No one likes having smelly shoes, but it happens to us all. Shoes go through a lot: they get worn all over the place, trodden in whenever you go, so it’s no wonder that sometimes they don’t smell so sweet. Luckily, however, there are some quick and easy ways to sort out this problem. So if you’re wondering how to stop shoes from smelling or want to know why people put tea bags in shoes, here are our top odour-erasing hacks for shoes.
1. Tea bags in shoes
Ever heard of using a tea bag for shoe smell? Despite sounding like nonsense there’s actually some good evidence for the smelly shoes tea bags trick. Tea bags are highly absorbent so when left in shoes they attract the moisture out of the fabric or leather. This hack works because it’s the moisture that attracts bacteria, which is what causes the smell. Grab a PG Tips and leave it in your shoe for 24 hours.
2. Home-made shoe deodorant
No teabag? No problem. If you want to know how to get rid of smelly shoes there are a few other things to try. One easy trick is to make your own natural deodoriser. Tea tree oil is a great option for this. Many people believe it makes a good natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, making it a great all-round solution for how to stop shoes from smelling. To use it in your shoes, put a few drops on a cotton wool ball and leave it in the shoes for a few hours. Nasty smells will disappear, leaving a faint tea tree scent.
3. Baking soda in shoes
There’s another good way of getting rid of shoe odour using something you’ve probably already got in your kitchen: baking soda. There’s truth to the smelly shoes baking soda rumour – this wonder stuff can help eradicate nasty smells. Simply place the baking soda in a coffee filter and tie up with a rubber band to create a little sachet. Leave it in your shoes overnight and it’ll zap out the smell. If you want to replace the smell with something fragrant, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the mix.
So, there’s how to get rid of shoe smells with three remedies you’ll find around your home. If nothing else works, some shoes can be put into the washing machine with a bit of laundry detergent – just be sure to look at your shoes’ cleaning instructions first. But never fear: whatever the smell, there’s always a way to get rid of it!
We all have that pair of white trainers that we try so hard to keep white and then step outside and are confronted with a large muddy puddle. Using products like Cif Cream are perfect for cleaning white trainers and ensure stains are removed.
Key steps:
- 1
Choose one of our methods to absorb moisture, whether that’s a tea bag or a baking soda sachet
- 2
Leave one in each shoe for 24 hours
- 3
If the smell remains, try adding in a drop of essential oil
