The 50p hack to stop sweaty shoes stinking up a storm during a heatwave, and you've already got some in the cupboard

The Sun

19-06-2025

THEY'RE commonly found in thousands of houses.
And if you're one of the people struggling with stinky shoes, they'll undoubtedly be even more smelly in the heat - as sweat and moisture increases.
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But there's a clever hack you can try to stop the disgusting stench - it'll cost you just 50p and you're guaranteed to already have some in the kitchen cupboard.
'Uncooked rice is a natural desiccant, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air, and in this case, from inside your shoes,' footwear expert Julian Nelson explained.
For even more successful results, you can add bicarbonate of soda and salt - as "the bicarb neutralises smells, while salt helps kill off bacteria".
While some might try and pop their shoes in the washing machine to get rid of the smell, it's not a good idea, A Fine Pair of Shoes founder Julian added.
"Washing shoes in a machine can ruin the structure and glue, especially in heat, but this is a dry solution that actually works," he said.
The rice hack is also gentle on footwear and reusable - meaning it's ideal for school shoes or leather work shoes.
And the clever trick is already doing the rounds online, and receiving rave reviews from those who have tried it.
'Fill a couple of clean socks with rice, salt and baking soda," one person wrote on Reddit's Life Hacks thread.
"Put them in smelly or damp shoes and by morning, they'll be dry and clean-smelling.
"Great for kids, easy to use."
Fashionistas have declared the 'chic girl shoes of the summer' - and you can pick them up for as little as 90p in Primark
While another added on Mumsnet: "I just today attempted 'natural odour absorbers' made out of old, odd socks with uncooked rice and bicarb, plus a few drops of essential oils.
"Tie the end in a knot and voila.
"I've put some inside shoes which are the pongiest… so far it smells nicer!"
And someone else asked on Facebook how to clean shoes that "smell like death" - to which another replied: "Pack socks full of rice, sew them shut and stick one into each shoe.
"The rice absorbs the moisture."
'It's simple, affordable and surprisingly effective, and in this week's heat, it's the best way to keep shoes fresh without resorting to harsh chemicals," Julian added.