Get Rid of Shoe Odor: 14 Methods That Actually Work

Nobody wants to be the person whose shoes announce themselves before they do. Locker-room funk, a musty gym bag, that sour cloud that rises when you kick your sneakers off by the door: shoe odor is common, and the fix is a lot simpler than tossing your favorite pair.

Here is what is actually happening. Your feet sweat into the shoe, and colonies of bacteria feed on that sweat and on dead skin, giving off the sour, cheesy gases you smell ⁽¹⁾. Get rid of the bacteria, or dry out the damp home they live in, and the smell leaves with them.

We rounded up 14 methods that do exactly that, from a two-minute vinegar spray to a full wash, plus the daily habits that stop the funk from coming back.

How To Remove Smell From Shoes

The most thorough fix is to wash the shoes outright. This works best for canvas, nylon, polyester, and cotton sneakers because it flushes the sweat out of the fibers where surface sprays cannot reach.

• Time: 1-2 hours.
• Difficulty: Easy.

What You’ll Need

• Washing machine.
• Soft-bristled brush.
• Mild laundry detergent.
• Bowl and large basin.
• Mesh laundry bag.
• Towels.

1. Remove Excess Dirt

Scrub the dry shoes gently with a brush to knock off caked-on mud or dust. Clap the soles together outside to shake loose any debris caught in the treads.

2. Soak Laces and Soles

Take out the laces and the removable insoles. Place them in a basin with warm water and a teaspoon of detergent.

Let them soak for about 20 minutes to lift the odor. If they are especially funky, give them a light scrub with your brush. Rinse them well and set them aside to air dry.

3. Wash the Shoes

Place your shoes inside a mesh laundry bag or an old pillowcase tied shut, then put them in the washer.

Add two old towels to the drum. This balances the load and stops your shoes from banging loudly against the sides. Use cold water, a gentle cycle, and a small amount of mild detergent.

4. Air Dry

Never put shoes in the dryer, because the heat can warp the glue and rubber. Instead, set them in a breezy, shaded spot and stuff them with paper towels so they hold their shape while they dry.

How To Remove Smell From Shoes Without Washing

If you cannot wash your shoes, or you just need a quick fix, these 13 home remedies use common household items to neutralize the funk without soaking your sneakers.

With Vinegar

Vinegar is a mild acid, so it lowers the pH inside the shoe to a level the odor bacteria cannot survive. It is excellent for sanitizing the interior.

1. Mix: Combine equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray: Mist the inside of the shoes. Do not soak them; aim for a light coating.
3. Dry: Wipe the interior with a clean cloth after 10 minutes and let them air dry completely.

With Baking Soda

Baking soda is the classic odor absorber, and there is real chemistry behind it. The waste that odor bacteria give off is acidic, and baking soda is alkaline, so it neutralizes that smell rather than just covering it. It also pulls moisture out of the fabric. One caution: avoid it on leather, which it can dry out. According to Arm & Hammer, giving the baking soda up to 24 hours to work pays off for an especially strong odor.

1. Sprinkle: Pour a generous amount of baking soda into the offending shoes.
2. Wait: Let it sit overnight, up to 24 hours for a strong odor.
3. Clean: Dump the powder in the trash and vacuum out the leftovers.

With Sunlight

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are natural bacteria killers ⁽²⁾. If your shoes are damp and musty, put them outside in direct sun for a few hours to dry and disinfect at once.

However, if you have suede shoes or leather, keep them in the shade. Direct sun can fade and crack natural skins.

With Essential Oils

Essential oils mask odors and fight bacteria at the same time. You can drop them directly onto the insoles or mix them into your vinegar spray.

1. Select: Choose strong oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, or clove.
2. Apply: Put a few drops on a cotton ball.
3. Wait: Tuck the cotton ball into the toe of the shoe and leave it overnight.

With a Bar of Soap

This is an old-school trick. The soap leaves a clean scent and its porous texture absorbs some of the odor. Simply drop a dry bar of soap into each shoe and leave it overnight.

Just make sure you don’t use that specific bar for showering afterward.

In the Freezer

You might hear that freezing kills bacteria. Technically it only puts them to sleep, but the method can still cut the smell temporarily if you need a quick fix before heading out.

1. Bag it: Put your shoes in a sealed gallon-sized Ziploc bag.
2. Freeze: Leave them in the freezer overnight.
3. Thaw: Let them warm up naturally. Pair this with another method, like baking soda, for better results.

With Kitty Litter

Clean kitty litter is designed to absorb moisture and neutralize heavy odors, which makes it a natural fit for sneakers.

1. Fill: Pour clean litter into two old socks and tie them shut.
2. Place: Stuff the socks into your shoes.
3. Wait: Leave them overnight to draw out the moisture.

With Citrus Peels

Don’t throw away your orange or lemon peels. The natural oils in the skin have a fresh scent that can cover a musty smell.

Place fresh peels inside your shoes for 24 hours. It won’t kill a heavy bacterial colony, but it works well for a light refresh.

With Rubbing Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is a powerful disinfectant that kills the bacteria causing the smell almost on contact.

1. Prepare: Fill a spray bottle with 70% rubbing alcohol.
2. Spray: Pull out the insoles and mist both them and the inside of the shoes lightly.
3. Dry: Let everything air dry. Alcohol evaporates quickly, so this is one of the fastest methods.

With Tea Bags

Black tea contains tannins, which are effective at killing bacteria and reducing sweating ⁽³⁾.

1. Activate: Steep a few tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes.
2. Cool: Remove the bags and let them cool completely.
3. Apply: Place the damp bags in your shoes for an hour.
4. Dry: Remove the bags and wipe away any excess liquid.

With Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which neutralizes odors rather than just masking them ⁽⁴⁾.

Fill two socks with dry, unused coffee grounds and tie off the ends. Stuff them into your shoes and leave them overnight. By morning your shoes smell like your favorite cafe.

With Newspaper

If your shoes smell because they are damp, newspaper is your best friend.

Crumple up black-and-white newspaper and stuff the shoes tightly. The paper absorbs moisture fast. Change it every few hours for really wet shoes until they are dry.

With Odor Removers

Sometimes home remedies aren’t enough. If you want a dedicated product, here are strong options for different needs:

• FunkAway Odor: Best for heavy-duty sports gear. It uses a specialized compound to break down odor molecules rather than perfume over them, so it is aggressive on sweat smells.
• Rocket Pure Foot & Shoe Deodorizer Spray: Best natural option. It uses mint and eucalyptus oils to cool and deodorize, which makes it great for runners who want to spray their feet and their shoes.
• NonScents Shoe Deodorizer: Best for low-maintenance people. These pouches simply sit in your shoes when you aren’t wearing them and work continuously to keep the air inside fresh.
• Lumi Outdoors Natural Shoe Deodorizer: Best maximum-strength natural spray. If you hate chemical smells but have a serious odor problem, this extra-strength essential oil blend hits hard.
• Air Jungles Odor Deodorizer Balls: Best budget option. These small balls fit anywhere, including gym bags and lockers. Just twist to open the vents and toss them in.

How To Prevent Shoes From Smelling

Removing the smell is half the battle; keeping it away is the other. Build these habits to stop the stink before it starts.

• Rotate your footwear: Give each pair a full 24 hours to dry out between wears, so bacteria never get a permanently damp home.
• Give shoes a rest: According to the NHS, avoid wearing the same pair more than 2 to 3 days in a row, since staying damp invites athlete’s foot.
• Choose the right socks: Cotton holds moisture against the skin. Switch to wool or synthetic wicking blends to keep feet dry.
• Wash your feet daily: A quick rinse isn’t enough. Scrub with soap, paying attention between the toes where moisture and bacteria collect.
• Exfoliate your feet: Bacteria feed on dead skin as much as on sweat, so a weekly pass with a pumice stone or foot scrub removes part of their food supply.
• Use absorbent insoles: Charcoal or cedar insoles manage moisture inside the shoe while you walk.
• Store shoes correctly: Keep them in a cool, ventilated spot. A dark, humid closet is a bacteria factory.

What To Do About Sweaty Feet

If your shoes smell, it is usually because of sweat. Some foot sweat is normal, but heavy sweating (hyperhidrosis) gives bacteria far more to feed on. According to the Cleveland Clinic, each foot has about 250,000 sweat glands that can produce roughly a pint of sweat a day.

Doctors recommend washing feet daily with antibacterial soap and drying them thoroughly afterward, since fungus loves damp toes. You can also apply an antiperspirant to the soles of your feet before bed to block the sweat glands, the same way you would under your arms.

Hydration matters too. Drinking enough water helps regulate your body temperature, so your body sweats less to cool down.

FAQs

Adieu, Odors!

You now have the full toolkit to banish bad smells for good. Whether you reach for the deep clean of a washing machine or the two-minute fix of a vinegar spray, you don’t have to live with stinky shoes.

Remember that prevention is your best defense. Rotate your pairs, wear wicking socks, keep your feet clean, and the funk rarely gets a foothold in the first place.