How to deodorise your sheepskin boots

Genuine sheepskin boots are best worn without socks. Sheepskin is a naturally thermostatic material, meaning it will regulate the temperature of your feet according to the weather outside. In cold weather the sheepskin will trap your body heat and in warmer weather it will draw any perspiration away from your skin and allow air to circulate keeping your feet cool. If you wear socks the sheepskin will not be as effective. However, not wearing socks can leave your boots rather smelly after a while. That is why it is just as important to care for the interior as the exterior surface of your boots. Here is how to deodorise your boots using two common household products: baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and cornflour. It is a very simple method and only takes a few minutes so there’s no excuse for smelly boots!

First of all mix two tablespoons each of baking soda and cornflour in a bowl. If you happen to have any essential oils at home you might like to add a few drops. Oils are not essential for this as baking soda is already a natural deodorant; they simply add a pleasant perfume. I find lavender essential oil particularly good for this. Be careful not to add too much, though. The mixture must remain dry, not damp and clumpy.

Tip some of the mixture into one boot and some into the other. Don’t tip it all in straight away. You might not need it all and you can always add more as you go along. Carefully shake each boot so that the mixture covers as much of the insole as possible. A good way of doing this is to tip the boot backwards and forwards from toe to heel. If feel you need to tip the boot upside down, make sure you place your hand over the part where your foot goes in, otherwise you could end up making a mess.

Put your boots aside and allow them to stand overnight. The next day, take your boots outside and shake them vigorously making sure that all of the baking soda and cornflour falls out. If you can’t get it all out, do not worry. These are natural products so won’t cause any damage to your boots or socks.

Your boots should now smell fresh and lovely!