Sometimes no matter how much you air out your shoes, it just isn’t enough, especially when it comes to styles like exercise sneakers that are really put to work. Rather than holding your nose when you walk into your closet, why not use something that actually gets rid of the smell? You might want to try these Boot Bananas deodorizers that are less than $8 apiece, and users say this hack revives shoes that were once banished for stinking up whole rooms. Plus, they really look like bananas, which is so fun.
Instead of just masking bad smells like many sprays do, these boot fresheners absorb odors and remove dampness from sweat or rain. Made with an activated coconut charcoal, they have no harmful chemicals or fragrances to potentially irritate you, making them good for people with allergies or sensitive skin.
Boot Bananas Eco Active Charcoal Travel Shoe Deodorizers, 2-Pack
Since the deodorizers remove moisture, they’re also helpful for preventing mold or mildew buildup in your shoes—extending the life of your shoe, too.
“I’ve used [these] for my work boots that became completely waterlogged inside after I (unexpectedly) had to walk through a thigh-deep irrigation ditch for about an hour,” said one reviewer. “After multiple rounds on the boot dryer and new insoles, they were still pretty funky, and I was afraid they were ruined, but these [deodorizers] have really helped undo the smell!”
Shoppers are also impressed by how quickly the fresheners work. One person shared, “I spend 15 hours in my shoes when traveling for work, usually in stressful, high-traffic and warm conditions. Twenty thousand steps per day make for funky shoes. These eliminated the odor almost completely after one night and totally eviscerated any trace of stench after two nights of usage.”
And if you have teenagers, you’re in luck because this hack eliminates the worst of their sweat and odor. “Teen boys’ shoes are no joke. Eight-plus hours at school makes even the holiest of feet smell like 100-year-old eggs,” one customer commented. “It could be that I’m a bit overdramatic when he takes his shoes off after school. He places these in his shoes now when he comes back from school, and I can literally breathe again in my house.”
If the ease and simplicity of the Boot Bananas weren’t enough, they’re designed for long-term use to save you time and money from cleaning (and replacing) shoes. Each set can be used for up to 12 months. Between uses, just place them in the sunlight or near heat, like a radiator or heating vent, to give them a refresh. They’re compostable, too, so they’re overall much better for the environment than aerosol sprays.
Your nose will thank you for buying these Boot Bananas deodorizers. Browse more shoe fresheners and hacks from Amazon below.
Nonscents Shoe Deodorizers, 2-Pack
DryGuy Travel Dry DX Boot and Shoe Dryer
Shoe Ninja Shoe Deodorizers, 2-Pack
Sweatx Odor-Eliminator Deodorizer Spray
Moso Natural Shoe Deodorizer Inserts
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