How To Deodorise Smelly Shoes With Bicarbonate Of Soda

Got shoes, boots or trainers that stink? Worry not, it’s an easy fix. Here’s how to deodorise those smelly shoes naturally and effectively using non-toxic bicarbonate of soda.

I use bicarbonate of soda (also known as baking soda or bicarb) all over my home. Whether it’s cleaning my taps or greasy surfaces in my kitchen, or even removing sticky labels from jars, there’s pretty much nothing that bicarbonate of soda can’t do.

Where the power of bicarbonate of soda comes into its own, though, is its superhero-like ability to absorb bad smells. Here’s my full step-by-step guide on how you can harness these superpowers to get rid of bad odours from even the smelliest of shoes:

How To Deodorise Smelly Shoes With Bicarbonate Of Soda

Ready to make your best shoes smell fresher than fresh? Here’s all you need to deodorise your smelly shoes using bicarbonate of soda:

You Will Need

• A box of bicarbonate of soda – here’s where to buy bicarbonate of soda in bulk
• Optional – essential oil of your choice
• Optional – an old pair of socks or the feet of an old pair of tights
• Optional – string, two elastic bands, or similar.

Method

• Take your smelly shoes and add around a tablespoon or so of bicarb to the inside of each shoe. There’s no need to be exact. Next, give each shoe a good shake to distribute the powder evenly.
• Leave your shoes for around 12 hours to allow the bicarb to work its magic. Particularly stinky shoes may need longer, as much as 24 hours, for severe cases.
• Once done, make sure to remove as much of the bicarb as possible. Bicarbonate of soda can irritate sensitive skin, particularly if you like to go sockless. I normally pour out any excess and use the detail nozzle on my vacuum cleaner to remove any powder left behind.
• Job done – enjoy that fresh feet feeling!

A Mess-Free Option

I find this the most effective method to deodorise smelly shoes. However, if you don’t want to have to deal with removing the bicarbonate of soda (I get it, it can be messy and a bit fiddly), then you can alternatively make shoe freshener pouches.

These contain the bicarb, meaning there’s no mess to deal with.

To make these, simply take two old socks or the feet of an old pair of tights, and add bicarbonate of soda. You can optionally add 2 or 3 drops of your favourite essential oil to each pouch for fragrance.

Next, secure the end of each pouch with an elastic band, string, or similar, and pop one pouch into each shoe. Leave the pouches in your shoes overnight, for fresh feet come the morning.

Why Bicarbonate Of Soda Works

Sprinkling bicarbonate of soda to freshen your shoes might feel like an old wives’ tale. But it really is the ultimate product when it comes to remedying stinky shoes. This is all down to its chemical makeup.

In chemistry terms, bicarbonate of soda is what’s known as a base. In simple terms, a base is a substance that can react with an acid and neutralise it. This is called an acid-base reaction.

So what’s that got to do with bad smells? Well, the molecules responsible for creating bad odours are acidic. So our base – in this case, the bicarbonate of soda – reacts with the acidic molecules responsible for causing the stench in your shoes. This then neutralises the molecules, meaning the bad smells are no more!

More Top Tips

I’ve got heaps of tips when it comes to both bicarbonate of soda and stinky shoes.

• Looking for more bicarb tips? Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning with bicarbonate of soda.
• And looking for more ways to tackle bad smells? Here are 6 more natural ways to stop shoes from smelling.
• And if your shoes need a deeper refresh, washing your trainers properly can make all the difference. Here’s how to wash your trainers if everything else fails!