“I think I need to buy a shoe deodorizer. This is getting uncomfortable.”
When you come home after a day at work, a workout at the gym, or a run out on the town, there’s a good chance you’re going to be greeted by sweaty, smelly feet right at the door. We know there’s nothing embarrassing about funky feet, but nobody wants to carry bacteria around, right? What do you do, then?
When your feet start to sweat, your shoes trap moisture, accumulate bacteria, and harbor funk.
That’s the thing, though – when you catch a whiff of your feet the moment you take your shoes off, you’re pretty much smelling the bacteria that are holding on to your feet, socks, and shoes. Therefore, you need to get rid of the odor and remove the bacteria to ensure happy and healthy feet.
Sure, there’s no right or wrong way of refreshing your shoes.
However, here’s a foolproof way to ensure you don’t contract Athlete’s foot or some other, nasty fungal disease. Before you kick your feet up, don’t forget to dry your shoes. Remove the shoe pads, stuff your shoes with newspaper, and allow them enough time to dry before you wear them again.
When they’re dry, you can resort to odor-reducing and germ-killing sprays, pods, and pouches – and continue using them on a regular. You might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of products available on the market; but don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
What to keep an eye on when you’re on the hunt for a shoe deodorizer?
When you turn to Google to check whether you can order a shoe deodorizer online, you might be swamped with the number of options you’re presented with.
Which shoe deodorizers are the best at keeping odors and bacteria at bay? What’s the thing with sprays, powders, pouches, balls, and shoe inserts – which ones are more effective?
Worry not! When you’re trying o figure out which of these types of odor-reducing products are suitable for your needs, you can keep an eye on a few features that are going to ensure you get your money’s worth.
Right away, you need to decide whether you’re better off with a spray, a powder, or a completely different type of product.
Sprays, on one hand, are convenient because you can use them on other sweaty, stinky gear but they require planning because they need to dry. Powders, on the other hand, might be a little messy at times.
On top of that, you need to understand which ingredients work the best.
Some odor-reducing or odor-eliminating products only mask the stench with fragrances and perfumes. Therefore, you would be better off searching for products that grab dirt, sweat, body oils, and bacteria to remove the cause of the odor and leave a protective barrier to prevent the smell from recurring.
Other than that, you can opt for products that appease your senses, work on other surfaces (workout gear, gym bags, and yoga mats), and are cost-efficient. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite picks to keep your footwear smelling fresh at all times. Let’s get into it!
What are the best shoe deodorizers at the moment?
1. Hex Performance Deodorizing Spray
Starting with a bang, the Hex Performance Deodorizing Spray happens to be one of the strongest shoe deodorizers on the market. When you’re battling weeks and weeks of sweat, stench, and bacteria, you might need to resort to something a little more serious than Febreze.
We recommend the Hex Performance spray because it’s specifically designed to clean, protect, and deodorize everything that needs a dash of freshness. When you use the spray, make sure you’re not too close to your shoes to prevent drenching them.
Don’t worry about the formula because it’s biodegradable, vegan-friendly, and free of alcohol, parabens, and sulfates. Now, the price might be a little steep for the amount of product you get, but the Hex Performance Deodorizing Spray promises to get the job done.
2. Poo-Pourri Shoe Odor Eliminating Spray
Poo-Pourri’s a brand we’re familiar with because they’re already known to make the best bathroom refreshers on the market. The Poo-Pourri Shoe Odor Eliminating Spray seems to feature the same characteristics that are guaranteed to keep unpleasant scents at bay.
With only a few spritzes, the Poo-Pourri spray removes the stench of your shoes and spreads an alluring scent of cedarwood, grapefruit, and eucalyptus. While some sprays might damage the surfaces you spritz them on, the Poo-Purri spray doesn’t do that.
We also can’t forget that you can use the spray on whichever stinky surfaces you want – from yoga mats and gym bags to your friend’s smelly shoes. Just keep in mind that you do need to wait for the spray to dry before you can wear your shoes.
3. Lumi Outdoors Natural Shoe Deodorizer Spray
Whether you’re trying to be more sustainable, responsible about the effect some of these sprays have on the environment, or a fan of natural, holistic remedies, the Lumi Outdoors Natural Shoe Deodorizer Spray might be the one for you.
Use the Lumi Outdoors spray well before you’re planning on wearing something to ensure you don’t have to wear your shoes while they’re wet and soggy. A couple of quick spritzes promise to take the stench away, but you do have to wait for the spray to dry to notice a difference.
Lumi Outdoors sprays are made with essential oils that are known to possess antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which means they’re great for people who suffer from athlete’s foot. You can spray whichever surfaces you want over 700 times before you run out of product from a single bottle.
4. 10 Seconds Shoe Disinfectant and Deodorizer
Next time you start wondering “Why do my shoes smell like cat pee?” you might want to try the 10 Seconds Shoe Disinfectant and Deodorizer. Right off the bat, the brand doesn’t make empty promises considering that the spray works within 10 seconds and removes odors, mold, and bacteria.
Rather than masking the stench, the spray manages to disinfect your shoes and other surfaces you spray. We don’t even have to mention that you’re bound to adore the smell that stays behind.
Sure, the 10 Seconds Shoe Disinfectant and Deodorizer might not have been made with a holistic formula, but reviewers agree that you can’t smell the chemicals and alcohol after you’re done cleaning. Since these sprays completely eliminate the stinky stuff, we’re happy to give them a chance!
5. Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz Balls
Oh, the Arm & Hammer balls definitely bust any odors. We’re slowly moving away from sprays because we’re sure we’ve provided you with enough recommendations to satisfy your needs.
We do, however, need to offer you a few other types of shoe deodorizers that work wonders on funky feet and footwear.
For starters, the Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz Balls are made with baking soda which means you aren’t going to get that whiff of harsh chemicals or laundry detergents each time you refresh your shoes.
Furthermore, these balls feature a hardy build which means they’re much more durable than some of the other balls available on the market.
One thing though, you might want to replace them every 45 to 60 days because they’re not as strong once they’ve been lying around for a while.
6. Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Ultra Odor-Fighting Foot Powder
What do you do, though, when you’re searching for something suitable for both your feet and your footwear? While we’re pretty sure that the 100% holistic sprays won’t harm your sensitive skin, we’re bringing you a better solution from Dr. Sholl.
Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Ultra Odor-Fighting Foot Powder promises to eliminate odors and remove excess moisture. Sprinkle a little bit of powder on your feet, shoes, or socks to ensure you have a comfortable workout or a walk. Since you’re allowed to use the power before your feet get smelly, you’re more likely to keep them fresh and funk-free.
7. GearHalo Sports Deodorizer Pods
We can’t forget about these adorable bean bags packed with neutralizing and deodorizing beads. When you’re searching for a quick fix, check out the GearHalo Sports Deodorizer Pods because they’re meant to be used the moment you come home with sweaty, toasty feet.
Now, the GearHalo beads are activated by heat which means they’re going to perform best at room temperature or within super, super warm shoes. Not only that, but these little pods promise to remove excess moisture, refresh, and leave a pleasant, lightly floral scent behind.
However, they’re known to expire after three months of use which might be something to keep an eye on.
8. Woodlore Cedar Shoe Fresh Inserts
We might have saved the most suitable option for the end of the article because the Woodlore Cedar Shoe Fresh Inserts are made of organic cotton and 100% natural aromatic cedar.
Also, the brand’s known to produce high-quality, high-performance cedar hangers and storage gadgets that promise to keep your shoes and clothes odor-free and bug-free. At the end of the day, these cotton pouches are simple to use and efficient at removing bacteria, absorbing moisture, and eliminating odors.
What more would you need from a shoe deodorizer, right?
