Warmer weather is on its way for much of the UK this week, and while this is great news for many, the soaring temperatures often result in smelly, sweaty shoes.
If you've been searching for ways to keep bad smells at bay, you're not alone - popular social media hacks for banishing your shoes of odour have amassed 72.4 billion views on TikTok as part of the #cleantok movement.
But it can be difficult to know which ones work the best and which ones aren't effective at all. To help people refresh their shoes in the midst of the warmer weather, an expert has revealed her top do's and don'ts in response to trending hacks.
Vittoria Wellen‑Bombelli, shoe expert and supply chain coordinator at wide fit shoe specialists Pavers, has given her lowdown on shoe-cleaning hacks - including one surprising trick involving a teabag.
This approach, adopted by users such as @marianamcdonalad, whose video has reached almost 3k likes, includes putting tea bags inside the soles of your shoes for 24 hours to soak up any unwanted scent.
Vittoria commented: "Do opt for a scented tea bag, such as green tea, to deodorise your shoes instead of regular tea bags, as this smell isn’t particularly favourable and you’re unlikely to notice any benefit.
"Avoid placing a tea bag inside of your shoes after a particularly wet walk, as this could actually cause the tea bag to leak inside of your shoes, leaving unwanted stains. Again this hack could provide some short term relief from a bad smelling shoe but it’s not a one stop method for a fresh transformation!"
Baking soda
Using household products seems to be a popular choice as it can be cost effective and convenient.
TikTokers such as @cleanthatup, with 15.8k likes for their video hack, suggest pouring 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a coffee filter, sealing it with a rubber band and placing the bundle inside of your shoes.
Vittoria said: Baking soda is a natural deodoriser that can absorb odours and bacteria so it’s no surprise that many TikTokers have chosen this approach to combat smelly shoes. If you’re not a coffee lover, you can use a dryer sheet or a sock to hold the baking soda in place inside of the shoe."
"I wouldn’t recommend pouring baking soda directly into the shoe itself without a protective layer. There’s a high chance you won’t be able to remove all of the baking soda particles - no matter how hard you try - but if you do go for this option, you’ll need to get used to chalky feet after the next few wears."
Freezing shoes
Instead of using a household product, some users are making use of existing appliances in their home to battle the stench.
Videos created by users such as @machereford, sporting nearly 6k likes, involve placing your shoes inside of your freezer for a couple of hours after use to effectively stop the smell in its tracks.
Vittoria said: "Ensure that you completely rid the exterior of your shoes of any dirt and place them into a breathable bag first, before placing them into the freezer. Similarly, be sure to clean the area in your freezer thoroughly after removing the shoes.
"This hack isn’t particularly hygienic so be careful when placing your shoes near any food products. On this hack's effectiveness, bacteria breeds in warmer conditions and so I would suggest trying this hack as a preventative measure, rather than as a cure for existing smells."
Bath bombs
For bath lovers, this hack is for you - a cost-effective method that has been described as ‘problem solving’. People have been breaking up their fragranced bath fizzers and placing the pieces inside of their shoes to cover up an unpleasant shoe aroma.
Vittoria explained: "Pop the bath bombs into a bag made from a breathable material, such as a woven cotton or mesh bag usually used to wash delicate items in before you place them inside your shoes. This will mean you avoid leaving any vibrant residue behind that could be quite tricky to remove."
"Don't buy bath bombs for the sole purpose of trying out this hack. Some bath bombs can be quite expensive and other more reliable products designed to eliminate odours, like baking soda, can be easier to get hold of and you’re likely to reap the fresh-smelling benefit for longer."
Citrus peels
Fruity scents can be favourable in perfumes, candles and diffusers, so using them to replace your shoe odours seems like an obvious solution.
@ivakaksa placed tangerine peels inside of their shoes in an attempt to swap the bad smells for a fruity scent, in a video amassing over 6k likes.
Vittoria said: "To avoid any unnecessary waste, only try the hack of using tangerine peels in your shoes if you are planning on eating the fruit inside. Alternatively, you can try other fruits like oranges or lemons if these are household favourites, but it’s unlikely that this hack will provide a long term solution."
"Don't forget about the peels inside of your shoes because the longer they are left, the more chance you have of finding a rotten peel fragrance instead of a fresh citrus scent and you'll go back to square one with an unappealing odour."
Cat litter
This viral trend entails pouring cat litter into your shoes and leaving it to draw out any unwanted smells.
Vittoria commented: "Cat litter can be a useful option to soak up moisture and also neutralise smells around the home. However, there are different types of litter that have different purposes, so do your research first before purchasing or trying out this specific hack."
"Don't leave your shoes in your cat's view whilst the litter is still inside, as your feline companion may mistake your shoes for the litter tray, then your shoes will definitely need a deep clean, so approach this hack with caution!"
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