Tired of smelly shoes? A baking soda trick can be a cheap and easy solution for you

One of the worst things that humid weather brings with it is odour. As humidity increases, so does sweating, which means unwanted odour from clothes, but especially from shoes. Whether it is your gym sneakers, office shoes, or everyday running shoes, odour buildup is common. While you can wash your clothes every now and then, you cannot wash all your shoes at once and every day. So what can be a quick and cost-effective solution?

Well, the solution might just be sitting in your pantry. An innocent ingredient that you often add to your baked goods- baking soda. It's cheap, easy to use and quite effective, and in fact is the go-to hack for many who want to freshen up a space, remove odour without digging a hole in the pocket.

Why do the shoes smell in the first place?

Well, sweat alone is not the reason. It is the bacterial growth. Covered shoes mean limited airflow for feet. So, when moisture is trapped inside the footwear, bacteria break down the sweat and dead skin cells.

So, how does baking soda help?

Well, baking soda absorbs the moisture and neutralises the odour. No dampness means bacteria cannot thrive. Hence, baking soda is not just used in shoes, but also in cabinets to remove the rusty smell, refrigerators, cars, carpets, and other places.

What makes it perfect is that no added chemicals are required, and with just minimal effort, you can have a fresh pair of shoes to hit the gym or go to the office tomorrow.

How to use the baking soda in the shoes?

Take 2 tablespoons of baking soda and sprinkle it inside each shoe. Make sure the powder reaches the toe and the heel area, and leave it undisturbed for the night. By morning, the baking soda would have absorbed much of the moisture and odour trapped inside. Simply shake the powder out before wearing the shoes again.

The no-mess trick

If you do not want loose powder in your shoe, you can try this mess-free alternative. Take an old handkerchief, a sock or even a tissue paper. Add the baking soda in this and tie it securely to prevent spillage. Place these in the shoes.

What to remember before adding baking soda?

It is important to make sure that your shoes are not drenched in sweat. It has to be dry. Let it air dry. Then add the baking soda.

Avoid overuse of large amounts of baking soda every day.

While baking soda is quite a good option to remove odour, make sure you are washing your socks every day. Maintain good foot hygiene. Let your shoes air dry always before wearing them.