Follow these steps to get bad smells out of your shoes and keep them from stinking again.
Have you ever slipped off your shoes and noticed an embarrassing, bad smell? Or maybe you’ve been about to put on a pair of your favorite shoes, but were almost bowled over by the stink?
Why Do My Shoes Smell Bad?
The reason your shoes stink is that your feet contain 250,000 sweat glands. When those glands get confined in a shoe, the sweat and warmth create a breeding ground for bacteria.
How Do I Stop My Shoes From Smelling?
To get rid of smelly shoes, you need to destroy the bacteria that causes the stink. You can do this by laundering them if they’re washable. Shoe deodorizing sprays or powders, like the homemade versions below, also help. Finally, keep your shoe and foot odor away for good by following the tips below.
How to Get Rid of Shoe Odors and Keep Your Shoes From Smelling Bad
Follow these steps to deodorize your shoes and get them fresh and clean. Then, use the homemade shoe deodorizers and home remedies to stop foot odor for good.
Equipment
- A measuring spoon
- Dry cloths
- Small container for mixing (for powder)
- Spray bottle (for spray)
Materials
Homemade Deodorizing Shoe Powder
- Baking soda
- Cornstarch
- Tea tree oil
Homemade Deodorizing Shoe Spray
- Water
- White vinegar
- Tea tree oil
Instructions
Wash Shoes to Get Rid of Odors
- You can launder shoes made from canvas or fabric, like tennis shoes, in your washing machine. This also works well for plastic or rubber shoes, like Crocs or flip-flops.
- Add your shoes to the machine and use your normal amount of laundry detergent. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, or pour it into your machine's empty fabric softener dispenser. Use a long, warm wash and rinse cycle. (Hot water will shrink your shoes.)
- Remove your shoes from the machine after the cycle is complete. Then, stuff a couple of dry cloths into each shoe to absorb excess moisture. Pull the now damp cloths out and repeat with fresh, dry cloths. Then put your shoes in a sunny spot to dry. Sunlight will also help deodorize your shoes by killing any lingering bacteria.
- Wash your shoes every couple of months, or more often if they start to look or smell dirty. Between washings, you can keep them clean using the homemade shoe deodorizing powder and other tips below.
How to Deodorize Non-Washable Shoes
- To kill odors in shoes that can't go into the washing machine, use this homemade shoe deodorizing spray.
- Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and 5 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Shake well. Mist the inside of your shoes, or apply the spray to a cloth and wipe the shoe interior. Avoid getting the spray on the outside, visible part of your shoes. Once you've sprayed them, let your shoes dry in a sunny spot before wearing them.
How to Make a Homemade Shoe Deodorizing Powder
- Combine 3 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon corn starch, and 5 drops of tea tree oil in a small container. The baking soda is a natural deodorizer and tea tree oil both kills bacteria. Using cornstarch helps keep the mixture from clumping.
- Lightly sprinkle this shoe powder inside your shoes after you take them off. Let it remain overnight to absorb sweat and kill odors. If you use too much, just shake the excess powder out of your shoes before wearing them.
Wash Your Shoe Insoles and Inserts Monthly
- Even shoes that can't go in the washing machine may have removable insoles that you can wash. If you have orthotic inserts, you should wash them, too. Do this at least once a month.
- To wash shoe inserts and insoles, fill a sink with 2 cups water and 1 cup white vinegar. Let the inserts soak for 5-10 minutes then rinse with fresh water.
- Press the inserts between dry cloths to blot excess moisture, then let them air dry. Wait until they are completely dry to put them back into your shoes.
More Ways to Keep Your Shoes from Smelling Bad
- Alternate your shoes. Shoes need time to dry out fully after you've worn them. So, avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row.
- Freeze smelly shoes to kill odors. The bacteria that cause shoe odor needs a warm, dark place to breed. Freezing your shoes stops that process. All you need to do is tuck them in a freezer overnight. You should probably put them in a bag first, though, so the dirty soles of your shoes don't come into contact with your frozen foods.
- Help your shoes dry faster after wearing them. The faster your shoes dry out after you take them off, the less smell they'll develop. Stuffing shoes with newspaper or dry rags helps to absorb sweat, but be sure to remove them after a few hours. For added odor control, tuck a tea bag or dryer sheet in the shoe of your toes before adding the paper.
- Choose shoes made of natural materials. Natural materials allow air to circulate so your shoes stay dryer and less smelly. Plus, materials like canvas or other fabrics are washable, so they're easier to clean.
- Wear fresh socks and change them if they feel damp. Socks absorb sweat and keep it from soaking into your shoes. If you're working out hard, on your feet a lot, or if the weather is hot, you may need to change socks more than once a day.
- Practice good foot care. Untended feet provide many spots for odor-causing bacteria to grow. Keep your toenails trimmed, calluses filed, and moisturize rough feet. Tend to athlete's foot immediately, too.
- Wash feet with antibacterial soap daily. If foot odor is a frequent problem, make a daily habit of washing your feet with an antibacterial soap. (Dial is one.) Use a washcloth or soft brush to get between your toes and under your nails.
- Soak your feet to deodorize them. In a deep bowl or basin, combine 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 2 quarts of cool water. Soak your feet in this for 15-20 minutes. This home remedy deodorizes your feet and also cools them to help relieve sweating.
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Mimi says
Thanks a lot! This really helped my shoes that literally could not be worn because they smelled so bad… It was embarrassing…
Zizi says
you totally saved me with this article!! tried everything under the sun – how did I not think of white vinegar!!
Katie Berry says
I’m glad to have helped, Zizi!
Tammylp says
I tried alcohol on a pair of Keds…it did rid them of “foot odor” but now they smell strong of rubber/chemical as if the alcohol broke down the inner sole. I’ll try some of these suggestions.
Katie Berry says
The rubbing alcohol probably did break down some of the inner sole. That’s why I don’t recommend it. The shoe powder I mentioned works very well, and hasn’t harmed my Keds or any other shoes I love.
Annabelle says
Nearly 40 years ago I got rid of my husband’s odor in his cowboy boots and his feet! I just kept an solution of baking soda (about 1/2 cup) and water (about a quart) on top of the dryer. When I was throwing his socks into the dryer I put them into the solution, wrung them out, and then tossed into the dryer with the rest of the clothes. I did this for about a month, and he still does not have stinky feet! (His socks were black, and they came out with a salt and pepper look, but it worked).
Katie Berry says
Thank you for a great suggestion!
Gi says
I just *have* to try this baking soda & water trick! Especially for my dear, stinky J who leaves work with wet feet every day.
Madolyn K Mallory says
I. bought a pair of shoes and they smell from the leather or whatever they are made from. It smells like the Polish they used, but really strong. I left them outside all night, but didn’the help. Still smell………….,HELP
Katie Berry says
Hm. I haven’t encountered that problem before but think I’d try putting them into a large plastic bag and sprinkling them inside and out with baking powder to absorb the odor, then closing the bag and letting them sit overnight. Shake the powder out, wipe the shoes off, and hopefully, the smell will be gone. Good luck!
Lorna says
I wonder if Ozium spray might work. The “original’ scent actually gets rid of smell of tobacco. I was looking everywhere for it, and discovered it is so great at ridding airborne odors, it’s a big hit with marijuana smokers to deodorize their vehicles in case stopped by cops, or sniffed by parents.
You can find it in auto motive section of hardware stores, Walmart type places with car deodorizers
It isn’t like Glade or other perfumy covers. It’s used in ICUs in hospitals.it gets rid of allergens in air.
So somebody, go forth and experiment with this for smelly feet and shoes.
Katie Berry says
I don’t know that I’d be comfortable using a spray meant for air freshening since it’s really not meant to come into prolonged contact with skin.
Zack says
I remember dryer sheets working, but my wife just tried and said that didn’t help. Thanks for the plans B-F!
Katie Berry says
You’re welcome!
bj brown says
Katie,
Can I machine wash a cloth walking shoe that has a leather trim? If not, suggestions?
Katie Berry says
I have and I didn’t have a problem, but that doesn’t mean you should. When I did, I washed them in cold water on a short cycle and then blotted out as much water as I could with a towel. Figuring the dryer heat wouldn’t be good for the leather, I let them air dry in a shady spot on my porch.
If you’ve still got concerns, though, I’d suggest using a toothbrush and soapy water on the canvas parts. Wipe them with a clean, damp cloth after scrubbing then blot them and let them air dry.
Kari B says
We are not sure what has happened to my sons work boots. They have a smell that we can not get rid of. To me, it smells almost like cat urine. He was wearing them out in one of our fields after it rained and yes they got a little wet but good grief, how do we get that smell out? They are leather so we can’t just throw them in the wash so does anybody have any suggestions? Thank you, Kari
Katie Berry says
Hi Kari,
That sounds like an awful odor! I’d suggest removing and replacing the insoles if that’s possible, as well as the laces. Use some soapy water and a washcloth on the outer sole in case it’s something he stepped in. Then try sprinkling the shoe deodorizing powder inside his boots and let that sit for an evening before dumping it out. Hope that helps!
Linda says
Could I substitute another oil, rather than tea tree oil? I have some peppermint oil.
Katie Berry says
Yes, peppermint oil has antibacterial properties, too, which helps it kill odors.