11 Home Remedies To Refresh Those Gym Sneakers You're Afraid To Go Near

So, you've gotten to the point where your sneakers smell so bad, they could probably raise your childhood pets from the dead.

It's fine. Really. No shame here.

God knows I've been there, especially as someone who would prefer never to wear socks -- which is, as far as unpleasant foot stench goes, the number one culprit.

Luckily for all, there are countless home remedies to treat the bacteria-laden moisture that's making your shoes go so, so sour.

1. Cat Litter's Not Just For Your Kitty

Stick a sock filled with cat litter in those stank-ass sneaks of yours.

Keep them in a ziplock bag in the freezer, and repeat at night.

The litter works as a deodorizer and a preventative measure before the reek has a chance to get worse.

2. Charcoal

Charcoal is pretty much everywhere these days when it comes to beauty trends, but it can also be great for smelly sneakers.

Wrap a few little blocks of charcoal in a tight cloth or old nylons, and shove it into your shoes.

Why charcoal? It's simply a natural deodorizer.

3. Get Your Sneakers Drunk

That's right, friends -- dunk those gnarly puppies in some alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol, that is, because it's great for killing bacteria.

Put some in a spray bottle to get right into the crevices of your shoes, and let them dry out in the sunshine.

4. Black Tea Bags

The tannins found in black tea bags help neutralize odors.

You actually want to stick them in boiling water first. Squeeze out excess liquid, and let dry just a little before placing them inside over night.

5. Put Your Sneaks In The Freezer

Put your reeking Reeboks in a ziplock bag and freeze them overnight.

Pro tip: It might be a good idea to make sure they aren't remotely close to anything edible...

6. Don't Throw Out Old Newspapers

Newspaper has been said to soak up smell and extra moisture (read: foot sweat).

It probably doesn't hurt to put a spritz of baking soda in there too, you know, for good measure.

7. Get To The Foot Of The Problem With Powders

Talcum, baby powder, corn starch, and baking soda are all methods for odor removal, both as a remedy for the foot itself, and to heartily dust into your sneakers.

Plus, there are so many ways to make unique homemade foot powders, if you're a DIY kind of person.

8. The Magic Of Essential Oils

Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties, and is often recommended as a treatment for skin issues, among other things.

Rubbing your feet with tea tree oil before bed is thought to be a good preventative practice when it comes to steering clear of bad odors.

Plus, soaking those crumpled newspapers you're keeping around with some eucalyptus, menthol, or tea tree oil helps to prevent and eliminate that stank.

9. Be Your Own Salt Bae

Salt the interior of your canvas sneakers to soak up moisture and refresh your sneaks.

10. Soak Your Sneakers In Vinegar

Vinegar is basically king of the home remedy game, a cleaning agent from the gods.

This method can also work if applied directly to the shoes (which should be dried out afterward in the sun or in the dryer), or the foot itself.

11. Use Some Dryer Sheets

Wear the dryer sheets inside your shoes.

This is an especially great tip for anyone who gets a little self-conscious about those unpleasant smells if they have to take their shoes off in public.

But be careful, as some dry sheets have gnarly chemicals, so go as natural as you can.

Oh, also, at the end of the day, don't be like me. Just wear some damn socks.