Foot odour is a massive issue, with especially stinky shoes affecting about 16% of adults aged 21 and older, which equates to nearly 900 million people. As physical health has become more important, more and more people than ever before are being impacted by smelly shoes due to sweating heavily in their work outs, runs, and group classes. And don’t get us started on how sweaty and smelly teenagers can be. Whether it’s your favourite sneakers or everyday work shoes, the unpleasant smell can make you self-conscious and reluctant to wear them. Trust us, we have felt your pain. Fortunately, there are some effective natural solutions to eliminate shoe odour and keep your footwear smelling fresh, all without using harsh chemicals.
What Causes Shoe Odour?
Shoe odour is caused from a combination of sweat, bacteria, and poor ventilation. Your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of your body, making them particularly prone to sweating. When wearing shoes, this sweat has nowhere to go and it is trapped in your shoes with the bacteria that it drags off your skin. While sweat itself is odourless, it creates an ideal moist environment for these bacteria to thrive, and can even cultivate fungal growths which can lead to medical conditions like athlete’s foot. When bacteria feeds on the sweat and dead skin cells in your shoes, they release unpleasant-smelling byproducts such as methanethiol, isovaleric acid, and propanoic acid. These compounds are responsible for your smelly shoes.
Certain factors can make shoe odour much worse, such as wearing shoes made of non-breathable materials, which trap moisture and prevent proper ventilation. Synthetic materials like rubber and plastic are particularly bad for this. Additionally, medical conditions like hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) can contribute to more severe cases of foot and shoe odour. Understanding the root causes of shoe odour is the first step in effectively addressing it.
Should I Wash My Shoes To Remove Shoe Odour?
Washing your shoes is a quick way to temporarily remove odour, but it’s not the best or most practical solution, and it can be especially bad for certain types of shoes. While machine washing can remove bacteria and freshen up your footwear, it can also damage the material, cause shrinkage, and strip away adhesives holding the shoe together. Additionally, not all shoes are machine washable, particularly those made from leather, suede, or delicate fabrics.
For washable shoes, if you really want to risk your shoes' longevity and have them soaking wet for a day, it’s essential to follow specific care instructions. Use a gentle cycle, cold water, and a mild detergent. Avoid using bleach, as it can discolour the shoes and degrade the fabric. After washing, air-dry your shoes thoroughly before wearing them again. Placing them in direct sunlight can speed up the drying process and help eliminate any residual odour. Unfortunately, it is not guaranteed that washing machines will remove all bacteria, fungi, or mould from shoes after one cycle.
We recommend treating washable shoes just like shoes that aren’t suitable for washing so that you get the most from your shoes and money. Other methods such as natural deodorisers and home remedies are more appropriate to get the most out of your shoes.
Homemade Methods To Get Rid Of Smelly Shoes
If you're looking for a cost-effective way to combat shoe odour, homemade remedies can work, but you will have to invest time and effort every time you wish to have your shoes smelling fresh again. Here are some tried-and-true methods using common household items:
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is a natural deodoriser that absorbs moisture and neutralises odours. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside your shoes and leave it overnight. In the morning, shake out the excess baking soda before wearing your shoes. This may leave your shoes with baking soda stuck in between the fabric but is fairly cheap.
- Vinegar Spray: Vinegar has natural antibacterial properties that can help neutralise odours. Mix 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle and spray the inside of your shoes 2-3 times. Allow them to air dry completely before wearing them again. The vinegar smell may last for a few days depending on the ventilation of your shoes.
- Soap Bars: Place a bar of soap inside each shoe and leave it overnight. Some types of soap will absorb odours and leave a fresh scent behind. This method works best with dry, solid bars of soap.
- Sunlight Exposure: Sunlight is a natural disinfectant and can help kill bacteria that cause odours. After wearing your shoes, place them in direct sunlight for a few hours to dry out any moisture and eliminate bacteria. You may have to position them in a way that the shoe is almost turned inside out for this to have a great impact.
- Essential Oils: Essential oils like lemon, eucalyptus, sandalwood, and lilac have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Add a few drops to a cotton ball and place it inside your shoes, or mix essential oils with moisture absorbers for an extra odour-fighting boost.
How To Remove Shoe Odour At The Source
Addressing the root cause of shoe odour is crucial for long-term freshness. Here’s how you can target the source of the smell effectively:
Absorb Moisture In Shoes
Moisture is the breeding ground for bacteria, making it essential to keep your shoes dry. Besides using baking soda, you can also use other moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packets or newspaper. Silica gel packets, often found in packaging, are strong chemicals that can be placed inside shoes to absorb moisture. Similarly, crumpling up newspaper and stuffing it inside your shoes may help draw out moisture overnight. Alcohol-based sprays or wipes can also be effective in drying out shoes quickly, killing bacteria in the process.
In addition to baking soda and silica gel, bamboo charcoal and montmorillonite clay are exceptional natural alternatives for moisture absorption in shoes. Bamboo charcoal, made from sustainably harvested bamboo, is highly porous, allowing it to absorb excess moisture effectively while also neutralising odours. It’s an eco-friendly option that works continuously without needing frequent replacement. Once the bamboo charcoal seems to stop working, all you have to do is place it outside so that the moisture evaporates from it and it will work good as new. Similarly, montmorillonite clay, a naturally occurring mineral, is celebrated for its superior moisture-absorbing properties. It not only keeps shoes dry but also helps to prevent bacterial growth, making it a perfect natural solution for maintaining fresh footwear.
Remove Bacteria From Your Shoes
Since bacteria are the primary cause of shoe odour, eliminating them is key. Antibacterial sprays, such as those containing isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, can be effective. However, they are made with strong chemicals that may cause irritation and break down shoe fabrics earlier than wanted. If you wish to use them, apply the spray inside your shoes and let them air dry. For a more thorough approach, consider using a UV shoe steriliser, which uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and fungi in a matter of seconds. While these devices are much more expensive, they offer a highly effective, chemical-free solution.
A more hands free approach to removing bacteria is once again, bamboo charcoal. Bamboo charcoal is not only a moisture absorber but also an excellent natural antibacterial agent due to its unique adsorption properties. Unlike typical deodorisers that mask smells, bamboo charcoal’s porous structure allows it to trap and eliminate bacteria, thus tackling the root cause of odour. By absorbing both moisture and bacteria, bamboo charcoal offers a dual-action solution for keeping shoes fresh and hygienic. This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a natural, chemical-free method to maintain shoe cleanliness and combat odour effectively.
Essential Oils Neutralise Odours
Essential oils do more than just mask unpleasant odours; many have antimicrobial properties that help combat the bacteria causing the smell. Sandalwood oil, for instance, is well-known for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Similarly, lemon oil offers a refreshing scent while also helping to eliminate bacteria and neutralise odours in the air. To use, add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to a cotton ball or directly into your shoes, allowing it to air out overnight. These oils can also be combined with bamboo charcoal to provide an enhanced odour eliminator that freshly scents your shoes.
What Is The Best Shoe Deodoriser?
When it comes to selecting a shoe deodoriser, not all products are created equal. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Most Shoe Deodorisers Suck
Many over-the-counter shoe deodorisers simply mask the odour with a strong fragrance rather than addressing the underlying cause—bacteria. These products might provide a temporary fix, but they don’t eliminate the bacteria that cause the smell. In some cases, they can even exacerbate the problem by introducing moisture or creating a film inside the shoe that traps bacteria.
Additionally, many commercial deodorisers contain harsh chemicals that can be irritating to sensitive skin or damaging to certain shoe materials. Instead of solving the problem, these products can lead to further issues like skin rashes or deterioration of your favourite shoes. It makes sense that shoe companies try to sell these fixes, as if you use them they make more money when you buy them as well as when they break down your shoes prematurely and you are forced to buy new shoes more often. It’s a nasty cycle.
The Best Shoe Deodoriser To Instantly Make Shoes Smell Fresh
The most effective shoe deodoriser is one that combines different ingredients that all work together to absorb moisture, neutralise odour, and fight bacteria. We developed Aroma Armour Charcoal Purifiers to do just that. They are made of:
- Bamboo Charcoal for powerful moisture absorption and strong adsorption of odour, bacteria, and other pollutants causing the bad smell in your shoes;
- Montmorillonite to enhance the moisture absorption capabilities of the bamboo charcoal, ensuring moisture is pulled deep into the Purifier and all of the contents are used to their fullest potential; and,
- Essential Oils to help with fast acting odour neutralisation and to leave your shoes smelling fresher than when you bought them, without that harsh chemical smell.
There are four unique scents to choose from, all of which offer strong protection against bad odours and a lovely aromatic scent that isn’t overpowering. We developed them after suffering from bad smells ourselves and none of the options available on the market actually worked - which really annoyed us. So we made one that works and are so confident that we made something that works that you can try it risk free with our 30 day money back guarantee.
3 Tips To Prevent Smelly Shoes And Feet
Now that we have given you the tools to cure the problem, let’s help you prevent it in the future. By following these tips, you can reduce the chances of your shoes developing an unpleasant odour in the first place:
Wear Socks
Going sockless is a surefire way to create a stinky situation. Socks act as a barrier, absorbing sweat and reducing direct contact between your feet and your shoes. Choose special moisture-wicking socks made from materials like cotton or wool, which help keep your feet dry and minimise the risk of bacteria growth. If you don’t already, you should change your socks daily and after intense activities like running or working out. This will help prevent the smell from growing out of control during the day.
Practice Good Foot Hygiene
Maintaining good foot hygiene is crucial for keeping odours at bay. Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water daily, paying special attention to the areas between your toes. After washing, ensure your feet are completely dry before putting on socks or shoes. Moisture left on your feet can quickly lead to bacterial growth and odour.
Additionally, consider using a foot powder or antiperspirant to keep your feet dry and reduce sweating throughout the day. Letting your feet breathe by going barefoot when appropriate can also help reduce moisture and odour.
Try Moisture Absorbing Insoles
If your feet are particularly stinky and it is causing your shoes to smell foul, it might be worth investing in some quality moisture absorbing insoles. These will work while you are wearing the shoes to absorb any sweat that you produce, restricting the moisture from bacteria and helping to limit the growth of bad smells. We would only recommend these if you suffer from extremely stinky and sweaty feet, as they can be quite expensive and require frequent replacement.
Conclusion
We all face our shoes smelling bad from time to time. Maybe you don’t think your shoes smell but trust us, you get used to your own smell pretty quickly and other people definitely can smell your shoes. Especially when you take your shoes off entering their house. As we found out, the bad smells are caused by an accumulation of sweat and bacteria that combine to produce foul odours in your shoes due to poor ventilation. In order to avoid smelly shoes you must absorb moisture, neutralise odour, and remove bacteria in a way that doesn’t damage your shoes and actually works. Many products on the market fail to attack all sources of the problem, use harsh chemicals, or damage your shoes so you must be careful. Aroma Armour Charcoal Purifiers are a natural solution that effectively deals with the strongest of smells at the root cause of the problem and leaves your shoes smelling fresh. Making sure your favourite shoes last longer and that the next time you slip them on, you can do so with confidence, knowing they’re as fresh as they are comfortable.