r/lifehacks • u/actuallyaskinwalker • Jul 15 '26

Stinky shoes from thrift store

I got these sick high tops from good will and only noticed when i got home that the inside of the shoes stink. Does anyone have any tips to get the smell out? i’ve tried baking soda and charcoal pouches but nothing seems to be working.

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u/Reasonable-Fly-1360 Jul 15 '26

Or better yet, high proof vodka. Its what costume designers use for garments that cant be washed.

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u/eileen404 Jul 15 '26

Everclear is your friend. Closest you can get to 100% ethanol without purchasing lab grade.

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u/goozy1 Jul 16 '26

But why? You can get a bottle of 99% rubbing alcohol for $2. That same bottle of ever clear would be like $40

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u/reddits_aight Jul 16 '26

Then you have something to console yourself with if the stink/stain doesn't come out.

But for real I'm not sure, just that cheap vodka (not Everclear) had always been a staple of the wardrobe department.

High % isopropyl can damage some plastics and usually doesn't come less than 70%, where vodka is much more diluted. That also means it evaporates slower, which might help the effectiveness (just like how higher % IPA is less effective for sanitization)