To quickly neutralize shoe odor, remove the insoles and generously sprinkle baking soda or place a sachet of activated charcoal inside each shoe, leaving them overnight. Alternatively, spray the interior with a solution of 1 1 part white vinegar to 2 2 parts water and let them air dry.
Banish bad smells with baking soda
To use baking soda for your stinky shoes, sprinkle a generous amount inside, shake the shoes gently to ensure the powder covers the problem areas, and leave it to work overnight. Afterwards, tip the baking soda into the bin and vacuum the inside of your shoes to remove any residue.
The best way to rid your shoes of a smell is to wash them. For hand-washing, use a detergent and warm water to gently clean the inside and outside. Make sure you rinse thoroughly and allow the shoes to air-dry completely, Sinnathamby says.
To quickly clean smelly shoes, remove the insoles and wash them with soapy water or replace them. For the shoes, use a baking soda deodorizing method—sprinkle powder inside, let it sit overnight, and shake it out before wearing. Alternatively, wipe down the insides with a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar to kill odor-causing bacteria.
Sweat: During a run, our feet sweat to regulate body temperature. This moisture creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to odor. Bacteria: The bacteria naturally present on our skin feed on the sweat and dead skin cells trapped inside our shoes, producing foul-smelling byproducts as they multiply.
The best shoe odor eliminators depend on the root cause and severity of the smell. For active odor removal and moisture control, powerful sprays, antimicrobial inserts, and natural powders are the most effective solutions.
So while foot odor doesn't necessarily signify a health problem, in rare instances, it can be a sign of a medical issue. For example, hyperhidrosis, a condition in which one's sweat glands produce excessive sweat, can lead to excessive odor.
A spritz of white vinegar can fight bacteria and neutralize smells in shoes. Get a spray bottle and fill it with equal parts of white vinegar and water. Spray the product into the shoes and let them dry. Don't dampen the shoes too much.
Dryer sheets can temporarily mask unpleasant shoe odors by leaving behind a fresh scent, but they do not eliminate the underlying bacteria or moisture causing the smell.
Baking soda takes 8 to 24 hours to effectively deodorize shoes.
We can't be held responsible for any damaged shoes! Take out your insoles and laces, put the shoes in a mesh bag, then use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Let your shoes dry out fully before wearing them again. Hopefully the wash will dislodge anything causing the smells.
Baking soda and white vinegar: Make a paste by mixing baking soda with a little white vinegar and apply it to the soles with a toothbrush. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then wipe or rinse it clean. Magic eraser: Wet a magic eraser and scrub the soles to remove dirt and grime. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Yes, you can wash many shoes in the washing machine, provided they are made of fabric like canvas, nylon, or polyester. Always check the care label first, and never put leather, suede, rubber, or vinyl shoes in the machine, as water and detergent will ruin them.
Place balled up Newspaper (the usual kind, not the glossy page type) in them overnight. The paper absorbs moisture (works great for wet shoes as well) and odor. For a supercharged version of this, put kitty litter into a women's stocking and tie off (like a bean bag). GREAT at absorbing moisture and odor.
Yes, rubbing alcohol is an excellent and highly effective way to kill shoe odor. Shoe funk is caused by bacteria and fungi that thrive in dark, sweaty environments, and rubbing alcohol kills these odor-causing microbes on contact while evaporating quickly.
Baking Soda
Use baking soda. It's a natural deodorizer that absorbs smells and bacteria. There are two different ways to use baking soda to deodorize shoes: Mix ¼ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of baking powder, and ½ cup of cornstarch.
The 3-shoe rule is a popular travel packing hack that prevents overpacking by limiting your luggage to just three pairs of footwear. It ensures you are prepared for any occasion without weighing down your suitcase.
The characteristic "old age smell" is scientifically known as nonenal (or 2-nonenal). It is a chemical compound produced when the skin's natural oils and fatty acids break down and oxidize as we age.
The best shoe odor eliminator depends on the severity of the stink and whether you need to absorb moisture, mask the scent, or kill the bacteria causing the smell. The top-rated solutions are broken down by category below:
Shoes still smell after washing because embedded bacteria and moisture remain trapped in the fabric or insoles. To permanently eliminate the odor, you need to kill the bacteria at the source using targeted treatments like vinegar, baking soda, or a freezer, and ensure the shoes dry completely.
Yes, Febreze works, but only as a temporary fix. Because it relies on molecules that trap and lock odors rather than killing the underlying bacteria, the smell will return once the spray wears off.
While everyone's feet smell sometimes, some peoples' feet produce more stink. “If you wear shoes for 16 hours a day while working in a warm environment, your feet are more likely to smell than someone who works from home and spends most of their day barefoot,” Dr. Brouyette says.
To kill bacteria on your feet, wash them daily with an antibacterial soap and scrub between your toes. Follow up with a daily 15-minute foot soak—such as a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water, or strong black tea—and ensure your feet are completely dry afterward.
Men generally have stronger and more intense body odor than women. This difference is largely driven by biology, as men typically have larger sweat glands, thicker skin, and distinct skin bacteria profiles that react to create scent.