How to Freshen Used Shoes

Purchasing used shoes can be a great way to save money.  If you have bought any used shoes recently, you must be careful to freshen them so that there are no lingering odors or germs on the shoes before you wear them.

Things You'll Need:

• Alcohol


• Water


• Spray bottle


• Clean cloths


• Baking soda


• New shoe inserts


• Febreze

1. Remove any shoelaces if there are any and wash them in the washing machine in hot water.  This will clean the shoelaces as well as remove any germs.


2. Mix 1 tablespoon of alcohol and 10 tablespoons of water in a spray bottle and spray the mixture on the outside of your shoes.  Let the shoes set for 10 minutes and then wipe them clean with a damp cloth to remove the alcohol and any dirt on the shoes.  The alcohol will kill any germs that have accumulated on the shoes.


3. Sprinkle a generous portion of baking soda on the inside of the shoes to help remove any odors.  Let the baking soda sit overnight and then discard excess baking soda into the trash.  Use a damp cloth to remove any baking soda left in the shoes.


4. Find new inserts for your shoes if you are uncomfortable with the used ones already in the shoes.  This is also advisable if inserts are too worn, dirty or smelly.  Dr. Scholl's offers a variety of different inserts that are available for different foot problems and different shoe types.


5. Spray an odor reducing spray such as Febreze if you still smell an odor coming from the used shoes.  This can be done on occasion to refreshen the shoes if you still think that they smell.