In summer, this is absolutely fine – the cupboard is full of strappy sandals and sliders. In winter, however, damp boots from country walks; sneakers that have come straight from the gym and the obligatory Wellington boots, resulted in this cabinet being a little pungent. To the extent that it is also starting to affect the scent of my hallway – even the best candles and best reed diffusers weren’t making a lot of difference. Cue me trying to find a way that would deodorize my shoe cupboard and make my home smell nice. Odor-eating insoles had no effect, nor did an air freshener. Just when I was thinking about alternative shoe storage ideas, I stumbled across this hack that solved my problem: storing broken bath bombs in my shoes. I tried it out and I haven’t looked back.
Why I store broken bath bombs in my shoes
Bath bombs are the perfect tool for making your shoes, as well as your shoe cupboard or boot room, smell great. Not only do the bath bombs absorb odors, but they also replace them with beautiful fragrances. It’s also easy and cost-effective, as one bath bomb will go a long way. If you don’t have a jar of bath bombs, you can buy a bath bomb for this specific task and roughly crush it with a rolling pin. One bath bomb will cater to about six pairs of shoes, depending on the size of the bath bomb (this organic pack of 50 (opens in new tab) will last a family well over a year). This hack is also recommended by artisan bath bombs and soap company Buck Naked Soap Company (opens in new tab). ‘We recommend a sachet of broken bath bomb added to the inside of the shoe. The baking soda in the bath bomb helps deodorize, while the essential oils add a fresh scent. Once the odor from the shoes is taken care of, the bath bomb sachets help keep the whole boot room smelling fresh and inviting.’
1. Baking soda in bathbombs deodorizes
Bath bombs are made from a mix of baking soda, cornstarch, Epsom salts, citric acid, coconut oil (or similar oils), and fragrant essential oils. This makes them the perfect deodorizer. Baking soda is an essential part of many cleaning tips and there are loads of ways you can clean with baking soda – it can be sprinkled on upholstery and carpets to absorb bad odors and then vacuumed up to make your home fresh. It also does the same thing with shoes as the baking soda (and the citric acid) absorb unwanted odors. You can sprinkle baking soda directly into your shoes, however, it can be hard to remove and may leave residue on your socks. That’s why bath bombs are the perfect solution. The Epsom salts and cornstarch will help to absorb moisture helping to dry out any damp shoes – Epsom salts are also antibacterial helping to keep your shoes clean.
2. Fragrance replaces bad odors
There’s a reason that you can identify a Lush (opens in new tab) shop halfway down the sidewalk – bath bombs are highly fragrant! They have been expertly created to fill your bathroom with their beautiful perfume and they have exactly the same effect on your shoes. Pick your favorite fragrance and your hallway will soon be full of its sweet perfume – much better than the scent of damp shoes.
3. Cost effective
Experts at Nike (opens in new tab) recommend this DIY recipe to keep your trainers smelling fresh. ‘Mix ¼ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of baking powder, and ½ cup of cornstarch. Put the mix in a pair of cotton socks or sprinkle the mixture in both shoes and leave overnight. For an extra scent booster, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.’ Since baking soda, cornstarch and essential oils are all components of bath bombs, Nike’s advice is based on the same science. However, it is more cost-effective to use bath bombs as you don’t need to buy lots of different ingredients, the scent will be stronger and it also doesn’t require you to sacrifice a pair of cotton socks which would quickly add up when you take into account the number of shoes you own.
