Is opening the shoe rack no less than a torture for everyone at home? If yes, then read this post carefully. Wearing the same shoes all day long can cause them to stink due to accumulated sweat and bacteria. Consequently, when these shoes are put back into the rack, it starts to stink like your worst memory. In addition to smelly shoes, the design or structure of a shoe rack can also be a reason behind the bad odor from your rack or cabinet.
However, today, I will fix this problem forever by sharing multiple ways to avoid this situation. Some of them are easy to go with while others might be slightly expensive.
Ways to Avoid a smelly shoe rack
The first step would be to keep your shoes clean and change your socks regularly. And also use the right socks for each need. These days bamboo socks are getting better reviews than cotton socks as far as eliminating foot and sweat odor is concerned.
I will not go into details about how to keep your shoes smelling great as I would go off-topic. My focus would remain on the shoe rack from smelling foul.
And if you are really interested in eliminating odor from shoes then read this article which talks in detail about home remedies that can be used for such purpose.
Fortunately, there is a long list of things that can be done to enhance the overall vibe of your shoe rack. Some of them help to eliminate bad odor from your rack while others will help you deodorize your shoe cabinet.
Therefore, don’t forget to try out these tips and tricks and keep your shoe rack from smelling.
1) Air Out your Shoe Rack
Airing out your shoe rack can be a great step to solve this problem. This will naturally allow the bad odor to diffuse out of your shoe rack.
Firstly, remove all boots, sandals, and slippers. Once you are done, place it outside in the open air for five to six hours.
Make sure to check out the weather conditions before you carry out this process. It is because racks are made from different materials such as plastic, steel, wood, and glass.
Unexpected conditions such as rainfall can damage your frame depending on what it is made of.
2) Baking Soda
Baking soda is a magical ingredient when it comes to eliminating bad odors. This common cleaning necessity has some amazing disinfecting and deodorizing properties.
All you need to do is sprinkle a pinch of baking soda on your shoes. It soaks up all the moisture, preventing the build-up of smell. Don’t forget to clean up your shoes before you wear them.
You must be thinking that removing baking soda every time you want to wear your shoes can be irritating. Well, here is the solution: Use dry coffee pouches and fill them up with baking soda. These pouches can be easily removed and replaced.
You can also use this multifaceted product on shoe racks directly. Spray baking soda solution onto the surfaces and edges of your rack. Leave it there for 30 minutes and then remove it. Some people also rely on closet capsules or pump dispensers containing baking soda.
3) Use Vinegar with Water
According to multiple studies, sweat-related odors are mostly due to the breakdown of bacteria in the body. Therefore, you should be disinfecting them as regularly as possible. Along with shoes, don’t forget to disinfect the shoe rack itself.
When it comes to disinfecting, you should know that white vinegar is a great option. White wine vinegar has some outstanding disinfecting properties.
Researches even allow you to use it for toothbrushes! Imagine how great it would work on shoes.
However, this might not be the best solution for many, as vinegar has a smell of its own which is very pungent and i don’t stand it.
4) Mothballs
Mothballs are also one of my favourite products to use for this purpose.
These primarily repel insects and they have a strong scent as well. The accumulation of moisture and darkness in the show rack can attract the insects they lay their eggs in the corners. Insects alongside odor-causing bacteria can multiply the colonies of bacteria and hence the foul smell.
It is always a good idea to use scented, nontoxic, and pets friendly mothballs.
Although they are typically found in washing basins, they can also be used for your shoe closet. These balls prevent insects and other unwanted creatures. In addition, their strong smell overtakes the bad odor in a shoe closet. So, finally, you can say goodbye to your smelly closet forever!
5) Scented Sachets
Putting scented sachets in any closed space works wonders. These add a scented layer to the shoe rack and also prevent the bad odor from accumulating.
They are well packed in netted sachets and do not spill here and there.
6) Odor Eliminator Sprays
A very good way to eliminate that foul smell from shoes, shoe racks, and your feet is to kill the odor-causing bacteria.
There are plenty of products available online and in your local stores and it is only wise to invest in them. These products work wonders and are not expensive at all. My favorite for applying directly onto feet is Dr. Scholl’s Probiotic Foot Spray.
There are multiple options on Amazon and other marketplaces that offer similar products. Use them on your shoes and also keep your shoes in the sun for some time. Sunlight is a natural killer of bacteria since bacteria multiply only in dark and moist places.
7) Having the Correct Closet Design
Although sweat and humidity are the main causes, shoe closet design also plays a vital role in the development of foul smell. You may be wondering what is the best design for a show closet that will help you get the shoe rack of your dreams.
So, here is the thing. Some shoe racks are covered with glass panels or doors. On the other hand, some are left open and ventilated.
A foul smell is less likely to accumulate in the ventilated shoe cabinet. Therefore, always look for a ventilated shoe closet or shoe rack. The foul smell in these closets diffuses to the surroundings.
FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions
Can we use bakhoor for avoiding a smelly shoe rack?
Yes, we can use bakhoor as a deodorizer for our shoe rack/shoe closet. Bakhoor is a lovely perfume, best for meditation and at home. But it is very oriental and very woody in nature.
How can we store shoes to prevent them from getting moldy?
You can prevent your shoes from getting moldy by putting silica gel packs inside of them. Silica gel packs can also be placed in the shoe closet. This method is harmless and cheap.
How do I prevent the dry rotting of my shoes in the closet?
Place a couple of silica gel packs inside your shoes to absorb moisture. You can also stuff it with acid-free paper. It will also prevent the dry rotting of shoes. Make sure that you don’t place your moldy shoes with other pairs of footwear as they may rot them.
Parting thoughts
This is all you need to know to say goodbye to your smelly shoe rack forever. In case I missed something, do let me know in the comments.
Also, don’t forget to check out some of our other interesting articles on how to eliminate bad odor from your home and how to make scented candles yourself! Making scented candles yourself can be a really useful skill as they can help you create a good aura of almost any place in your house.
