The Kitty Litter Hack That Gives Your Smelly Shoes A Serious Refresh

Nothing ruins an outfit quite like an unpleasant odor wafting up from the shoes you're wearing. Whether it is caused by strenuous workouts, long days on your feet, or just general wear, that tell-tale funk can be an ongoing problem. But before you toss out your beloved sneakers or stylish boots, consider this simple solution that is probably already in your house: kitty litter. Yep, it may sound like an unconventional hack, but this humble household item holds the key to banishing shoe stench (and honestly any other stink, too).

The secret to this kitty litter hack's effectiveness lies in the litter's highly absorbent properties. Most types of litter, especially those made from bentonite clay, are designed not just to soak up moisture but also trap odors at a molecular level. It works the same way to neutralize pet smells (if you know, you know) for locking away bacteria from strong odors. 

In fact, you can even use kitty litter to keep your closets smelling fresh — it is that effective. By creating a super dry, inhospitable environment for bacteria, kitty litter pretty much starves the problem at its source, then leaves your shoes smelling clean and fresh. It also has a porous structure that gives it a large surface area, which makes it easy for it to draw out and hold onto funky smells.

What we love best about this hack is that it is straightforward and requires minimal effort. The best method is to create a "litter sachet." Simply take an old, clean sock, fill it with about 1/2 cup of unscented kitty litter, and tie the top securely to create a small pouch. If you don't have a spare sock, a coffee filter or even a nylon stocking will work just as well. These porous packets are perfect because they fit into any shoe and make maximum contact with the interior, allowing them to get to work neutralizing odors at the most concentrated point. Plus, the sock acts as a convenient container, preventing litter from spilling directly in the shoe and creating a mess (although you are free to just fill your shoe up with litter, as well).

Once your litter sachets are ready, place one in each shoe you want to zip away smells from, and push them all the way to the toe area. For a serious refresh, it is best to leave the sachets in place overnight for a minimum of eight hours. This gives the litter ample time to work its magic, neutralizing the funk and pulling out any residual moisture. The next morning, simply remove the sachets and note how much better your footwear smells, especially if you have a crowded shoe storage space. You can reuse the litter a few times before it loses its effectiveness. This simple hack breathes new life into even the most well-worn and smelly shoes; just hope your cat doesn't mind you using some of their litter.