Have you ever walked into a room and scrunched your nose because your senses have picked up a weird smell? Browse around and you might just notice a pair of shoes or an entire shoe rack within the corner, which might be exuding that weird, musty smell. People are afflicted by smelly feet, which consequently leads to odour in their shoes, but worry not because today we will introduce you to some super-simple yet very effective home remedies for stinky shoes, so you don't have to deal with shoe odour or worry about embarrassing yourself ever again.
If you are wondering why you develop stinky feet, and consequently stinky shoes, especially when you wear covered shoes, then there are some common causes for it:
- Sweat. If you are prone to excessive sweating, then it is likely that your feet sweat also, causing bacterial growth and build-up of moisture. This leads to a putrid smell coming out of your shoes once you wear them for a long time.
- Bacterial infection. Since the toes are constantly clumped together, a bacterial culture might develop together, leading to an infection or some sort of problem, because of which the feet might exude odour, which in turn gets transferred to your shoes.
- Hormonal imbalance. An imbalance within the level of hormones can be one of the reason why your foot is stinking. You have produced more hormones or less hormones, which causes other problems like infection and sweating and imbalance in the pH level of your body, which can lead to stinky shoes.
- Other diseases. Other infections and diseases in your body can lead to the poor health of your feet, causing your shoes to stink when you wear them for a long time. Examples of these diseases include thyroid, high blood pressure and Athlete's foot.
If you are looking for ways to get rid of the smell from your shoes, then look no further because we've rounded up some of the easiest and many effective home remedies for stinky shoes.
1. Essential oils
One of the best ways to get rid of the odour being released from your shoes is by using essential oils. Essential oils are perfect for the task, not only because they have concentrated essences which have a great smell, but they also have anti-bacterial properties which can kill the stink-causing bacteria and render your shoes fresh and healthy for your feet.
How to use:
You can use a couple of drops of any essential oil including lavender, eucalyptus or tea tree oil and combine it with your shoes before you put them on. You can also leave the oils inside your shoes overnight so that they evaporate when it is morning and leave a fresh fragrance in their place.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda has amazing deodorant properties which will help absorb the stink from shoes if you are experiencing stinky shoes every single day. It soaks up the smell and leaves your shoes feeling and smelling fresh and dry without any moisture build-up. It also kills bacteria effectively.
How to use:
Sprinkle enough baking soda inside your shoes to cover the soles. Leave it covered it baking soda overnight and dust it out each morning before your wear them.
3. Black tea
If you are looking for more permanent ways to get eliminate the smell that comes out of your shoes after you wear them, use black tea for the purpose. Black tea bags contain tannins which not just absorb the excess sweat, but also kill any bacteria for a long-term period.
How to use:
The best way to use black tea for the stinky shoes is by soaking them in tepid to warm water and then applying the soaked tea bags for your shoes. Leave them there overnight and watch the smell disappear each morning. You can also wash your feet with black tea to prevent your shoes from stinking.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar is really a highly acidic substance which could cure your stinky foot and stinky shoes condition in no time. You can either wash your feet with vinegar before wearing your shoes, or wash your shoes with vinegar to avoid your shoes from exuding unpleasant odours. Vinegar cures your problem of excessive sweating if that is what is causing your shoes to stink.
How to use:
Wash your feet with clear vinegar before you decide to wear your shoes and ensure you dry your feet thoroughly. Also, you are able to wash your shoes with vinegar and sundry them to ensure that all possible forms of bacteria that may reside in them are effectively killed.
5. Ground coffee
Ground coffee is an efficient deodorant for shoes once they emanate odour. The strong smell of coffee removes the smell, and also the compounds that are naturally contained in coffee helps remove all infection and bacteria.
How to make use of:
Simply sprinkle your shoes with ground coffee and leave overnight. Dust it out each morning and wear your shoes all night without developing odour. Do that once a week for fresh shoes every single day.
6. Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is also one of the most commonly used remedies for stinky shoes. It is an excellent natural disinfectant which removes the bacteria and kills them permanently and the strong nature of alcohol removes any trace of stench which might be a cause of nuisance for you.
How to make use of:
Dip a ball of cotton in alcohol and water and swipe the inside of your shoes thoroughly with it. You can also soak your shoes in alcohol and ensure they dry in a place that has enough sunlight and air.
7. Baby powder
Baby powder has amazing disinfectant properties, and comes with mild perfume as well, to ensure that nothing in the substance causes the bacteria inside your shoes to thrive. In fact, it soaks up the smell, and makes your feet feel fresh and sweat less, which makes it an excellent long-term solution for stinky shoes.
How to use:
Simply sprinkle your shoes with baby powder during the night and leave it in for the night time. Dust it out in the morning and be assured, you won't have to worry about stinky shoes again.
8. Newspapers
Using newspapers to get rid of the stink in your shoes is really considered a genius hack, which most people use when they want a hassle-free and fast solution for the odour in their shoes. If sweat or any other mild causes have resulted in smelly shoes, newspapers might help soak up the smell effectively.
How to make use of:
Simply stuff your shoes with newspapers overnight and take away them in the morning. They soak up the smell and the moisture allowing you to have fresh, normal smelling shoes each morning.
9. Citrus fruits
A great way to get rid of smelly shoes is to apply citrus fruits, whose natural properties destroys bacteria due to its acidity and the natural smell of these citrus fruits makes your shoes smell great without having to add perfume or deodorant.
How to use:
Simply add a slice of any lemon or lime of your choice inside your shoe and let it sit all night. This will give it enough time to soak up the smell. Pat-dry your shoe, or dry them in the sun before you wear them.
10. Cloves
Cloves have a string, natural odour and amazing anti-bacterial properties which are ideal for stinky shoes. They kill the bacteria and prevent further growth, even if you sweat in your shoes. The fresh smell of shoes also removes the stink out of your shoes on a long-term basis.
How to use:
You can add crushed cloves to your shoes and then leave them overnight. However, a much better way to utilize cloves includes adding a couple of drops of clove oil for your shoes before you wear them, so that it is infused with the fabric inside your shoes, and you don't have to worry about smelly shoes for the entire day.
11. Rosemary
Rosemary is an efficient herbal remedy for stinky shoes. It's anti-bacterial and astringent properties, which removes bacteria effectively, and also the natural fragrance of rosemary is a great replacement for the stinky odour which comes out of your shoes.
How to use:
You may either soak your feet in water that has been infused with dried and crushed rosemary, which means that your feet don't smell in the first place. You can also add a sprig of fresh rosemary in each shoe and leave it overnight in order that it can work its magic.
Even even though there are a number of hacks and DIY projects to help you get rid of the odour emanating from your shoes, these are the simplest and most hassle-free home remedies for stinky shoes that will help you go about your day without having to give special attention to your feet and your shoes.
