How to Freshen Smelly Shoes

Co-authored by Marc Sigal and Hannah Madden

Between running, walking, and playing sports, our feet get sweaty—and that can make our shoes a little smelly. If you’ve noticed a certain lingering odor after you take your shoes off, it might be time to give them a quick freshening-up. Use any of these DIY methods to get rid of unpleasant odors and make your shoes smell like new again.

1

Absorb moisture with newspaper.

Ball up a handful of newspapers, then stick them inside your shoes. The paper will absorb moisture overnight to help remove odors and keep your shoes smelling fresh.^{[1]
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- If you don’t have a newspaper, rip up a paper bag or use tissue paper instead.
- For extra odor-fighting power, add a few drops of vanilla essential oil to the newspaper before you put it in.

2

Use baking soda to dry out your shoes.

Reach for the baking soda if your shoes won’t dry on their own. Sprinkle a thin layer inside your shoes and let them sit out for 24 hours. Dump out the baking soda before you put your shoes back on for fresh, dry shoes.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- If you really want to kill an unpleasant odor, mix in 1 to 2 drops of essential oils with the baking soda.

3

Dry your shoes out in the sun.

Find a sunny spot outside or put your shoes near a heater. Take out the laces and lift up the tongue to let them dry out faster.^{[3]
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- Try to leave your shoes out for 24 hours to make sure they’re really dry.
- Keeping your shoes dry will help prevent the bacterial growth that causes a bad smell.
- You can also place a fan next to your shoes to help them dry faster.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}

4

Mask odors with dryer sheets.

Grab 2 dryer sheets and ball them up in your hands. Stuff a dryer sheet into each shoe and let it sit overnight. When you put your shoes on again, take the dryer sheet out to enjoy the fresh scent in your shoes.^{[5]
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- You can use dryer sheets to deodorize the place you store your shoes in, like your gym bag or your work bag.
- If your shoes are still smelly after 24 hours, replace the dryer sheet with a fresh one and let your shoes sit out for another 24 hours.

5

Use salt to refresh your shoes.

Grab some normal table salt and sprinkle a thin layer into each shoe. Leave it there for about 24 hours, then shake your shoes out before you put them on again.^{[6]
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- Salt helps to absorb moisture and reduce odor naturally.
- This trick works best on canvas and mesh shoes, but it won’t do much for leather or suede.

6

Disinfect your shoes with rubbing alcohol.

Dab a little bit of rubbing alcohol onto a few cotton pads or cotton balls. Wipe down the inside of your shoes to remove the odor-causing bacteria and disinfect your shoes.^{[7]
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- This is a great way to clean the outside of your shoes if they’re getting a little dirty, too.
- Rubbing alcohol can be a little strong, so make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area or outside.

7

Soak your insoles in water and vinegar.

Mix up a 1:1 ratio of water and white vinegar. Put your insoles in a bowl or bucket, then let them soak in the vinegar mixture for at least 24 hours. Rinse your insoles with warm water and let them air dry before putting them back in your shoes.^{[8]
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- Vinegar is an odor-eater, which is why it works to freshen up your shoes. However, you may notice a slight vinegar smell after your insoles dry. If you aren’t a fan of vinegar, this may not be the solution for you.

8

Wash your insoles.

Remove the insoles from your stinky running shoes or sneakers. Throw them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, then set them out to air dry completely before putting them back in your shoes.^{[9]
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- If your insoles are still smelly after a wash, you can buy new ones from a shoe store to replace them all together.
- Try hand washing your insoles with warm water and dish soap if you don’t want to run them through the washing machine.

9

Try an antifungal spray or powder.

Use the spray or powder to kill fungus. You can find these products at any grocery or drug store to help absorb moisture and reduce odor.^{[10]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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- Antifungal foot powder is commonly associated with athlete's foot. While athlete's foot is a cause of foot odor and smelly shoes, it is possible to have smelly shoes without also having athlete's foot.

10

Use medicated insoles.

Throw away your old, smelly insoles and replace them with deodorizing ones. You can find medicated insoles at most shoe stores or pharmacies near you.^{[11]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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- Cedar wood insoles help prevent fungus and bacteria from building up in your shoes (plus, they smell good, too).

11

Put your shoes in the washing machine.

Check the tag on your shoes to make sure they’re machine washable. Take out the laces and the insoles, then put your shoes in a pillowcase to keep them protected. Throw them in the washer on a gentle cycle, then let them air dry for about 24 hours.^{[12]
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- Most canvas and mesh shoes (like sneakers and running shoes) are fine to put through the washer. Leather, suede, or rubber shoes might not hold up as well.
- Make sure your shoes are super dry before wearing them again! Putting on wet shoes can lead to an even worse smell.
- Although it might seem like a logical next step, you shouldn’t dry your shoes in the dryer. The extreme heat can warp and shrink your shoes, making them impossible to wear.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you get a bad smell out of shoes with baking soda?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

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Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch in the shoes, then let them sit overnight so the powder absorbs any bad odors. Vacuum out the shoes the next day to remove the baking soda or cornstarch.
Question

If I put baking power inside my shoe, will it only get rid of the odor or kill the bacteria? Because I dont want the odor to come back.

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Baking soda won't kill bacteria, it just absorbs moisture. If you're looking to kill the odor-causing bacteria, opt for rubbing alcohol or an anti-fungal spray.
Question

How do you get the baking soda out of the shoe?

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Flip your shoe over and dump the majority of the baking soda out. If there's any powder left, use a paper towel to wipe out the inside of your shoe before putting it on.