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# **How to Make Your Shoes Smell Like New: The Secret to Freshness with Baking Soda or Vinegar**
With just one night of treatment, you can have your shoes smelling fresh and new again—and the best part? You won’t have to wash them nearly as often. Here’s how to banish odors and restore that “new shoe” freshness without the need for harsh chemicals or frequent cleaning.
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Before we dive into the solution, it’s helpful to understand why shoes develop odors in the first place. The primary cause of foot odor is **bacteria** and **fungus** that thrive in warm, moist environments—like the inside of your shoes. As your feet sweat throughout the day, they provide the perfect breeding ground for these odor-causing microbes. Over time, this leads to unpleasant smells that can cling to your shoes.
So, how can you eliminate the smell without having to wash your shoes every time they start to get funky? Let’s look at two simple ingredients—**baking soda** and **vinegar**—that work wonders.
### **Option 1: Baking Soda to the Rescue**
**What You Need:**
– **Baking soda** (about 1–2 tablespoons per shoe)
– **A small sock, old stocking, or fabric bag** (optional)