Let’s talk about stinky feet!
Well, maybe not stinky feet, but rather, stinky shoes! Even the unstinkiest of feet will cause shoes to absorb odor over time. And when you keep shoes or boots in closed closets or storage tubs, it pretty gives odor causing bacteria the perfect breeding ground.
I discovered this crazy simple shoe deodorizing powder formula while trying to find a good solution for keeping your costume shoes and boots smelling fresh while in storage bins year round. I have since started using these for my own daily wear shoes as an overnight freshening powder.
This simple to make DIY shoe deodorizer only uses two ingredients, works awesome, and takes virtually no time to make. Check it out!
Here’s what you need to make your homemade shoe deodorizer:
Baking Soda
Essential Oil
AND THAT’S IT!
Now, DIYers across the interwebs disagree on ratios of baking soda to essential oil, but I have found that about half a cup of baking soda to 20 drop of essential oil gives a powder that is potent and effective, but not overwhelming. It freshens up shoes without making you smell like a walking apothecary throughout the day.
Once you’ve got the two ingredients together, give it a good stir. Do your best to break up the essential oil as it has a tendency to clump. I like to store my excess powder in an airtight glass container, and it stays fresh for months!
Baking soda is an awesome odor absorber, as pretty much any crunchy DIYer can attest. The baking soda is what does all the hard work in this homemade shoe deodorizer, capturing smells on a molecular level and neutralizing even tough odors. Because of the chemical reaction that occurs when baking soda reduces the pH in the surrounding air, the soda will actually absorb the foul odors.
Now, you can pick out your favorite essential oils to use, and they all have unique properties beyond just “smelling pretty”. But if you really want to deter odors from forming in your shoes, use oils that are known anti-bacterials or anti-fungals. Some excellent antibacterial and antifungal oils that also smell pretty include: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lavender, Tea Tree, Bergamot, Lemongrass, Oregano and Thyme.
To use your deodorizing powder shoes in storage, simply sprinkle some of the powder inside your shoes or boots, and you are DONE! Otherwise, for everyday wear shoes, just sprinkle some powder into shoes, leave overnight, and then discard the baking soda in the morning by giving it a good shake over a sink or trash can. It’s THAT easy.
Grab up your shoes, hold them upside-down, and give them a good shake over the sink or a trash can. I had to tap the soles of my shoes a little to shake all of the powder loose.
This is such a good tip!
Glad you found it useful! <3
I need to give this to someone I know needs it really bad lol thanks for the DIY.
Hahahaha, what am awkward gift. “Here, this if for your stinky feet.” 😉
I knew about the baking soda, but not the essential oil. Now I know.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Glad you learned something!! <3
So easy! I have some boots I need to try this on 🙂
I pretty much bomb all my hubbies shoes with this mixture! 😉
Baking soda can do amazing things.
RIGHT?!?! I use it way too often for EVERYTHING! haha
Very simple – I love it! I could definitely use this on some of my shoes. 🙂
Glad you found it useful! <3
I use peppermint essential oil as it adds a cooling aspect to your feet when you put your shoes back on.
Ohhhhh, that is a great idea!!!
Baking soda is amazing, isn’t it?!!
For reals!!!
I had no idea you could DIY this stuff! The mess though…
It’s not really messy, baking soda brushes off easily!
What a great tip!
<3 <3 <3
This is such a great idea and so easy to do! It would be especially good for those seasonal shoes that might get shoved to the back of the wardrobe for a few months at a time but when you come round to wearing them again they will smell lovely and fresh 🙂 x
YUP!! Thats what I use this for primarily! All of my stored boots and shoes have this mixture sitting in them year round! hehe
Wow!! It’s good 😉
Thanks!!
My Gym shoes are horrible; I leave them in my car because they will funk up my apartment. That’s so embarrassing to admit, but it’s true. This recipe will come in handy. I can’t believe you only need two ingredients, defiantly trying this one.
YAY!!! Let me know what you think, your feedback would be awesome!
I am not sure about the mess, but I will give that one a go anyway. Funky smelling shoes are the worst, and especially my sneakers have a tendency to ger gross on the odor front pretty quickly.
They really don’t get messy, any spills brush off easily!
What a great, natural idea! Thank you!
Have a lovely day 🙂
Rosanna x
For sure! Thanks for stopping by my blog Rosanna! <3
Thanks for this tip! Will try it with my riding boots, too! 🙂
-Kati
Almost Stylish
Let me know how it works for you! <3
Oh, and thanks for your sweet comment on my bloopers post! Next time you are in Germany… 😀
-Kati
Almost Stylish
Yessssssssssss!!!!! I would love to meet up with some of my favorite bloggers when I travel!!!
I love that this can be made with items that I already have in my pantry! Thanks for the tip!
For sure! Glad you like!
this is so helpful! we just so happen to have a foot odor problem in our house…
LOL, oh no!!! Hope this helps! 😉
I’ve heard about this idea before, I tried it out and it works, thanks for sharing, dear 🙂
Yeah, it is such an easy tip!!
I love that you always share great all natural DIY’s. It’s a much cheaper option than purchasing the organic or natural brands, which can be so expensive! Thanks for sharing this one, I’ll have to try it out with my gym sneakers especially lol! I hope you have a great week ahead, beauty!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Glad you found it helpful!!! <3
😉
Adorei esse pó caseiro!
Ótima terça!
Beijo! ^^
<3 <3 <3
Love this natural DIY post, thanks! Some of our shoes could use it!
Hehe, glad you found it useful! <3
Great DIY thanks for sharing it.
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
No prob, thanks for stopping by Gemma!
This is great AND inexpensive because most of the ingredients I already have at home.
Perfect! Let me know how you like it! <3
nice ……..good to see this…..!!!!!
<3 <3 <3
I’ve used baking powder for freshening my shoes… I’ve never used essential oils with but I’d love to try peppermint with it♡
That’s a great tip. I would never of thought to do that.