My shoes smell BAD. How do I get rid of the stink?
No matter what I do, I just can NOT get rid of the awful foot smell in my shoes. I've sprinkled baking soda inside them and tried putting them in the wash, but they are still SO stinky. Please tell me there's a way to make the smell go away!
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Put some baking soda or cornstarch inside the shoes and then leave them for a few hours overnight. Then vacuum it out using a small vacuum to get in there, making sure it's fully out. That helps take out some smell.
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If your shoes have an odor because you've worn them a lot and they smell, the best thing you can do is to take the insole out, because that's where the smell most often lives. Also, the insole's not necessarily worth keeping unless it's a really rare pair. I would wash the insole or replace it. Then, there are scented products you can buy that you can put in shoes overnight to air them out.
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When's the last time you replaced your insoles? If you've had those shoes for a long time, the stink is probably stuck in the old, worn insoles. Get some replacments that fit your shoes, and the odor should disappear. Plus, they'll probably feel a lot more comfortable on your feet!
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My ASICS doesn't smell from daily wear. However they got soaked by rain/rain flooded pavements twice. Then I washed, rinsed and dried them well and they got stinky, smelling of rotten paper. I think it's the insole's material that is made of some washingphobic material.
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Your shoes probably stink because your feet are either wet or sweaty. If you just showered, dry off your feet REALLY well before putting on your socks and shoes. You can even sprinkle an antiperspirant or moisture-absorbing powder in your shoes to help them stay dry all day.
I personally recommend Dr. Scholl's Odor Destroyer powder, but anything you find at a drugstore will get the job done.
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I personally recommend Dr. Scholl's Odor Destroyer powder, but anything you find at a drugstore will get the job done.
A little vinegar can go a long way with killing odor-causing bacteria and getting rid of bad smells. Just mix equal parts warm water and vinegar in a bowl and dip a clean cloth in it. Wipe the insides of your shoes and let them air-dry completely. If you're still noticing the smell, try applying the vinegar again.
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I started collecting those little silica gel desiccant packets that you get in packages sometimes and those work like a charm in my shoe. Plus they're free! Sometimes I'll also spray some perfume, body fragrance mist, or air freshener into my shoes for a quick burst of nice scents
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Are you using enough baking soda? Baking soda helps to absorb nasty shoe odors. If my shoes get gnarly after a run or a big workout, I’ll just douse them in baking soda. Then, 6-12 hours later, I’ll just dump all of the soda out. You might need to air your shoes out after to get rid of that chalky texture, but it should fix most shoe smell problems.
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If you have multiple pairs of shoes try alternating the days you wear them so that you're not wearing the same pair several days in a row. On the days that you're not wearing a pair of shoes, you can do a de-odorizing treatment. I like to put car fresheners in my shoes.
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Get a cheap spray bottle, fill with 3/4 water and 1/4 white vinegar.
Spray on the inside and let them air dry outside. The vinegar smell will disappear in a day or 2 and it will totally neutralize the smell.
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Spray on the inside and let them air dry outside. The vinegar smell will disappear in a day or 2 and it will totally neutralize the smell.
You can buy shoe spray for around $5. I just spritz a little in my shoes when I get home and take them off, and then by the time I wear them again the next day, there's no smell!
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Could be a problem with your feet being dirty as when combined with sweat will create an atrocious smell
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What people don’t realize is socks are also a large reason why your shoes smell bad. Make sure you regularly wash your socks and wear clean and dry socks in combination with these methods above. It should work.
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Start out with new shoes that are breathable. Purchase a good pair of moisture wicking socks. Practice good cleaning of the feet. You should be OK. If not, see a podiatrist or a dermatologist for recommendations and treatments. I remember a college roommate during my freshman year, developed a bad case of shoe and foot odor into the second month of the first semester. The shoes were a pair of leather white Nike Shox's. I had to place the shoes outside on the window ledge they smelled so bad one day. They ended up staying outside of the room later. I realized later why the shoes smelled so bad, because of not wearing any socks.
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I used to store my shoes in my closet and they would smell so bad in there. Now I store them by a window with good ventilation and air flow and they smell much better!
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You can wash most shoes in the washing machine. Just don’t put them in with your other clothes and make sure you use a very low rinse cycle. I also wouldn’t recommend using the dryer. All that heat and tumbling can ruin the texture and shape of your shoes. I’d air dry the shoes in the sunlight after washing them.
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Try spritzing your shoes (as long as they're not leather) with a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol (or vodka). It should kill the bacteria. Make sure they're fully dry before you wear them again.
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Other wikiHow readers have submitted their own tips on topics similar to this one.
Reader Tips from How to Freshen Smelly Shoes
Lavender oil not only smells good, but it can help relax you throughout the day. Eucalyptus oil has anti-bacterial properties as well. You can rub the oils in your shoes and also on the bottoms of your feet before putting them into your socks or shoes!
Make sure to put clean socks on every day. Even if you think "They're not that dirty..." trust me: clean socks. Every day.
Reader Tips from How to Deodorize Shoes
One great re-usable solution is to fill a pair of old stockings or panty hose with baking soda, then tie the end shut. Stuff these in your shoes when you're not wearing them to absorb odors before they have a chance to form.
If you can spare the money, buying an extra pair of shoes can help you cut down on odor. Alternating your shoes each day gives them extra time to air out between uses, greatly reducing the amount of odor that can build up.
Reader Tips from How to Clean Stinky Shoes: Home Remedies for Fresh Feet
I always use white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the inside of your shoes liberally and let them dry. Its always worked great for me.
Before you put your shoes on, put scented lotion on your feet. Take time to let the lotion soak into your feet. Then put your shoes on.
