Get rid of bad smells from shoes immediately with these quick and easy DIY remedies

Closed shoes warm us and protect our feet, but prevent the exchange of air and causes sweating. When we find ourselves having to take off our shoes in the presence of other people, we may feel a little embarrassed by our stinky footwear.

For some shoes, the easiest and fastest solution to clean them is to put them in the washing machine, but it is also true that we certainly cannot wash them every day like this. In other cases, sprays and deodorants are useful to prevent bad smells. Let's find out about some DIY solutions.

1. Prevention

Creativo

First of all, we can try to prevent or limit the onset of bad smells with a few simple tips. Always leave shoes in the open air for a few hours and do not put them away immediately in the shoe cabinet once you return home; this will help reduce bad smells thanks to the change of air. Always try to wear socks made from natural and breathable fibers to reduce the risk of sweating and, if we have to wear shoes all day, we can carry a replacement to use after having refreshed our feet with fresh water. Finally, we can resort to the help of insoles: there are some types made from cedar wood that contain antibacterial and antifungal substances, which protect the foot and prevent the formation of bad odors.

2. Vinegar and lemon

Creativo

We can easily make an anti-sweat spray with vinegar and lemon: white vinegar absorbs sweat and bad smells, while lemon is antiseptic and leaves a pleasant scent. To do this, fill a spray bottle with 500ml of water and slowly add 150ml of white vinegar and 100ml of lemon. Mix and apply to the shoe.

3. Bicarbonate

Creativo

Bicarbonate can be used both in powder form and in solution as a spray.

• Powder: add 5 drops of essential oil (you can use tea tree oil for a disinfectant action) to two tablespoons of bicarbonate and sprinkle the powder inside the shoes;
• As a spray: dissolve 20g of bicarbonate mixed with 20 drops of essential oil in 300 ml of water, then spray on shoes and let them dry.

4. Quick remedies

There are also quick remedies, which you can use in an emergency or if you are in a hurry. Here are some of them:

• Borotalco: among the oldest of remedies, just sprinkle this powder inside your shoes and leave it to act for an hour before brushing and removing it. You can also use it directly on your feet to deodorize them and prevent sweating.
• Corn starch: can replace bicarbonate in the preparation indicated above.
• Cat litter: put a handful of silica litter in your shoes before going to sleep: it will absorb odors and the next morning your shoes will be fresh and fragrant
• Dryer softener sheets: you can put them inside your shoes instead of throwing them away after use; if they are fragrance free, you can add a few drops of essential oil.

These are just some of the remedies: which other ones do you know of and use?