Bad smells are unavoidable when your feet stay trapped inside shoes all day long. If your shoes smell awful, you don't need to put up with the embarrassment. Give that foul stench the boot by treating your shoes with odor-absorbing baking soda.
Step 1
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside each shoe. Use enough baking soda to coat the entire insole of the shoe.
Step 2
Shake the shoes around to distribute the baking soda over all interior surfaces. You may need to place a hand over the shoe opening to keep the baking soda from flying out.
Step 3
Place a scented fabric-softener sheet in each shoe, if desired. You might want to do this for very smelly shoes, such as gym sneakers.
Step 4
Put the shoes in a plastic bag, then tie or seal it. Place the bag in your freezer and let it set for 24 to 48 hours.
Step 5
Remove the bag from the freezer, then take the shoes out of the bag.
Step 6
Throw away the fabric softener and empty the baking soda from the shoes into the trash or down the sink drain.
Step 7
Allow the shoes to come to room temperature before wearing.
- Baking soda also deodorizes smelly clothes. Sprinkle a few pinches in the hamper or add 1 cup of baking soda to a load of laundry.
- For an alternative to the freezer method, fill old socks with 2 tablespoons of baking soda each. Tie a knot at the end of each sock and place one in each shoe overnight.
- If you have leather shoes, use baking soda with them sparingly as too much baking soda can dry leather out.