After wearing your shoes for a while, you might start to notice them developing a bit of an aroma. That's where the best shoe deodorizer can help you beat foul scents to keep your sneakers smelling fresh for longer.
While the best sneaker protector sprays help your shoes remain visibly pristine, it's also important to maintain the insides of your shoes to reduce the build-up of bacteria over time. Taking preventative measures to reduce bacteria is the key to odorless footwear, especially when rocking your best sneakers in summer since sweat is almost unavoidable in warm weather.
That's why we've put together a list of top odor eliminators that should really be part of anyone's sneaker cleaning kit considering their price, reviews, and ingredients to prevent smells. These ingredients may include baking soda, for example, which helps to cover, absorb, and tackle bad odors to keep your shoes clean both inside and out.
Whether you're looking for a deodorizing spray, like this Lumi Outdoors Natural Odor Eliminator, or you're after something you can leave in your best running shoes, for instance, after training, then we've got you covered right here. Let's begin...
Best shoe deodorizers
- Lumi Outdoors Natural Odor Eliminator - best spray-on deodorizers
- Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz - top leave-in solution
- Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X - a great powdered deodorizer
- Odor-Eaters Insoles - excellent deodorizing insoles
- FunkAway Odor Eliminator Spray - a superb budget-friendly choice
1. Lumi Outdoors Natural Odor Eliminator
Best shoe deodorizer spray
The Lumi Outdoors Odor Eliminator distinguishes itself as an exceptional deodorizing solution, ideal for a wide range of shoes, sportswear, and gear, including top-tier football boots and casual canvas sneakers.
Formulated with natural essential oils like lemongrass, mint, and tea tree, this product harnesses the antibacterial and antifungal properties of organic ingredients.
Lumi Outdoors also boasts a long-lasting deodorizing effect, offering over 700 sprays per use. Its concentrated and potent formula ensures efficient odor removal without the need for excessive application.
So, if you're in search of a reliable deodorizing spray, the Lumi Outdoors Odor Eliminator stands as an optimal choice tailored to your specific needs.
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2. Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz
Best leave-in shoe deodorizer
These Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz balls look to be particularly useful if you're looking to eliminate bad smells across multiple pairs of shoes as they come as a six-pack.
Simply insert a pair of these deodorizers into your sneakers, then leave these baking soda-filled eliminators to remove bad smells for up to 60 days, according to Arm & Hammer.
Another benefit of opting for deodorizing balls is that they should be continuously reusable, meaning they can be used to keep your best running shoes fresh, for instance, over the course of an entire season.
Ultimately, these deodorizing balls look to be simple and effective to use, all for a relatively low cost.
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3. Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X
Best shoe deodorizer powder
Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X is said to destroy smells instantly and control the source for all-day protection against bad scents, which should come in handy if you're trying to keep your shoes smelling fresh after wearing them all day.
To achieve this, the powdered spray features SweatMax technology, which is designed to absorb sweat and freshen your feet.
It also contains baking soda to help turn acidic and strong alkaline molecules into neutral-smelling sodium salts to reduce their odor.
All in all, this deodorizer looks to be well worth considering if you're looking for something designed to work quickly and reduce moisture.
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4. Odor-Eaters Insoles
Best shoe deodorizer insoles
Similar to odor-eliminating balls, the Odor-Eaters Insoles are designed to be conveniently inserted into your shoes, working effectively to combat and eliminate unpleasant odors.
Infused with activated charcoal, baking soda, and zinc, these insoles utilise Odor-Eaters' advanced technology to not only trap odors but also reduce moisture, ensuring your shoes stay fresh and odor-free.
The exceptional durability of these insoles means they will last a significant amount of time before requiring replacement, providing long-lasting odor protection.
Each pack also contains three pairs of insoles, enabling you to simultaneously use them in multiple pairs of shoes, ensuring all your footwear stays pleasantly fragrant for an extended period.
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5. FunkAway Odor Eliminator Spray
Best budget shoe deodorizer
For those seeking an inexpensive yet highly effective solution to eliminate odors from their sneakers, look no further than the FunkAway Odor Eliminator Spray.
Available in two convenient sizes – a travel-friendly option and a larger pump spray – this product offers flexibility to suit your needs. Whether you're treating a single pair of shoes or a whole collection, FunkAway offers packs of one, three, four, or 12, ensuring you have an ample supply on hand.
What truly sets FunkAway apart is its innovative OM Complex, a specially crafted formula designed not just to mask odors, but to eradicate them at the source. This ensures long-lasting freshness that extends beyond a mere cover-up, making it an indispensable choice for maintaining the cleanliness of your footwear and activewear.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are usually a ton of questions that emerge when trying to figure out whether you need a shoe deodorizer. Don't worry though, because we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions right here.
What ingredients should you look for in a shoe deodorizer?
The best shoe deodorizers are ones that don't just cover up bad smells with fragrance, but ones that actually remove the cause of odors from their source.
The most commonly used ingredient to help achieve this is baking soda as it converts foul-smelling molecules into neutral-smelling salts.
Other common ingredients to look out for include zinc oxide, which minimises the growth of new bacteria, and activated charcoal, which absorbs all odors.
Are shoe deodorizers safe?
Most shoe deodorizers are safe when used according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. However, as with any product, it's important to use shoe deodorizers properly and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.
This includes sticking to the recommended amount and how frequently to use it. It's also important to keep shoe deodorizers away from children and pets, as some products may be harmful if ingested.
If you have sensitive skin or respiratory issues, you may want to choose a shoe deodorizer that is labeled hypoallergenic or fragrance-free. Additionally, if you have any concerns about the safety of a particular shoe deodorizer, you may want to consult with a healthcare professional before using it.
How often should you deodorize your shoes?
There's no set rule on how often you should apply or add a deodorizer to your shoes as it really depends on how often you wear them, and the kind of activities you perform whilst they're on your feet.
However, deodorizing your shoes right out of the box can be an effective way of building an initial protective layer against future odors.
If you regularly work out and train in a particular pair of trainers, then we'd recommend deodorizing them more often as you'll probably want to minimise odor and moisture as soon as possible from the build-up of sweat.