Does Putting A Ball Of Aluminum Foil In Your Shoes Eliminate Odors?

Many people struggle with stinky shoes and once the odor has set in it can be difficult to remove, especially if you wear the same pair every day. While some online sources claim that sticking a ball of aluminum foil inside your footwear can get rid of any unpleasant smells, there is no scientific evidence that the metal can absorb, eliminate, or neutralize odors. Aluminum foil is capable of containing smells, like when you use it to store leftovers, but you likely won't want to wear a pair of shoes lined with foil just to keep your sweat out of the material.

Balls of aluminum foil can help when trying to scrub the dirt from the outside of your shoes, but it might not be the best choice for getting rid of the stink that's typically caused by bacteria; however, this could be an interesting experiment to repurpose aluminum foil around the house and see if it's effective at all. Otherwise, you might consider using baking soda or vinegar to eliminate the unpleasant odor.

Because bacteria from your sweat is typically the culprit of smelly shoes, disinfecting them can be a great alternative to using aluminum foil. This is why vinegar is the budget-friendly solution for even the stinkiest of shoes, as it has some antibacterial properties. To utilize this common cleaner for odorous footwear, fill a spray bottle with half white vinegar and half water. Mist the solution onto your shoes and leave it to dry.

Alternatively, you could try to absorb the odors with baking soda. Baking soda has been known to have antimicrobial as well as deodorizing effects, which is why it can be so helpful for shoes. Simply spread the baking soda throughout the inside of your shoes and leave it there for at least one day before shaking it out. You could also pour some of the sodium bicarbonate into a breathable material like a coffee filter, tie it shut with a rubber band, and leave it in your shoe for 24 hours minimum.