker odor, these sprays kill bacteria and immediately neutralise the odor.
- Charcoal Inserts: Activated charcoal is an excellent natural odor eliminator for the feet. Place charcoal inserts in shoes to absorb moisture and unwanted smells.
Preventing Shoe Odor
Preventing shoe odor is much easier with a few simple practices:
- Rotate Your Shoes: Do not wear the same pair daily. Give them a chance to breathe.
- Wear Moisture-Wicking Socks: These socks help keep your feet dry, which prevents bacteria from building up.
- Let Your Shoes Breathe: Once you take off your shoes, hang them out to air in some well-aerated place.
Additional Tips for Shoe Odor Removal
Here are some more tips to further eliminate that unpleasant odor from your shoes:
- Freeze Your Shoes: Put them in a plastic bag and freeze overnight to kill off bacteria.
- Sunlight: Allow your shoes to stay under the sun to dry freely. This will reduce the smell.
- Dryer Sheets: Put a dryer sheet in your shoes. The sheet will absorb moisture and leave a fresh scent.
Getting rid of shoe odor is a real nuisance, but these home remedies and commercial products will keep your footwear fresh. Let’s not forget the fact that the only best way to clean smelly shoes is by actually doing away with the cause and through some preventive measures such as shoe rotation and the use of moisture-wicking socks. To naturally remove odor from shoes, home remedies like freezing or sunlight exposure can help eliminate bacteria.
At The Laundry Basket, we understand that it is tough to maintain clothes and shoes in their clean condition. Our expert shoe care services are for eliminating odor and restoring the shoe to its original freshness. We not only offer expert shoe cleaning services, so if you are searching for an ironing service a steam iron near me or clothes ironing service near me, we provide such services also.
See our website to find out how we can keep your shoes and other wardrobe essentials odor-free and clean!