Madre's Shoe Tips: Rid of Unpleasant Odours from Your Shoes.

The bad smell coming from your shoes can be very overwhelming. It makes you want to throw them as far as you can. However, you do not need to get rid of your shoes to make the unpleasant odours go away. Here are some tips.

Here are 5 tips to get rid of the odours

#1. Look for the cause.

Examine your shoes before you try to treat the odour. If you have damaged insoles, either take them out or dry them. A better way is to exchange your old insoles for a fresh pair.

#2. Dry them out.

Put your shoes someplace dry and airy. By keeping them dry, you help prevent the bacterial growth that causes the stinky odour. Avoid harsh direct sun for long periods, because the heat weakens the glue and fades the colour.

#3. Baking soda.

Pour in a healthy dose of baking soda in your shoes and let the powder absorb the odour overnight.

#4. Citrus peels.

Put fresh orange, grapefruit, lemon, or lime peels into the shoes. Fresh citrus peel has a great smell because of its essential oils. Leave it in your shoes overnight and remove it before using them. The shoes should smell a lot better.

#5. Used teabags.

Teabags contain tannins which are very effective in killing bacteria that can be found inside the shoe. Get a used tea bag and place it inside your smelly shoes and leave it overnight. Take it out the next morning.

Stop It Happening Again

Odour is a moisture problem before it is a hygiene problem. A sealed insole traps sweat against the foot all day, which is where the bacteria come from. A perforated, breathable insole is the structural fix: Mya Slingback Wedge and Filia Criss-Cross Sandal are both built with one for this exact reason.

Rotating two pairs rather than wearing one every day also helps, because each pair gets a full day to dry. If the smell is paired with white or grey patches, that is mould rather than odour, and we cover it in why shoes go mouldy and how to prevent it.

Do not get rid of your shoes first, until you have tried to fix the odour.