02 Jan Making a Homemade Shoe Freshener and Deodorizing the Shoe Rack

 Many people’s feet sweat when walking, exercising and running, and it causes the feet and shoes to smell bad. If you notice a terrible smell after taking off your shoes, don’t give up and look for ways to get rid of this annoying smell; Because this smell prevents you from being in the crowd and makes you embarrassed. Even after putting these smelly shoes in the shoe rack, this rotten smell will be transferred there. In this article, we will first tell you how to make a homemade and natural shoe freshener, and then we will provide methods to remove the smell of feet and shoe racks.

How to make a homemade shoe freshener

To prevent and eliminate the foul smell of feet and shoes, make your shoe freshener at home.

Necessary materials to make a shoe freshener

• Corn starch: half a cup
• Rose extract: 6 drops
• Baking soda: a quarter of a cup
• Baking powder: a quarter of a cup

Mix all the ingredients and pour a spoonful or less into the shoe. Then shake the shoe until the powder reaches all parts of it. To remove the foul smell of shoes, let this powder stay in the shoes overnight.

Home techniques to remove bad smell from shoes

Putting shoes under the sun

Find a sunny spot outside or place your shoes near a heater. Take out the shoelaces and soles to dry faster. Leave your shoes outside for 24 hours to ensure they are scorched. Dry the boots to prevent the growth of bacteria that causes a bad smell. You can also put a fan next to your shoes to help them dry quickly.

Baking soda as a shoe freshener.

If the smell of your shoes doesn’t go away on its own, use baking soda. Spray a thin layer inside your boots and let them sit outside for 24 hours. Before you reuse your shoes, throw out the baking soda. Mix 1-2 drops of vegetable oil with baking soda to eliminate the unpleasant smell.

Newspapers

Ball up some newspaper and place it inside the shoe overnight to absorb moisture and remove odours. If you don’t have newspapers, use paper towels. To increase the odour absorption, add a little vanilla to the newspaper before putting it in.

Salt as a shoe freshener

Sprinkle salt inside your shoes and let them sit for about 24 hours, then pour the salt out before wearing them. Salt helps absorb moisture and reduce odour naturally. This trick is good for sneakers but won’t work so well for leather or suede.

Disinfection with alcohol

A great way to clean shoes is to use alcohol and soak a cotton ball in alcohol. To kill odour-causing bacteria and disinfect shoes, wipe the inside of the shoe with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Alcohol has a strong odour, so do this in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.

Soaking the soles of shoes in water and vinegar

Mix water and white vinegar in equal proportions in a bucket and place the soles in it for at least 24 hours to soak. Wash the insoles with warm water and allow them to air dry before putting them back into shoes. Vinegar absorbs the smell, so it’s suitable for removing foul odours from shoes. However, there’s a chance that you will smell the vinegar after the soles have dried.

Washing soles of shoes

Remove the insoles from the sneakers, throw them in the washing machine, and then allow them to dry completely before putting them inside the shoes. Wash the insoles with warm water and soap if you don’t want to wash them in the machine. If the insoles still smell after washing, you can buy new insoles and replace them.

Medical insoles

Replace old and smelly insoles with new ones. Medical insoles are available in most pharmacies. Cedar wood insoles prevent fungus and bacteria from accumulating in shoes, and besides, they smell good.

Washing shoes

Check the label of the shoes to make sure they are machine washable. Please take out the laces and insoles, put the shoes in a bag to protect them, and let them air dry for about 24 hours. Most sneakers are suitable for putting in the washing machine, but you should avoid washing suede and leather shoes.

Removing any foul smell from the shoe rack

Does your shoe rack also have an unpleasant smell? Getting rid of the annoying smell of shoes has always been one of the problems; here, you can get rid of this smell quickly.

Removing the foul smell of shoe racks in wood and metal 

As you know, many people use shoe racks to keep their houses tidy and store their shoes. But ignoring some simple tips will cause a bad smell, which is very annoying. So, in this section, we will provide solutions to eliminate the foul odour of shoe racks.

Natural ways to remove the bad smell of shoes 

Using baking soda

Pour a tablespoon of baking soda into the shoe rack, especially on the bottom. In addition to absorbing moisture from the shoes, this work prevents the proliferation of bacteria that grow in hot and humid areas. The following day, wipe the baking soda off the shoe rack.

Using vinegar

In the rainy and snowy seasons, the shoe rack gives off a bad smell as well as the smell of dampness. To eliminate this terrible smell, mix some vinegar with water and spray it on different parts of the shoe rack.

Trying tea tree oil

Vegetable oils such as tea trees have antiseptic properties and eliminate the smell of bacteria. Put a few drops of tea tree oil in the shoe rack once a week and if possible, put it in the open air to eliminate its foul smell.

Getting help from flowers and plants 

Herbs like sage, lavender, and basil are great at eliminating odours. Place one of these plants in a shoe rack overnight. The following day, throw the plant away and let it air before putting the shoes back in the shoe rack. Do this every night until the smell is gone.

Using citrus peel

Citrus peels like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are excellent for absorbing odours like shoe racks because orange peels contain natural oils that prevent bacteria and mould from growing inside them.

Choosing a suitable shoe

You may have already bought a shoe rack, but if you want a new one, first get a model that allows air to circulate well. Like a floor shoe rack with natural wood, the model you choose can protect shoes from dust and ultraviolet light.

Don’t store worn shoes.

After wearing a pair of shoes, it takes approximately 24 hours for the moisture left from the feet to dry and the bacteria to decrease. Therefore, going your boots in the open air before putting them in the shoe rack is more likely that they won’t dry completely and can cause more bacteria and stench.

Using an air freshener

No matter how careful you are, there’s a chance that your shoe rack will smell. One way to combat this problem is to put commercially available air fresheners inside the shoe rack.

Putting a black tea bag on a shoe rack

Black tea contains tannins that are effective in killing bacteria that are found inside shoe racks or shoes. Put the tea bag in boiling water for a few minutes, then let it cool. Afterwards, put the tea bag in a shoe rack or shoe for an hour or more to absorb the bad smell.

Sorting the shoes 

If you are one of those people who put your shoes in the shoe rack as soon as you come from outside, I must say that it could be the reason for the foul smell of the shoebox; because the shoes are put inside the shoe rack together with the dirt and pollution that it brings from outside. 

Using coffee or perfume

To deodorise the shoe rack and remove the bad smell, pour some coffee into a plastic container with several holes in the lid. Then place it in the corner of the shoe rack for a few days to remove the odours and absorb the unpleasant smell. In addition, you can put a perfume bottle on the shoe rack.

Using a shoe spray

The shoe rack may smell due to the presence of different shoes and their constant use. To remove the bad smell, use a shoe sprayer every once in a while to remove the odour entirely and temporarily.

Sorting shoes by season 

If you separate your shoes according to the season and store the shoes you don’t need elsewhere; you can keep the shoe rack organised. However, always clean the shoes thoroughly before storing them. Otherwise, dirt, odour and soot will increase.

To wrap up

Foot odour isn’t pleasant for anyone. There are various reasons for this problem. Therefore, the foot odour issue should be solved first by removing the smell of your shoes.  If you don’t have the opportunity or patience to wash your clothes, you can count on the specialised NeatEx team. With the most advanced tools and the latest knowledge, we will deliver your clothes of the best quality as soon as possible. Don’t damage your valuable clothes with improper washing. NeatEx washes your clothes best and ensures you have clean and tidy clothes.