
Have you just realized that you’re having stinky boots? You can’t throw your shoes in the washing machine, like socks. It may be too late for an easy fix.
But don’t worry. There are a few smelly boots remedies. They may take a few extra efforts but are ultimately worth it.
Today, I’ll share most of all tricks and a few prevention tips to remove odor from boots in this article. So, stay tuned till the end.
HOW TO GET SMELL OUT OF BOOTS
How to Get Rid of Odor in Boots?
There are many ways to deodorize boots; I’ll share only the effective methods; that I’ve tried and tested. Here, you'll need a few cheap and eco-friendly products for these simple DIY hacks. I suggest going through all of them and trying the one; sounds easiest for you.
1. The Most Popular One: DIY Deodorizing Powder

Here, you'll need a few cheap and eco-friendly products for these simple DIY hacks. I prefer this powdery solution most for being less messy and working most efficiently.
Things needed:
Cornstarch, Baking Soda and Essential Oil
2. DIY Spray

This DIY spray is super handy for not only stinky shoes but also for furniture, bedsheets, curtains, and clothing; you can even clean surfaces with it.
Things needed:
Water, Distilled White Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil and a Spray Bottle
3. Use UV Rays
The UV rays of UV lamps can kill bacteria, fungi, and nasty odors molecules. So, put the shoes under a UVC lamp after wearing them instead of stuffing them in the closet or a shoe bin. Don’t forget to undo the laces and pull the tongues loose.
Remember, the UV rays of the sub could damage leather. So, if you’re thinking about drying out your shoes in a sunny spot, never forget to use a UC protector beforehand.
4. Stuff in the Dryer Sheets

The dryer sheets are just like a savior for combating smells from a range of household things, so I tried this thing to work for the boots and get success. You also try this way -
Things needed:
Only Dryer Sheets
5. Teabag Test
Teabags efficiently absorb odor. So, keep four to five tea bags in each boot, and leave them overnight to suck up moisture and smell. In the morning, check the shoes for odor. It would smell completely fresh for sure.
I'm highly impressed with this trick; hopefully, you'll also be. And don't worry; the tea bags don't go completely to waste. You can use them for fertilizing plants or cleaning windows.
6. Kitty Litter
Kitty litter is another effective odor absorbent element; that you can use for stinky shoes.
Sprinkle a cup of cat’s litter inside each boot; leave it overnight and check it in the morning. The odors will be just gone.
7. Citrus Fruit
Sour fruits like - limes, lemon, oranges, or grapefruit are great bad odor removers. Put the peel of these fruits inside the boor; leave it overnight, and dump out the peel in the morning.
Your boots will smell fresh for sure. Keep following this way every few days to prevent your shoes from smelling bad.
8. Commercial Products
If none of the above-mentioned natural methods work, you can try a quality commercial deodorizer with strong fragrances.
Besides having moisture-absorbing and antibacterial qualities, if you own any strongly scented product, it will leave a fresh scent in your shoes.
Make sure you’ve gone through all usage instructions before starting using it.
9. Add a new Insole
If nothing is working for you, it might be time to repair your shoes by adding a new insole. You can order this from online stores of the original manufacturer of your boots or visit a nearby shoe repairing shop.
How to Prevent Odor in Boots?
Prevention is always easier than cure. So here are my tips with which you can stop the breeding of those nasty boot odor molecules.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What causes boot odor?
The boots have less ventilation than other shoes, so it traps the odor when your feet stink. When you wear such enclosed shoes all day long your feet will automatically start sweating a lot.
Despite that, your feet could sweat a lot; when you’re stressed, anxious about something, going through hormonal changes, or having any serious medical conditions, like hyperhidrosis.
2. What is the best Boot odor eliminator?
Vinegar solution, baking soda, and fresh air are great for removing bad odor. So, air out the boot first; then, apply the DIY methods and wait for the magical result.
3. Will freezing kill boot odor?
According to many sourced suggestions, I’ve tried this method, but when I took my shoes out of the freezer, I noticed some bad smells. Then, I researched that freezing anything doesn’t kill any bacteria but prevents their growth. So, I don’t recommend this method for removing boots' smells.
CONCLUSION
You may think that the commercial fragrance sprays quickly mask the boot odor. In reality, the scents temporarily cover up the bad smells but can’t eliminate their sources. Enough of that temporary solution; it’s time to fix the problem permanently. Won’t you feel so? Hopefully, Yes! That’s why you’re still here.
Thanks for staying with me. I’ll be more than happy if you let me know whether any of these tips and tricks help you with the stinky shoe problem or not?
Charles is a Registered Nutritionist with a Master degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and a Bachelor degree in Nutritional Sciences from The Pennsylvania State University. He actively contributes to all trending fitness products and aims to provide consumers with reliable information and review fitness products. Thomas Berumen has an extensive fitness background. He has been working as a personal trainer for the past eight months. He is so dedicated and passionate to lead an active and healthy lifestyle and motivates his readers to do the same.