It happens to everybody at one time or another, their shoes begin to grow microorganisms in them, causing the most horrible smell anyone could ever imagine. Every step you take emits that awful odor, and even when you take your shoes off, they have a way of stinking up the entire room you left them in. What's a person to do, go barefoot all the time?

Since we know going barefoot is not a practical solution, we need to find a viable alternative. While some of those over the counter deodorizers might be great for covering up smells, they don't always work to eliminate the root of the problem. In fact, they often work just fine while your shoes are dry, but the minute your feet being to sweat, bacteria wakes up and automatically responds to the warm dampness of them, producing that menacing smell again. Here are a few inexpensive ideas that have been used by people who needed to know for eliminating that foul smelling foot odor in your shoes once and for all.

*Cat litter: If you can use this product to hide odors from your cat's eliminations, it makes sense that something in it works very well. Simply wrap some cat litter in a few layers of nylon, insert it in your shoes, and leave it alone for a few hours or overnight to kill microorganisms that like to grow and breed the soles of those shoes.

*Freezer: Some bacteria and microorganisms have a deadly aversion to cold temperatures. Put your shoes in freezer bags so they don't get wet, and leave them in the freezer overnight. In the morning, set them out in the sun or leave them near the fireplace to bring to room temperature before wearing.

*Paper: If your shoes aren't too smelly, you can wad up paper to help dry them out after use. Microorganisms prefer moist places, and the paper prevents this. Just put paper in your shoes every night after you are done wearing them.

*Rubbing alcohol: Alcohol is used to disinfect medical tools in the doctor's office. It dries quickly and eliminates odors. Soak some cotton and wipe out the inside of your shoes. Then let them air dry.

*Baking soda: It has been called the natural odor eater. Sprinkle a light coat of baking soda in your shoes regularly, and if it doesn't bother you, don't shake it out when you are ready to wear them. It will keep your feet fresher too during use when you sweat. For really bad cases of odors, use lots of baking soda and leave it in your shoes overnight. Then shake it out in the morning.

*Washing machine: Give your shoes a good thorough cleansing in the washing machine. Athletic shoes, cloth shoes, and slippers handle this very well. Be sure to use a mild soap that won't harm their color. Then let them air dry.

Getting rid of shoe odor using one or all of these methods saves money, works quickly, and is easy to do. Buying new ones is always fun to do, but it can get expensive in a hurry. Besides, it's hard to throw away your favorite pair of comfortable shoes over something as natural as them taking on a life of their own. Simply solve the problem and walk with ease from now on.

Learn more about this author, M. J. Joachim.
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