Tea Tree Shoe Spray
Fall sports are beginning and it’s nearly time to put away the sandals. You know what that means? Too many hours of shoe wearing which occasionally leads to a little stinky shoe funk. Many of the store bought shoe deodorizers and sprays leave me sneezing and sometimes they smell worse than the shoes. What’s up with that?! Luckily, I have a non-toxic solution for you! This is so super simple. This recipe for Tea Tree Shoe Spray combines only 3 ingredients: water, a clear alcohol and tea tree (melaleuca) oil. The alcohol acts as a disinfectant and antimicrobial. It may smell strong at first but the scent dissipates into the air soon after applying so your shoes won’t smell like you just stepped out of the bar. Being a natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial oil, tea tree oil is the power player in this handy little spray acting to eliminate the bacteria causing odors rather than just covering them up. You’ll want to mix this up in a glass spray bottle as the tea tree essential oil will degrade any plastics over time. Once mixed, simply spray inside your shoes and let them dry.
- 2 oz water
- 2 oz clear alcohol such as vodka or Everclear or rubbing alcohol
- 1 teaspoon tea tree oil
- In a 4 oz glass spray bottle, combine all ingredients. Shake to combine.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2014
Is this safe to use while pregnant? I’m assuming the alcohol will evaporate once drying? Never can be too safe!
Hi! Good question! Yes, the alcohol will evaporate as it dries and since you’re not applying to your body it’s a-ok for pregnancy.
Can pure tea tree oil be sprayed nside running shoes? TIA
I have done this before and it was fine 🙂 I would just not put tea tree oil undiluted directly on any skin as it can cause irritation.
Is rubbing alcohol fine or does it need to be stronger.
Hi! Yes, rubbing alcohol should also work. It’ll just have a different smell to it but that should evaporate after a little while.
I highly recommend making this in a well ventilated space or outside. It is very strong smelling.
Agreed! Especially if you are sensitive to strong smells. The alcohol smell will dissipate once sprayed and it’s not nearly as strong when sprayed on shoes. I should add that comment to the recipe 🙂 Thanks!
Is it alright to skip the rubbing alcohol and just use water and tea tree oil? Thanks!
Hi Irene, thanks for the question! The alcohol is a fairly important part of the solution as it is also antimicrobial which will kill the bacteria that causes odor. It also helps the tea tree oil mix in with the water better for a more unified solution. You could try it without it but I have a feeling it won’t work nearly as well 🙂
Hi, Kari! Thanks for getting back to me. I’ve purchased the rubbing alcohol and followed your instructions to the T – it worked wonderfully! I’m beyond pleased! Thank you for sharing this useful tip! <3
You’re so welcome! Glad you like it!
Will this work to kill a fungus that also lived in the toenail?
Hi Brenda! Yes, it should kill that type of fungus based on what I’ve read but if you’re treating the toenail directly, I’d use straight tea tree oil applied on the nail twice a day until the nail grows out enough to cut it off. Any residual fungus left in shoes should effectively be killed off with this spray. If the shoes are washable, I’d try washing them or if they’re waterproof (like flip flogs, crocs), you could rub tea tree oil directly into them as well rather than creating a mixed spray. It will be more effective used full strength for that sort of fungus I think.
does the tea tree oil bottle have to say “pure”? or just any tea tree oil work well?
Hi Edie! Good question… I would recommend 100% pure. It may not necessarily say that on the bottle but it should have tea tree oil as the ONLY ingredient. If not, it’s already been diluted and may not work as well in this application.
I recently got a pair of really nice nike airs from a thrift store but they’re mildewed, I think because whoever owned them stored them in a closet or something. Would this spray help rid them of the smell so I can wear them or are they beyond saving???
Hi! Mildew is fungal in nature and this spray does have anti-fungal properties so it should help. I would give it a try!
can this combination be used for the shoes when athletes foot has been diagnosed
That shouldn’t be an issue. Tea tree has anti-fungal properties so it actually could be good for it!