8 Best Shoe Deodorizers That Help “Shoe-Away” Funky Smells

Written by Shebna V, Health & Fitness Coach
Updated on Feb 07, 2024
best shoe deodorizers
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Our feet stay trapped inside our shoes for a huge part of our day — resulting in sweat, discomfort, and a consequent funky smell that we dread so much! For this, the best shoe deodorizers come to our rescue and fight bad odors for fresh and clean feet. Some of these products also have other benefits, such as preventing cracked heels, curbing foot inflammation, soothing itchiness, and keeping the feet moisturized.  

Our research indicates that the need and awareness concerning footwear odor eliminators have increased more than it was in the past few decades. The prime reason is that people have started to realize how foul smell accumulating in their feet will gradually lead to problems like bromodosis and athlete’s foot. Moreover, having a shoe odor eliminator as a part of our grooming essentials not just elevates a person’s confidence, but also eradicates unnecessary anxiety and also helps preserve footwear shelf life. 

Besides, owing to the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of these shoe deodorizers, you can prevent fungal infection in your feet and also improve the shelf-life of your shoes. Given below are a few recommendations of the best odor-eliminating products for your shoes that will help keep your feet happy. 

8 Best Shoe Deodorizers

This shoe deodorizer spray by Elite Tackle is a helpful aid when it comes to tackling the unwanted smells emitted from your footwear. The spray is a splendid shoe freshener with the goodness of 7 essential oils and 11 magical herbs. It contains the goodness of coconut oil, peppermint, and tea tree, widely renowned for their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Adding on, the properties of aloe vera, which is a treasure trove of vitamin E and antioxidants, Overall the product helps to nourish the feet and make your skin supple. 

 

Pros
  • Safe for children
  • Sweat-resistant
  • Has a fast-acting formula
  • Minty and pleasant scent
Cons
  • Slight burning sensation
  • Best Organic Odor Eliminator

    Marsheepy Charcoal Deodorizer Shoe Bags - Pack of 12

    Marsheepy Charcoal Deodorizer Shoe Bags - Pack of 12
  • Each mini shoe deodorizer bag in this pack of 12 by Marsheepy is made with bamboo charcoal that helps eliminate unpleasant odors by absorbing impurities inside your shoes. These bags work for all kinds of footwear, irrespective of the material. In addition, they can also be used inside your closets, gym bags, etc. too, to keep them fresh. Based on our first-hand experience, we noticed that it prevents the congestion of moisture within the shoe interiors and does not strip off the feet’s skin of its natural oils.  Besides, the product is available in different sizes of packaging and colors.

     

    Pros
    • Eco-friendly
    • Size can be customized
    • Great for maintaining hygiene
    • Gives long-lasting freshness
    Cons
    • Takes a long time to activate itself
  • ALL NATURAL FOOT SENSE AND SHOE POWDER

     ALL NATURAL FOOT SENSE AND SHOE POWDER
  • The search for a shoe deodorizer that uplifts your mood is right here because this shoe powder by all nature provides a citrusy awakening essence due to the presence of lemon powder. It also contains the pleasant scent of lavender and cinnamon, which also have anti-bacterial and redness-soothing properties. It also has an impenetrable defence system composed of zinc oxide that protects the skin from direct sunlight (1). The formulation not just shields the skin against redness but also acts as a lubricant between the shoes and feet; it reduces friction and makes it less likely for you to get a shoe bite. 

    Pros
    • All-natural ingredients
    • Reduces stickiness
    • Non-cakey formula
    • No artificial fragrance
    • Best suited for athletes
    Cons
    • Not for Sensitive skin
  • Best for Stilletos

    Odor-Eaters ODOR-DESTROYING INSOLES

    Odor-Eaters ODOR-DESTROYING INSOLES
  • Another superstar product to fight unwanted smells with the undefeatable composition of charcoal, zinc oxide are these disposable shoe inserts by Odor Eaters. For people who wish to have a certain level of consistency concerning the smell of their feet, this product is a straightforward pick. Justifying its name the product devours impurities from your shoes without leaving any residue. 

    These insoles regulate the production of excess sweat in your skin while preventing moisture congestion. Constructed with breathing polymers, these insoles provide extra cushioning that helps reduce dampness around the feet. This shoe odor eliminator is thus an excellent choice for sensitive skin. 

     

    Pros
    • Removable and washable
    • A great choice for athletes
    • Super-absorbent fabric
    • Prevents infections
    Cons
    • Size may be too big for some.
  • Best Multi-purpose Deodorizer

    ODOR DROPS Shoe Deodorizer Balls

    ODOR DROPS Shoe Deodorizer Balls
  • A sty-like smell being emitted from your feet can draw unwanted attention, which is when these shoe deodorizer balls by Odor Drops can come to the rescue as a messiah. The product comes in the form of playful balls and is thus easy to insert in the tiniest corners of your household. These are made up of stretchable, and impenetrable materials.  Each ball contains two twistable hemispheres that let out a pleasing smell when twisted.  We have found from using the product that it is a great choice for regular use.

     

    Pros
    • Works as a car freshener
    • Can be closed when not needed.
    • Biodegradable
    • Can eliminate tough odor from Trash Cans.
    Cons
    • Scent is transient
  • Best Eco-friendly Option

    SHOE NINJA KICKS OUT STINK REUSABLE NATURAL SHOE DEODORIZER

    SHOE NINJA KICKS OUT STINK REUSABLE NATURAL SHOE DEODORIZER
  • These shoe odor removers make sure you experience the same excitement every time you slide into your footwear just the way you had experienced it on the day of purchase. Based on our first-hand experience, we found out that it not only eliminates foul smells but also prevents dampness in your shoes, to keep your feet fresh. To witness the product's true potential we suggest recharging it once in sunlight before use, post which they tend to provide a long-lasting freshness for up to a year. They are ideal for wearing during the rainy season and thus justify its Ninja Name. 

     

    Pros
    • Comes with a pair of nail cutters
    • Fair pricing
    • Eco-friendly
    • Tear-proof
    • Recyclable
    Cons
    • Not helpful for sweaty feet
  • Best Portable Option

    Sufuny SHOE DEODORIZING BALLS

    Sufuny SHOE DEODORIZING BALLS
  • For people who are searching for alternatives to the camphor ball size, we bring you the Sufunny Shoe Deodorizer balls. These miniature balls work as ideal odor eliminators to spruce and refresh their sneakers, pointed statelets, and even clogs. Each ball works splendidly to freshen closed environments like wardrobes, sneakers, cupboards and gym bags. Just twist these sneaker balls and watch them transform the environment within your footwear magically. 

     

    Pros
    • Long-lasting fragrance
    • Eco-friendly
    • No synthetic material used
    • No artificial fragrance
    Cons
    • Scent is short-lasted
  • Best Pet-friendly Pick

    onyourlife- SOLID SHOE DEODORIZER - 2 Pieces

      onyourlife- SOLID SHOE DEODORIZER - 2 Pieces
  • We are here to make your work a little easier as we bring to you a holistically formulated shoe freshener by an on-your-life shoe deodorizer that contains an organic and skin-friendly fragrance. The product is manufactured with natural essential oils of pine, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, juniper berry, spearmint and rosemary and comes in a breezy mountain-like scent. It tends to provide a soothing, cooling experience within the shoes during summers and a warm fuzzy feeling during winters. Adding on, it is friction-proof and thus a great choice for all seasons. 

     

    Pros
    • No alcohol
    • Leaves no residue
    • Lightweight
    • Skin-friendly
    • Antiperspirant
    Cons
    • Strong fragrance

    The market might be flooded with innumerable products that claim to battle shoe odor, choosing the most efficient one out of all the alternatives can be a time-consuming task hence we bring to you a few factors to assist you with your purchase. 

     

    How to Choose the Best Shoe Deodorizer?

    1. Composition of the Ingredients: The composition of the ingredients plays a vital while selecting a shoe deodorizer, hence whenever we opt for a shoe freshener we must make sure the product is free from sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil and alcohol. A shoe deodorizer should be made of natural ingredients like activated carbon, charcoal to absorb moisture and essential oils like tea tree, lavender and neem oil to fight the bacterial invasion. 
    2. Longevity of the Product: The second most important factor after its formulation is the ability to retain its longevity. The durability of a product should not be limited only to a couple of uses and it should be able to sustain for a long time and help eradicate all favourable conditions necessary for the survival of bacteria and emission of foul odor. 
    3. Moisturising Agents: The function of a shoe deodorizer is to prevent congestion of moisture within the shoe interiors and prevent the formation of foul odour but at the same time it should not dehydrate the skin and cause heels to crack hence it should also contain moisturising agents like Aloe Vera, olive oil and jojoba oil extracts. 

    Conclusion 

    Smelly shoes should not be a factor that holds us back from our next outdoor adventure, a trip to the gym or a long, leisurely walk.  Hence, it is important to use odor eliminators on a frequent basis to not only ward off precarious bacteria but also to act as a lubricant to prevent friction between feet and shoes. The above mentioned products are some of the best shoe deodorizers that help prevent moisture clogging. Do check out your buying guide before making a purchase. Happy shopping! 

     

    FAQ's

    What works best to deodorize shoes?
    A proper shoe deodorizer with appropriate moisturizing properties tends to work best to deodorize shoes and facilitate aeration.
    Does baking soda stop shoes from smelling?
    The odour-eliminating properties of baking soda are short-lived and it also tends to cause problems like itchiness, redness, flaking and scaling of the skin.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Shebna, the author of this article, claims that shoe deodorizers have the power to eliminate unpleasant odors that emanate from footwear. They come in different forms like sprays, sachets, and insoles that are infused with odor-fighting agents like essential oils or charcoal which keep the shoes fresh. She tested all the products and found one eco-friendly variant that caught her attention. The Shoe Nijna Kick Out Stink Reusable Natural Shoe Deodorizer got rid of foul smells and prevented dampness within the footwear. Additionally, it’s recyclable, tearproof, and is priced fairly. 

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Pinkvilla to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Shebna V
    Health & Fitness Coach

    Shebna is a content creator with an experience of over 6 years and likes to delve into all things health and fit More