Why Your Sandals Smell and How to Freshen Them

Sandals are a summer wardrobe staple. They are breathable, water-resistant, and go with just about every outfit. But there is a downside. Worn bare, they catch dirt, sweat, and dead skin, and eventually that mix turns sour.

If your favorite slides or gladiators smell off, do not toss them yet. A few household ingredients can pull the stink out and save the pair. The trick is matching the method to the material so you clean the shoe without wrecking it.

Whether you wear Birkenstocks, Tevas, Crocs, or leather slides, there is a fix here. Below is how to remove odor from sandals and keep them fresh all season.

Why Do My Sandals Smell?

The short answer is bacteria, and doctors even have a name for the chronic version: bromodosis. Sweat itself is odorless. The smell only starts once the bacteria living on your skin break that sweat down, and your feet give them plenty to work with. Each foot carries roughly 250,000 sweat glands, more per area than almost anywhere else on your body ⁽¹⁾.

A few bacteria do the work. Brevibacterium eats dead skin cells and gives off methanethiol, the compound behind that sharp cheesy note (it is the same genus used to ripen some washed-rind cheeses). Staphylococcus feeds on your sweat and produces isovaleric acid, which reads as vinegary or like strong blue cheese. Warm, damp, poorly aired sandals are the perfect home for both.

Here are the specific culprits contributing to the funk:

• Sweat and moisture: Feet carry a dense concentration of sweat glands. When that moisture gets trapped in the footbed, bacteria thrive. If you wear antibacterial soaps or use antiperspirant on your feet, you can limit the moisture source.
• Dead skin buildup: We shed skin constantly. In closed shoes, socks catch this. In sandals, that organic matter gets ground into the soles. This buildup rots over time and causes odors.
• Improper drying: If you wear sandals to the beach or lake, they get soaked. If they do not dry 100 percent before you wear them again, mold and mildew can grow in the crevices.
• Product residue: Sunscreen, bug spray, and body lotion transfer from your legs to your shoes. This sticky residue traps dirt and bacteria against the material.
• The material: Synthetic materials like rubber or low-quality plastic are not porous. Sweat sits on top rather than evaporating. Natural materials like cork and leather breathe better but require more care.

How To Remove Odor From Sandals

Ready to deodorize? We have compiled eight effective ways to refresh your footwear. We recommend starting with the least abrasive method and working your way up for stubborn smells.

With Baking Soda and Vinegar

This is the gold standard for DIY cleaning. The acidity of the vinegar cuts through grime, while the baking soda acts as a mild abrasive and deodorizer.

1. Prep the shoe: Wipe the sandals with a damp cloth to remove loose dirt.
2. Mix the paste: Combine one part baking soda with two parts distilled white vinegar. It will fizz. Mix until you have a paste.
3. Scrub: Use an old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to apply the paste. Scrub in small circles, paying attention to the toe and heel areas.
4. Wait: Let the paste sit on the sandals for at least a few hours, ideally overnight.
5. Rinse: Wipe away the dried paste with a clean, damp cloth.
6. Dry: Let the shoes air dry completely in a cool, shaded spot.

With Essential Oils

If you want to kill bacteria and leave a pleasant scent, essential oils are powerful. Tea tree oil is particularly effective because it is naturally antifungal and antibacterial.

1. Choose your oils: Grab tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, or clove leaf oil. You can use one or a blend.
2. Apply: Put a few drops of oil onto a cotton ball. Rub it thoroughly over the footbed and straps.
3. Rest: Let the oils soak in and dry overnight. Do not rinse them off.

With Soap and Water

Sometimes simple is best. This method works wonders for waterproof materials like rubber flip-flops, Crocs, or Tevas. Do not use this on suede.

1. Pre-rinse: Rinse loose mud off the sandals in the sink or with a hose.
2. Mix: Fill a bucket or sink with warm water and a teaspoon of dish soap (like Dawn).
3. Scrub: Dip a soft brush or cloth into the soapy water. Scrub the sandals vigorously. If you have strappy sandals, slide the straps back and forth to clean hidden areas.
4. Rinse: Rinse with cool water until no soap bubbles remain.
5. Dry: Towel dry them immediately, then let them air dry away from direct heat.

With UV Rays (Sunlight)

UV rays are a natural disinfectant. Sunlight kills mold and bacteria effectively. However, this method requires caution.

High heat can shrink memory foam and warp rubber. Intense UV rays can also fade leather and dry it out. Use this method for short bursts only.

Place your clean, damp sandals outside in direct sunlight for 30 to 60 minutes. This is usually enough time to zap surface bacteria without melting the glue in your shoes.

With Antifungal Powder

If the smell is persistent, you might be dealing with a fungal issue (like athlete’s foot) rather than just dirty shoes. Medicated powders treat the source of the problem.

Here are a few top-rated options:

• Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Antifungal Spray Powder: This product absorbs wetness and destroys odors instantly. It is great for daily maintenance. spray it on your feet before putting your shoes on.
• Medline Remedy Phytoplex Antifungal Powder: This contains miconazole nitrate to treat fungal infections. It is helpful if you have itching or burning associated with the odor.
• Comfort Zone Miconazorb Antifungal Powder: A talc-free option that targets moisture and fungal growth. It helps keep the footbed dry, which prevents new smells from forming.

With Pantry Staples

You can make a DIY shoe deodorizer using items already in your kitchen. These methods are great for maintenance between deep cleans.

• Citrus peels: Place fresh lemon, lime, or orange peels directly on the footbed overnight. The citrus oils help cut through the funk and leave a fresh scent.
• Rubbing alcohol spray: This is a favorite quick fix. Fill a small spray bottle with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Spray the sandals generously. The alcohol kills bacteria on contact and evaporates quickly.
• Coffee grounds: Put dry, unused coffee grounds into an old sock or stocking. Tie it off and place it on the sandal. Coffee acts as a carbon filter to absorb bad smells.
• Vanilla extract: Put a few drops of vanilla on a paper towel and stuff it inside the sandal. It won’t kill bacteria, but it masks odors effectively for a day or two.

With Dryer Sheets

If you are traveling and don’t have cleaning supplies, use a dryer sheet.

1. Wipe: Scrub the footbed firmly with the dryer sheet. The texture helps remove surface grime.
2. Wrap: Wrap the sheet around the sandal or stuff it under the straps and leave it overnight. The sheet absorbs odors and transfers its fragrance to the shoe.

In the Freezer

Freezing your shoes is a popular hack. While it does not kill all bacteria (some just go dormant), it can reduce the smell temporarily without using chemicals.

1. Bag them: Place your sandals in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Seal it tight so your ice cream doesn’t taste like feet.
2. Freeze: Leave them in the freezer for 12 to 24 hours.
3. Thaw: Take them out and let them come to room temperature naturally. Do not wear them while frozen, as materials become brittle in the cold and can crack.

How To Get Smells Out of Different Sandals

Not all materials are created equal. Using the wrong cleaner can ruin the finish of your favorite summer shoes. Here is how to handle specific types.

Rubber and EVA (Crocs/Flip-Flops)

Rubber is durable and water-resistant. You can be aggressive here. The baking soda and vinegar method is perfect.

You can also toss many rubber sandals right in the washing machine. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Air dry them afterwards; never put rubber shoes in the dryer.

Leather Sandals

Leather needs moisture to stay flexible, but too much water causes rot. Avoid soaking leather sandals.

Instead, use a damp cloth with a tiny amount of vinegar to wipe down the footbed. If the leather smells, sprinkle dry baking soda on it and let it sit dry overnight. Vacuum or brush it off in the morning.

For longevity, apply a leather conditioner after cleaning to keep the material soft and prevent cracks where bacteria can hide.

Memory Foam

Memory foam acts like a sponge. If you soak it, it takes forever to dry, which leads to mildew.

Clean memory foam with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not submerge them. If they are machine washable (check the label), use a mesh bag and air dry them in a breezy spot. Avoid direct sun, as heat degrades the foam quickly.

Birkenstocks (Cork)

Cleaning Birkenstocks requires care to protect the cork sealant.

For the suede footbed, use a suede brush to loosen dirt. If they stink, wipe them with a cloth dampened with white vinegar. Let them dry completely out of the sun.

If the cork looks dry or is crumbling, apply a cork sealer. This prevents sweat from soaking deep into the sole where you can’t reach it.

How To Keep Sandals From Smelling

Stop the stench before it starts. A little maintenance goes a long way in extending the life of your footwear.

• Rotate your shoes: Never wear the same pair of sandals two days in a row. They need at least 24 hours to dry out completely. If you wear them daily, moisture accumulates deep in the material.
• Exfoliate your feet: Dead skin buildup on the shoe is a major odor cause. Scrub your feet with a pumice stone or foot scrub in the shower to minimize shedding.
• Soak your feet weekly: A foot soak strips bacteria before they ever reach your shoes. Cleveland Clinic suggests dissolving about half a cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soaking for 10 to 20 minutes, or using two parts water to one part vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes once a week. Dry your feet fully afterward.
• Use foot deodorant: Apply a foot deodorant spray or antiperspirant stick to the soles of your feet before putting shoes on.
• Storage matters: Store sandals in a ventilated area. Do not pile them in a dark closet or leave them in a hot car. Airflow is your friend.
• Check your zinc intake: Some studies suggest a zinc deficiency can contribute to body odor ⁽²⁾. Consult your doctor about supplements if foot odor is a chronic issue for you.
• Newspaper trick: After wearing your sandals, stuff them with crumpled newspaper. The paper absorbs residual moisture and odors while the shoes sit in your closet.

FAQs

No More Stinky Sandals

The odor is never really the sandal’s fault. It is the bacteria feeding on trapped sweat and dead skin, so a lasting fix comes in two parts: kill what is already living in the footbed, then stop giving it the warm, damp home it needs to come back.

Match the cleaner to the material and you won’t trade a smell for a ruined pair. Soap and water or a baking soda paste handle rubber and Crocs, while suede, leather, and cork do better with a dry vinegar wipe than a soak.

Then work the prevention routine: rotate pairs so each dries a full 24 hours, exfoliate the dead skin the bacteria feed on, and store the sandals somewhere cool and airy. Do that, and one good deep clean should hold the funk off all season.