
How to Deodorize Your Shoes & How to Eliminate Odour from Shoes
Shoes are one of the attractive factors that enhance the appearance by matching the colour of outfits. However, shoes are also vulnerable to dust, odours, and could sustain damage. Most people clean their shoes at home using proper techniques, while others struggle to do so. So, for a solution, you can look for an expert cleaner like Love2Laundry on how to deodorize your shoes.
We provide top-quality laundry, dry cleaning, and shoe maintenance to keep them spotless. Our cleaning techniques and materials remove smell from shoes and brighten the colour.
So, here is our guide on how to get rid of shoe odour. Check this out and get a suitable result.

How to Get Rid of Shoe Odour?
Odours staying in shoes not only spread a foul smell but also start damaging the texture. It then slowly starts to affect the durability of shoes and could even shorten their lifespan. So, for eliminating odour from shoes, you should opt for natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar.
That’s because vinegar and baking soda are effective in removing smells from shoes and providing a fresh scent. Sprinkle and spray a small amount and leave your shoes overnight to eliminate the smell effectively. Additionally, you can create a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and spray it directly.
Why Do Shoes Smell?
There are multiple reasons that shoes smell bad and cause harm to the texture, shortening their lifespan. The stains appearing on shoes also result in the growth of odours.
So, before you learn how to deodorize your shoes, let’s look at the reasons for their sour appearance.
Bacteria and Sweat Buildup
Wearing shoes all day long attracts dust and bacteria that can damage the texture of the shoes. Moreover, the sweat released leaves a foul smell inside and starts damaging the inside of the sole.
Poor Ventilation
Placing your shoes in an area with poor ventilation does not remove the smell in shoes; instead, the odours stay. Furthermore, it starts damaging the shoes from the inside and causes a foul smell.
So, whenever you want to air out your shoes, place them in an area with proper ventilation.
Wearing the Same Pair Daily
Most people make a common mistake: wearing the same pair of shoes daily. Shoes need to be changed regularly; instead of wearing the same pair repeatedly, opt for a new pair.
In the meantime, clean the other pair of your shoes and dry them properly to eliminate smell from shoes.
How to Remove Shoe Odour Naturally at Home?
There are multiple ways to deodorize your shoes to remove odours completely. These methods use natural and organic products and/or tools. So, let’s take a look at the materials you can use to clean your shoes, leaving them with a fresh scent.
1. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is the most effective and easy to use for how to remove a smell from shoes. The procedure for using baking soda is simple. Sprinkle a little amount on your shoes and leave them overnight with the solution.
Rinse your shoes the next day with clean water, if possible, or wipe them off with a clean cloth. This will give you a clean texture and a pleasant smell in your shoes.
2. Try Activated Charcoal or Charcoal Insoles
Shoes trap moisture quickly, which increases the growth of odour and leaves a foul smell behind. For that, you can use activated charcoal to deal with bacteria, odours, and moisture buildup.
Place a charcoal pouch in your shoes and leave them overnight, at least 8 to 24 hours, so it can remove smell from shoes.
3. Freeze the Shoes
Most people would not be aware, but freezing the shoes can deal with bacteria and odours. The technique is simple. Place your shoes in a bag and put them in the freezer overnight.
When the bacteria are frozen, they become visible and prove to be a surprising solution in how to remove shoe odour guide.
4. Use White Vinegar Spray
White vinegar is the most suitable cleaner for removing odours from shoes and other items. A solution of white vinegar spray would be effective, so prepare the solution first. Then spray the solution in and on the shoes, making sure you don’t overdo it.
5. Apply Essential Oils
If you don’t have a cleaning agent or shoe cleaner, essential oils can serve as a suitable backup. That’s because lavender and tea trees are effective in dealing with odours and spreading a fresh scent in shoes. Apply them and leave your shoes overnight to get the best result.
6. Insert Cedar Shoe Blocks or Balls
Cedar shoe blocks or balls can be used as the best cleaning agent for how to deodorize your shoes. These natural cleaners deal with odours efficiently as you just need to place cedar balls inside the shoes. It’ll give your shoes a pleasant smell and enhance the texture quality.
7. Stuff Shoes with Newspaper
Stuffing shoes with newspaper not only maintains shape but also absorbs moisture. That’s because wearing shoes all day leads to the growth of moisture that can leave odours behind. So, if you want a quick tip on how to deodorize your shoes, using a newspaper can be effective.
8. Dry in Direct Sunlight
Most people don’t focus on drying their shoes after washing, as odours might remain. That’s because placing your shoes in a ventilated area does not always work. So, putting them in the sunlight will do the trick and remove odours easily.
9. Use Antibacterial Shoe Sprays
Using antibacterial shoe sprays to remove odours is one of the quickest tips to leave a pleasant scent. Wearing the same pair every day increases the chances of bacteria and odours. So, these sprays will help you get rid of unwanted odours from shoes.
10. Wash the Insoles (If Removable)
If the insoles of your shoes are removable, take them out and wash them separately, as they absorb odours the most. However, if the condition of the insoles is worse than expected, replace them with new ones.
Eliminating Odour From Shoes
You can eliminate odours from shoes using effective DIY techniques and by opting for natural cleaners, such as baking soda, vinegar, cedar shoe blocks, activated charcoal, and essential oils, as well as freezing or drying them in sunlight. It’ll help you leave a fresh scent in your shoes by removing bacteria as well.
However, if you have a busy schedule, contact a professional shoe cleaning service and let the experts take care of your footwear.
When to Get Professional Help?
If the DIY techniques don’t work, you can contact a professional, such as Love2Laundry, for guidance on how to deodorize your shoes. Our prices for shoe cleaning are cost-effective and offer multiple plans depending on your frequency.
Furthermore, we employ modern techniques that are sustainable and effectively manage odours without damaging shoes. So, book now and experience professional shoe maintenance.
FAQs – How to Deodorize Your Shoes
How do you get the smell out of shoes?
The most common methods by which you can remove the smell from your shoes are by airing them out and placing them in a well-ventilated area. Apply baking soda to your shoes and leave them overnight to eliminate unwanted odours.
How long does it take baking soda to deodorize shoes?
The time it takes baking soda to deodorize odours on shoes depends on the condition of the shoes. When you apply it to your shoes, the baking soda will take 8 to 24 hours to remove the smell completely.
Can smelly shoes be saved?
There are multiple ways to clean and save your smelly shoes from damage, such as cleaning the insoles first. Treat your shoes with odour-fighting sprays and let them dry properly.
Wrap Up!
Now that you know the instructions on how to deodorize your shoes, you won’t encounter any hurdles in the washing process. Natural cleaning agents like baking soda and vinegar help in how to deodorize your sneakers.
Moreover, expert laundry services will assist you with the cleaning technique to prevent further damage to the shoes. This way, you’ll get proper instructions on how to get rid of shoe odour.