How to get rid of unpleasant shoe odor: recipes and best remedies

How to get rid of unpleasant odor in shoes

You can eliminate the unpleasant odor emanating from shoes using improvised means that can easily be found in a home medicine cabinet, cosmetic bag, or in the kitchen among products.

Vodka or ammonia

To get rid of an unpleasant odor in shoes, you need to pour vodka or rubbing alcohol into an aerosol can. Spray the inside of the shoes with the liquid and leave to dry in the fresh air. Instead of vodka, ammonia is also used, diluted with water in a ratio of 2/3.

Green tea and coffee

Green tea or ground coffee are effective in combating odor. You need to pour one of these substances under the insole. You can also put a tea bag there. A few drops of essential oil help remove the smell.

Hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate

Cheap pharmaceutical products are also effective helpers when you need to eliminate an unpleasant odor. 5-6 crystals of potassium permanganate are diluted in a liter of water. Moisten a cloth or sponge in this solution and wipe the inside surface of the shoe, after which the shoes are dried.

Potassium permanganate, even a weak solution, stains fabrics, so it is not recommended to treat light-colored insoles with it.

Hydrogen peroxide not only eliminates all odors, but also disinfects shoes. You need to pour some peroxide into your shoes. After foam forms, wait about 15 minutes. After this, wipe and dry the shoes. But, unlike potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide discolors, so you need to be careful when using this product!

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Activated carbon

Crushed tablets should be poured into thin fabric bags. You can sew them yourself from gauze and chintz. Place the filled bags under the shoe insoles. When using this method, it is important to keep your feet dry, as the tablets will leave dark marks when wet.

Vinegar

After moistening a cloth or cotton swab with vinegar, thoroughly wipe the inside of the shoes. Another option is to put a cloth soaked in vinegar in your shoes and leave it overnight.

Cold

Treating your shoes with cold, or rather frost, will quickly get rid of the problem of unpleasant odor. Wrapped in old newspaper, the shoes are placed in the freezer for several hours. If it’s winter outside, you can put your boots outside the threshold or on the balcony.

Patent leather shoes must not be exposed to frost!

Salt

Regular table salt, which is always on hand, will not only remove the unpleasant odor from shoes, but will also dry them well. In the evening, pour an even layer of salt into your shoes and leave overnight. In the morning, pour out the salt, clean the shoes well with a brush and cloth.

Soda

In the same way as with salt, you can use baking soda. But soda has a significant drawback: it leaves behind white stains. Therefore, after using it, shoes should be wiped with vodka or ammonia.

Formidron

A cheap pharmaceutical product that many people have no idea about. This drug eliminates the smell of sweat and other unpleasant odors. You need to soak a cotton swab in formidron, place it in your shoes, and put your shoes in a plastic bag. It can be opened in two days.

Formidron is a toxic substance, so when working with it you need to use rubber gloves and a medical mask. In addition, with frequent use, the product promotes the formation of cancer cells.

Alcohol

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To treat the inside of the shoe, vodka or alcohol diluted with water can be used. The method of applying the selected drug depends on the shoe model. If possible, wipe the inner surface of the pair with a sponge soaked in vodka. When this is difficult to do, it is better to pour the alcohol-containing liquid into a spray bottle. After the inside of the pair has been processed, it must be given time to simply stand for 3-4 hours. Areas treated with vodka are wiped with paper towels, after which the shoes are left to dry completely.

Specialized means

For a person who has a constant problem of unpleasant odor from shoes, it is better to purchase a specialized product in the form of deodorant, cream or tablets with the aroma of mint or citrus. These funds:

• Prevents the appearance of bacteria – sources of odor;
• Neutralizes unpleasant odors;
• Absorbs dirt;
• Have an antifungal effect;
• They work for a long time.

Popular manufacturers of specialized products that eliminate and prevent unpleasant odors in shoes:

• "Salton"
• "Saphir";
• “Comfort-maximum”;
• "Salamander";
• "Hlavin";
• "Sholl."

GalenoPharm Sachet

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The product can be used not only to treat the inside of boots, but also to care for sweaty feet. The drug allows you to cope with the unpleasant odor of closed shoes very effectively. The main component is talc. Release form: sachet. Application: pour one sachet into each shoe; stand for 5 hours. With regular use for 5 days in a row, the effect will last up to six months. The average price for a package with 10 sachets is 135 rubles.

Disinfector devices

In addition to home and specialized remedies, electrical devices that operate on the basis of ultraviolet radiation can solve the problem of unpleasant shoe odor. Ultraviolet light destroys bacteria that contribute to the formation of unpleasant odors and fungi. The device works as follows:

• The device is placed in shoes;
• Connects to the electrical network;
• You can use your shoes after 10 hours, in some cases after 15 minutes.

Some disinfection devices also have a shoe drying function. Popular models of devices are “Timson” and “Xenelight”.

Application of the freezing method

To prevent a specific smell from following you everywhere after purchasing shoes, you should try to leave them on a cold balcony until the morning to ventilate them in the open air. The boots must be unfastened and turned slightly inside out. This method is recommended to be used during the cold season.

If it is summer, you should try to remove the unpleasant odor by freezing it - put the new item wrapped in strong cellophane in the freezer of the refrigerator for a day. Some types of shoes cannot be frozen, especially patent leather models. This method can deform the last and shape of expensive shoes.

What to do to prevent shoes from stinking

In some cases, the cause of unpleasant shoe odor is external factors - exposure to other substances that have a characteristic odor.

Mold and dampness

If you leave your shoes unused for a long time and store them in damp conditions, they will most likely become moldy and smell damp. Already known means can help with this:

• Vodka, alcohol;
• Soda, salt;
• Green tea, coffee;
• Ventilation, freezing;
• Potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide;
• Vinegar, essential oil;
• Specialized sprays.

Animal urine

Pets, cats and dogs, often take out their dissatisfaction by using their owner's shoes instead of a toilet. After this, a pungent, difficult-to-remove odor remains. You can get rid of it using the following means:

• Lemon juice – the problem area is thoroughly wiped with a cloth soaked in the product.
• Iodine - add 10 drops of the product to a liter of water, and treat shoes with this solution.
• Glycerin is used to lubricate urine stains.
• Special products sold in pet stores.

Rubber

Low-quality shoes often emit a rubber smell. This indicates counterfeiting of the raw materials from which the shoes are made. You can get rid of the characteristic odor by using the following products:

• A decoction of mint or lemon balm. A small amount of herb needs to be steamed in boiling water. Leave the shoes in the broth for a couple of hours, wash them thoroughly and dry them.
• Soap solution. Dilute soap, laundry detergent or fabric softener in water. If the shoes are fabric, then they can be washed; if not, wash them with a solution using a brush.
• Changing insoles. Sometimes they are the source of the smell.

New skin

Newly purchased shoes smell unbearably of leather. The following substances will help destroy this smell:

• Coffee beans. You need to put them in your shoes and leave them closed in a bag for a day.
• Perfume or cologne. You need to spray your shoes with perfume inside and out.
• Citrus zest. The peels of oranges or tangerines are placed inside the shoes.

Sweat

An unpleasant odor of this nature is associated with sweating feet. Of course, you can get rid of the unpleasant smell, but after a while it will appear again. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the original source of the problem. You can get rid of the sweaty smell from your shoes using the following products:

• Warm soapy water. Powder or soap is diluted in water, and shoes are washed or washed with the solution.
• Salt, soda, talc, starch, flour. These bulk substances are placed in shoes and left overnight. In the morning, shoes are cleaned and vacuumed.
• Needles. Pour the pharmacy mixture into shoes and leave overnight. Clean your shoes in the morning. You can use dry mint, lemon balm or thyme.
• Scented insoles with antibacterial effect. They are sold in shoe departments and can solve the problem.

The following actions can prevent the appearance of sweat odor:

• Wear socks or tights made from natural fabrics;
• Buy quality shoes;
• Don't wear the same shoes all day;
• Maintain foot and shoe hygiene.

Naphthalene

Most often, the smell of this product remains after using it in the fight against insects. The specific smell is very pungent and persistent, but it can be removed with home remedies:

• Dry mustard. Sprinkle mustard powder on a newspaper and place foul-smelling shoes nearby. After a few days, the mustard will absorb all the unpleasant odors. You can also pour dry mustard into thin gauze bags and place them in a shoe cabinet. All unpleasant odors will disappear.
• Dry cloves. Clove seeds, crushed into powder, should be placed in a clay container, such as a cooking pot. Place the container on the shelf next to the shoes. Cloves absorb the smell of mothballs.
• Soda solution. Add a spoonful of baking soda to a liter of warm water. This solution thoroughly wipes the shoes from all sides. But it’s worth remembering about the stains left behind by soda. After treatment with it, the shoes are wiped with vinegar or alcohol.

Glue

New shoes usually smell like glue. This indicates a low-quality product and poor processing of the shoes, but since they have already been purchased, it means that the smell needs to be eliminated. In addition to all of the above, the following will effectively help:

• Fatty substances: shoe polish, mink fat, essential and vegetable oils. The shoes are lubricated with them generously and left overnight.
• Sawdust for animal litter. They are poured into shoes in the evening and removed in the morning using a vacuum cleaner.
• Newspaper. Once crumpled, it is placed inside the shoe overnight. Paper absorbs all unpleasant odors, including glue.

SmellOff

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SmellOff TM odor eliminator can be used to treat sports equipment, shoes and other surfaces with the odor of sweat. The drug has a neutral composition and does not pose a health hazard. When used correctly, odors are completely neutralized. Application: Clean shoes from dirt. If the insoles are removed, they must be washed separately. Using a spray bottle, apply the product to the inside of the shoes. Leave to stand in a dry place for up to 24 hours. Price – about 670 rubles per 0.5 liter.

Preventing unpleasant shoe odor

It is much easier to deal with the original source of the problem. Often a person is to blame for the fact that his shoes stink. Therefore, it is necessary to take preventive measures that will help in the future to avoid foreign odors in shoes, and you will not have to deal with them. These are very simple steps:

• You can't walk in the same shoes all day. An unpleasant odor appears within three to four hours after wearing. Therefore, always have an extra pair of light, well-breathable shoes at work.
• Daily shoe care will also prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors. Cleaning from dirt, wiping with a damp cloth - these actions will not allow bacteria to develop in shoes.
• Shoes need to be dried daily, every time after going outside, even if the shoes do not seem wet to you. An excellent drying method is to pack newspaper into your shoes. Under no circumstances should you dry shoes on radiators, fireplaces, or stoves - this will shorten their service life.
• No need to skimp on shoes. Often unpleasant odors are associated with low-quality materials from which shoes are made. By the way, few people know, but if new shoes stink and the smell cannot be eliminated, you can take them back to where they were purchased. By law, the seller must return the money. Shoes, of course, must have their original presentable appearance. Therefore, do not rush to go outside in it until you are sure that the smell has been eliminated.
• Maintain good foot hygiene, especially if they are prone to sweating. Special creams and ointments, baths, and high-quality underwear will help in the fight against foot sweat.

Unpleasant odors from shoes are a problem that prevents a person from feeling confident and comfortable. Therefore, we need to look for a solution, and there are many ways and means for this. It doesn’t matter what the remedy is, homemade or specialized, the main thing is that it is effective!

Using soda

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Treating with soda is a good option for those shoes whose insides cannot be wet. This method can be used, for example, to care for winter boots. Application: pour a tablespoon of soda into each shoe; the powder needs to be well distributed over the insole - do this conveniently with shaking movements; put the pair in a plastic bag; leave for 5 hours; shake out the soda. Instead of soda, you can use kitchen salt in the same way.

General preventive measures

1. Train yourself to regularly air out your shoes, especially sports shoes. To avoid an unpleasant odor, do not rush to hide it in boxes and plastic bags.
2. Choose insoles made from natural materials. Try to get rid of them immediately if you feel a specific “spirit”.
3. Dry wet shoes. Buy a special electric dryer, and if this is not possible, old newspapers will help you get rid of moisture. Push them inside the product and change them every hour. For winter boots, for example, it takes at least a day for them to dry and be sufficiently ventilated.
4. Keep your feet clean, change your socks every day.
5. Wear a spare pair at work.
6. Don't buy tight shoes.
7. Try to give preference to products made from natural materials: they won’t make your feet sweat or sweat.

In a word, do everything possible so that the smell of sweat does not have time to eat into the material.

What to do if your favorite pair of shoes smells musty

If shoes have been stored in a damp place for a long time, they will definitely have a musty smell. How to get rid of this?

• Wash the pair thoroughly in warm soapy water. Wipe the inside with chlorine solution to disinfect.
• The next step is to mix ammonia and vodka, wipe the product inside and out with this mixture so that there is no mold left anywhere. Leave to dry for a couple of days. If you don’t have vodka and ammonia, dissolve vinegar essence and clean with it. Don't wear untreated shoes because mold can damage your feet.

Apply these simple tips and your life will be filled with completely different aromas!

Material updated 07/28/2017

How to remove the “aroma” of naphthalene

The most effective remedy for mothball odor is to take your shoes out into the open air with good ventilation and direct sunlight. At the same time as ventilation, you can place any adsorbent inside:

• Activated carbon;
• soda;
• cat litter, etc.

To remove the smell of mothballs, any adsorbent will be useful: soda, silica gel or even cat litter