How To Remove Smell From Shoe | 12 Ways That Actually Work

How to remove smell from shoe?

The smell that makes you embarrassed to remove your shoes in front of others? The bad smell coming from shoes can be overwhelming and make you wish to throw them away as soon as possible.

But Wait!

Today you’re going to learn EXACTLY how to remove smell from shoe.

In fact, All of these proven techniques are working GREAT.

Let’s do this!

And here are the tactics you’ll learn about in this post.

Low Stink

Use Cat Litter
Use Tea Bag
Use Wood Chips
Use Soap Bar

Medium Stink

Use Freezer
Use Lemon Peels
Use Rubbing Alcohol
Use Sunshine
Use Essential oils

High Stink

Use Washing Machine
Use Denture Sanitizer Tablets
Use Fabric Softener Sheets

Hit the play button to see how it’s done:

How To Remove Smell From Shoe: Low Stink

Table of Content

1 How To Remove Smell From Shoe: Low Stink

2 How to Remove Smell From Shoe – Medium Stink

2.1 Use Freezer

2.2 Use Lemon Peels

2.3 Use Rubbing Alcohol

2.4 Use Sunshine

2.5 Use Essential Oils

3 How to Remove Smell From Shoe – High Stink

3.1 Use Washing Machine

3.2 Use Denture Sanitizer Tablets

3.3 Use Fabric Softener Sheets

4 Golden TIP! Myth-Busting Fact.

Summertime is all fun and games until someone’s smelly shoes are stinking up the house! Such smell isn’t severe, but of course, you want to remove that also.

Here are some of the best and most effective methods for eliminating odors in shoes.

Use Cat Litter

You could buy any number of de-smelling solutions from your local big-box store, but Cat Litter works great, in case of low stink.

All you have to do is simply fill a loose-knit sock or some pantyhose with litter and tie it off. Work it into each shoe and allow it to sit for 24 hours.

BOOM! Your smelly worn-out sneaker turns into brand new ones. This may seem a little bit STRANGE but Yes it really works and it’s practical.

The litter will help dry up the stinky bacteria that causes the smell, and it’s likely a lot cheaper than powders and potions sold at big box stores (especially if you’ve already got it on hand).

Use Tea Bag

This one is too simple – All you need to do is grab a couple of tea bags and plop them into each shoe.

I started out by putting only two bags (Mint) into each shoe.

After letting my shoes sit for a day I boldly shoved my nose into the heal of my shoe and took a big whiff.

Not only was I spared an eye-watering inhalation of foot stench I got a nose full of what smelled like a waft of freshly brewed tea.

NOTE: This method in our list of “How to remove smell from shoe” works only on shoes with low stink.

Use Wood Chips

Here’s another hack You Must Try – Wood Chips! YES, it works (In low Stink).

You’ll need some cedar wood chips. You’ll also need some clean old socks or paper towels.

This cure is easy: Fill up a pair of old, but clean, socks with cedar wood chips. Place one of the socks in each shoe, and let them stand overnight. The wood chips will absorb the foot odor hiding in the shoes.

Use Soap Bar

Another way to remove smell from shoes is by placing a bar of soap inside the shoe.

Here you can either place a soap bar inside a shoe or do it As Directed in the video for better results.

The soap is porous, so it will absorb odors and leave behind a fresh, clean scent. This is a great method to try if you already have a couple of spare bars of soap in your cupboard or closet!

How to Remove Smell From Shoe – Medium Stink

Now, let’s move on to Medium Stink – here is some magical hack you can apply for those smells that just need a little bit more attention.

Use Freezer

I would not suggest you throw your dirty shoes into the freezer without any kind of barrier, though.

Put the shoes in a plastic zip-lock bag, and put the shoes in overnight to kill the smell. The freezer temperatures in the fridge kill the odor-causing bacteria, which will go a long way toward making your shoes smell fresher!

Use Lemon Peels

You’ll love how your sneaks smell so fresh from using something you were going to trash. Lemon Peels!

Not only lemon peels, but you can also use any type of citrus peels maybe orange, grapefruit, lemon, or lime peels.

Fresh citrus peel has a great smell because of its essential oils. Leave fresh citrus peel in your shoes overnight and remove them before using them. They should smell a lot better.

Use Rubbing Alcohol

If you have shoes that can’t wash and the odor is getting pretty bad, Alcohol will do all the job done for you.

All you have to do is – fill a container with a bit of Rubbing Alcohol, and sock it up with some cotton balls. Pack the shoe with these balls and cover as much area as you can.

As usual, let this sit overnight. It might smell like VODKA, but at least the odor is gone.

Use Sunshine

This hack is another free and easy alternative to get your shoes smelling fresh again.

Place your shoes out in the sun. Moisture is a big problem when it comes to stinky shoes. Leaving them in the sun can dry them out and will help to prevent the bacterial growth that causes odor.

Use Essential Oils

You might be thinking that – Is there no end to all the wonderful things essential oils can do? They can even help rid stinky shoe smells!

YES, that terrible shoe odor that happens can be treated naturally, and we’re going to tell you how.

All you need to do is place a couple of drops inside the shoe and allow it to completely dry before wearing. You’ll be AMAZED at how well it works and also how long it lasts!

Some specific oils that are good for removing odors are:

Bergamot
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lemongrass
Orange
Sage
Mandarin
Tangerine

How to Remove Smell From Shoe – High Stink

Extreme smells call for Extreme measures. Unlike the above-discussed hacks, Ways we are about to reveal are not that easy to apply.

But I’m 100% sure that at the end of each hack we will be with your fresh smelling shoes.

Let’s dive right in.

Use Washing Machine

Washing your shoes is one of the best ways to freshen them up.

But Wait!

Before popping them in the washer, check the care label to make sure they’re machine-washable.

Now here’s the EXACT process that I’ve followed

Place the shoes into a pillowcase (Tightly).
Put that bag in the washer with some towels for extra support.
Run the cycle on HOT and then do the same in the dryer.

When you’re done – you should have some Fresh smelling shoes.

Use Denture Sanitizer Tablets

It’s time to raid the medicine cabinet and get some DENTURE SANITIZER TABLETS.

Yes, denture cleaner can make a shoe smell brand-new and its very simple.

Fill a bucket up with hot water, 3 denture tablets, and your shoes, and your kicks should be fresh and germ-free in a couple of hours.

Use Fabric Softener Sheets

Deodorizing shoes call for the strong stuff. Tuck a new dryer fabric softener sheet into each sneaker and leave overnight and your shoes will be smelling fresh as springtime (well, at least better than before) by morning. Just remember to pull them out before wearing the sneaks.

It’s also a great idea to deodorize places where you store your shoes, such as your gym bag. Drop a dryer sheet into the bottom of a gym bag and leave it there until your nose lets you know it’s time to renew it.

Golden TIP! Myth-Busting Fact.

While flipping the pages to find perfect ways to get rid of stinking shoes, Baking Soda is the only hack that moved the needle of all the resources I was searching for.

A wise man once said, “The method that everyone says it does not make it true”. I amply understand this statement while testing Baking Soda on my stinking shoes.

The results shocked me – that abhorrent odor is still there BOLDLY.

I’d recommend NOT TO WASTE YOUR BAKING SODA in order to remove bad odor from your shoes.

Still can’t believe this – Hit The Play Button.