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Stinky shoes are not fun to travel with, especially if you’re going to be on a plane or having to remove your shoes after a long day of sightseeing. TFG readers recommend the best shoe deodorizer to avoid smelly travel situations!
Shoe Deodorizer
Table Of Contents
Travel Fashion Girl help! A reader asks:
Any hacks or tips for alleviating a stinky Chaco sandal situation while traveling? Italy last week was brutal.
Whether you’re looking for sprays, tools or home-based products, TFG readers have you covered. See what they have to say about dealing with those whiffy shoes!
Reader Recommendations for Shoe Deodorizers
Odor Eaters Insole
Forget taking care of the problem before or after, but how about something that works while you’re wearing it? That’s where the Odor Eaters Insoles come in.
One TFG reader shares, “These keep my shoes from getting sweaty and smelly. I didn’t use them with my first pair of ballet flats and they were so gross after a while. Used them every pair after that and have noticed a massive difference.”
You can throw these discrete insoles to any pair of shoes. They protect your shoes from both odor and wetness, plus they add just a little extra cushion!
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Shoe Deodorizer Balls
Another tried and true method recommended by TFG readers are the Sof Sole shoe fresheners. For an easy-to-pack, easy-to-use deodorizing experience, you might want to consider a set of these!
TFG readers love bringing these along. One shares, “Those little sneaker deodorizer balls are a must! Keep your shoes in a separate pouch and neutralize the smell from the rest of your belongings.”
These packable fresheners are easy to use. You simply twist the ball to activate it and place it in your shoe. It’s small round design makes it perfect for accessing some of the hard-to-reach places in your shoes.
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Moso Natural Purifying Deodorizer Eliminator
Moso Natural Purifying Deodorizer Eliminator
Another natural choice, Moso has these cute little bags that can be placed right in your shoe (or bag if you made the mistake of carrying stinky shoes in it) and left to do their work eliminating the odor.
These deodorizing bags contain charcoal. They have no fragrance, chemicals and they’re non-toxic. Beyond simply making your shoes smell better, these freshening pillows help prevent mold, mildew and bacteria. And they last up to two years!
These are great little odor eaters and can fit easily into your carry-on during your next trip. TFG readers recommend giving the Moso a try as they “work really well.”
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Rocket Pure Natural Mint Shoe Deodorizer
Natural Shoe Deodorizer Spray
Rocket Pure makes some of the best shoe deodorizer spray that helps cut the bad odors so you can have a more comfortable shoe-wearing experience. Plus, it has a 100% natural formula, so it’s safe for everyone!
The great thing about spray is that it’s easy for everyone to use and a piece of cake to apply on any type of shoe. One TFG reader explains, “I use this, which also works as a foot powder and you can spray a bit in your shoes to keep them fresh.”
If you’re looking for a natural, safe way to beat the harsh smell and bacteria buildup after a long day exploring this might just be the perfect solution for you!
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Zorbx Odor Remover
Zorbx sounds like something from outer space. And if it is an extraterrestrial concoction, we bet they have some nice smelling shoes. This is a non-toxic, hypo-allergenic and biodegradable spray that works instantly.
While this is a multipurpose cleaner, TFG readers tell us that this spray works great on your shoes. So while you’re getting rid of pet, smoke and chemical odors, you can also spritz a bit of this in your shoes and voila!
Throw the mini bottle of Zorbx into your travel bag and adventure with confidence and odor free feet!
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PEET Shoes Sanitizer and Deodorizer
While the PEET Sanitizer and Deodorizer Module might look a little strange as a shoe freshener, it’s actually quite simple to use. You just put one of the sanitizing lights into each shoe, plug in the adapter and let it deodorizes, and sanitizes your footwear in 3 to 8 hours, all while using less electricity than a standard light bulb.
TFG readers love this method of keeping your shoes fresh. One shares, “I go barefoot and then clean my shoes every night with shoe sanitizers. I’ve done it for years and my shoes never stink (even my old, overly loved, worn in all weather conditions, leather flats that should be retired).”
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DIY Shoe Deodorizer Ideas
Lysol Laundry Sanitizer
Lysol Laundry Sanitizer has no bleach in it, is gentle on most fabrics and materials and can help you fight bad odors. A bit of this sanitizer might just help you to clean out that bad smell for you and keep it out.
One TFG reader suggests wiping the insides of your shoes with Lysol sanitizer or even a pre-moistened wipe. And another explains, “Put baby powder in your shoes, and get a travel size bottle of Lysol to take with you and spray it in your shoes.”
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Lavender Essential Oils
If you’re looking for a specific essential oil to help fight bad shoe odors, TFG readers recommend trying Lavender. Lavender gives off a nice smell, it’s strong enough to help ward off stink.
One reader suggests, “I use a mix of vodka / isopropyl alcohol, tea tree and lavender essential oils for stinky shoes and clothes.”
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Love, Home & Planet Dryer Sheets
Dryer Sheets
If you’re not convinced by all of the fancy sprays and shoe odor-fighting products and are looking for something you can do right now, TFG readers suggest slipping a dryer sheet into your shoe bags.
Dryer sheets are amazing tools, and according to our readers, they can help ward off bad smells! One TFG reader shares, “I travel with a dryer sheet in each of my nylon zippered shoe bags. They help to alleviate any stinky shoe possibility.”
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Purification Essential Oils from Young Living
Purification Essential Oils from Young Living
Essential oils are strong smelling, and in most cases, they smell pretty good. With that in mind, TFG readers recommend getting a sample pack of oils from Young Living and using them in your shoes when you’re traveling.
These are not only immune boosting and mood changing, but they really can help get rid of nasty smells. One TFG reader says, “These do wonders for stinky smells. I’ve used them on my Clark sandals with success.”
While you can get these as a sample pack and try your favorites, if you have one in mind you can get a small bottle of it (some readers suggest Young Living’s Purification) instead!
Note: Be cautious when using essential oils if you have pets. Oils like peppermint, tea tree, citrus, and ylang ylang (among others) can be harmful to your furry friends.
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Product Comparison Chart
| BRAND | MODEL | FEATURES | REVIEWS | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Reader Recommendations for Shoe Deodorizers | ||
|
Odor Eaters Insole |
“These keep my shoes from getting sweaty and smelly. I didn’t use them with my first pair of ballet flats and they were so gross after a while. Used them every pair after that and have noticed a massive difference.” | Check Price |
|
Sof Sole Shoe Fresheners |
“Those little sneaker deodorizer balls are a must! Keep your shoes in a separate pouch and neutralize the smell from the rest of your belongings.” | Check Price |
|
Moso Natural Purifying Deodorizer Eliminator |
These deodorizing bags contain charcoal. They have no fragrance, chemicals and they’re non-toxic. Beyond simply making your shoes smell better, these freshening pillows help prevent mold, mildew and bacteria. | Check Price |
|
Rocket Pure Natural Mint Shoe Deodorizer |
“I use this, which also works as a foot powder and you can spray a bit in your shoes to keep them fresh.” | Check Price |
|
ZORBX Odor Remover |
This is a non-toxic, hypo-allergenic and biodegradable spray that works instantly. | Check Price |
|
PEET Shoes Sanitizer and Deodorizer |
“I go barefoot and then clean my shoes every night with shoe sanitizers. I’ve done it for years and my shoes never stink (even my old, overly loved, worn in all weather conditions, leather flats that should be retired).” | Check Price |
| DIY Shoe Deodorizer Ideas | ||
|
Lysol Laundry Sanitizer |
“Put baby powder in your shoes, and get a travel size bottle of Lysol to take with you and spray it in your shoes.” | %STAR Check Price |
|
Lavender Essential Oil |
“I use a mix of vodka / isopropyl alcohol, tea tree and lavender essential oils for stinky shoes and clothes.” | Check Price |
|
Love, Home & Planet Dryer Sheets |
“I travel with a dryer sheet in each of my nylon zippered shoe bags. They help to alleviate any stinky shoe possibility.” | Check Price |
|
Purification Essential Oils from Young Living |
“These do wonders for stinky smells. I’ve used them on my Clark sandals with success.” | %STAR Check Price |
Other Tips for Freshening Up Your Shoes
TFG readers shared some other quick and easy tips to keeping your shoes fresh and get rid of odors if they start to sneak in. And the best part is you don’t need to get a bunch of extra bells and whistles to get the job done.
One reader suggests washing your shoes in the top shelf of the dishwasher using a few drops of essential oil-based detergent because it doesn’t sud. This will help you keep on top of the dirt, grime and smell!
While you’re on your trip and you don’t have a dishwasher handy (or if you simply don’t have access to a dishwasher) another reader suggests wearing your shoes in the shower to give them a quick wash. Just make sure your shoes are a washable material and give them time to dry!
And finally, if you have some tea bags on hand, one reader shares, “I had some Birkenstocks get gross and stinky after getting caught in the rain, so I saved a couple of used tea bags, let them dry, and then put them in the Birk sandals overnight. The tea bags absorbed all the smell, and they were nice and fresh the next day.”
Don’t let stinky shoes ruin your trip!
What are your top picks for the best shoe deodorizer? Share your thoughts below!
To find more shoe ideas for travel, please read:
- Best Shoes for Travel: Don’t But Another Pair Until You Read This
- 10 Comfortable and Cute Shoes for Wide Feet
- Best Travel Shoe Bags: Readers Suggest Inventive Ways to Pack Shoes
- Ankle Booties: The Best Shoes for Travel to Europe in Spring & Fall
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By far the cheap and easy solution would be good old baking soda. How to apply it would depend on how sturdy the shoe is.
Hi Mandy, thank you for sharing how you like to keep your shoes fresh with us! ?