Top Tips for Eliminating Smelly Shoes: Simple Solutions That Work

How to Keep Your Shoes Smelling Fresh: Tips for Cleaning Smelly Shoes

Smelly shoes can be a real nuisance, but with a few simple techniques, you can keep your favourite shoes smelling fresh. Whether it’s sweaty feet, moisture, or bacteria causing the bad smell, there are several cleaning methods and tips to deodorise shoes and eliminate odours.

Read on for the best ways to handle smelling shoes and ensure they stay fresh. TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Understanding Stinky Shoes

Overview

To get rid of smelly shoes, start by practicing good foot hygiene and always wear clean, moisture-wicking socks. Use natural deodorisers like baking soda, white vinegar spray, or essential oils such as tea tree or cedarwood to eliminate odours.

Freeze shoes overnight to kill bacteria, or insert dryer sheets or kitty litter to absorb moisture. Wash fabric shoes gently if permitted, and always air dry completely after cleaning. To prevent odours, rotate your shoes regularly, sanitise non-washable pairs, and let them breathe between wears.

Why Do Shoes Smell?

• A foot has about 250,000 sweat glands, making it a breeding ground for bacteria.

• Sweat itself doesn’t smell, but damp, unventilated shoes create an ideal environment for bacterial growth. (Each shoes insole often contributes to unpleasant smells)

• Bacteria produce organic acid waste that smells bad.

• Regular cleaning can help prevent and remove odours.

Prevention is Key

Wear Socks to Prevent Sweat and Bacteria

• Wear clean socks to prevent sweat and bacteria buildup in shoes.

• Change socks regularly, especially after exercising or engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating.

• Use moisture-wicking socks to keep feet dry and prevent sweat buildup.

• Avoid wearing the same pair of socks multiple times without washing them.

• Keeping your feet and shoes clean is the method for preventing foot odour.

Practice Good Foot Hygiene. One of the primary reasons for stinky shoes is smelly feet, which are often caused by sweat glands on the feet releasing sweat. Wearing clean socks made from moisture-wicking materials like cotton can help keep your feet dry.

Regularly washing your feet daily and wearing socks that absorb moisture can prevent your shoes from absorbing all that extra moisture. Make sure to dry your feet thoroughly before putting on dry socks and shoes to help avoid bacterial growth and odour.

Natural Remedies for Fresh Feet

Make Odour Absorbers With Baking Soda

• Place shoes and baking soda-filled socks in a large sealable plastic bag for 24 hours.

• Baking soda absorbs odours and can help neutralise bacteria.

• This method is effective for smelly sandals.

• Use baking soda to make odour absorbers for your shoes.

One of the most effective ways for cleaning smelly shoes is using baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Baking soda absorbs lingering moisture and helps remove odours caused by bacteria.

If you have a mesh laundry bag, place your shoes in it and shake in some baking soda for an added boost. After letting it sit overnight, simply dump the baking soda out of your shoes, and they’ll smell fresh again.

Use White Vinegar and Water for Deodorising Shoes

Mixing white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle is another effective solution for deodorising shoes. Spray the inside of your shoes lightly with the white vinegar and water mixture to kill bacteria and neutralise odours.

Vinegar is excellent for killing bacteria and removing odours without harsh chemicals. Allow your shoes to air dry completely after using this method.

Freeze Your Shoes Overnight

Freezing shoes is not most peoples first choice, but believe it or not, you can remove and eliminate odours from smelly shoes by freezing them overnight. The cold temperature kills the bacteria that cause odours.

Simply place your shoes in a plastic bag and pop them in the freezer overnight. Afterward, let the shoes air dry completely and you’ll notice a significant reduction in the bad smell.

Use Dryer Sheets to Freshen Shoes

If you’re looking for a quick fix, dryer sheets can help to remove odours and freshen up your shoes. Simply place a dryer sheet inside your shoes overnight to absorb bad smells and moisture.

The fresh scent of the dryer sheet will mask any lingering odours, leaving your shoes smelling nice. This is a great option for a fast, on-the-go solution to keep your shoes smelling fresh.

Freshening Shoes with Essential Oils

Use a Spray Bottle to Apply Essential Oils

• Tea tree, clove, and cedarwood essential oils have anti-fungal properties.

• Add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle with water.

• Spray the solution onto the shoes and let it air dry.

• Essential oils can help deodorise and kill bacteria in shoes.

For long term freshness, use essential oils tea tree, cedarwood or clove, which have antibacterial properties that eliminate odours and freshen up your shoes. A few drops of essential oils mixed with foot powder or baking soda can do wonders for your shoes and feet.

Cleaning and Sanitising Shoes

Wash Your Shoes

• Most fabric athletic shoes can be washed by hand or in the washer.

• Check the manufacturer’s website for specific washing instructions.

• Use a laundry sanitiser that uses a phenolic disinfectant or pine oil.

• Avoid using chlorine bleach, as it can damage shoe materials.

Sanitise Non-Washable Shoes

• Boots and slippers with shearling linings can’t be washed in a machine.

• Use a disinfectant spray or wipes to kill bacteria.

• Make sure to follow the product’s instructions for use.

• Sanitise non-washable shoes to eliminate odours.

Maintaining Fresh Shoes

Air Dry Your Shoes

• Direct sunlight can kill bacteria and eliminate odours.

• Place the shoes in direct sunlight for a few hours.

• This method is effective for damp athletic shoes.

• Be cautious, as direct sunlight can cause colour fading.

Air Dry Your Shoes after cleaning your shoes, always ensure they are air dried completely before wearing them again. Letting your shoes sit in a well-ventilated area will help kill bacteria and eliminate any remaining odours.

Fresh air is a natural remedy for bad smells, so leave your shoes in a shaded spot (avoid direct sunlight) to dry out properly.

Odour Absorption

Try Kitty Litter

If you're struggling with stinky shoes, another creative method is using kitty litter. Simply fill an old sock or small mesh bag with kitty litter and place it inside your shoes.

The litter will absorb extra moisture and help to eliminate odours and bad smells. Leave it overnight, and you’ll notice a fresher scent the next day.

Conclusion

By practicing good foot hygiene, using natural deodorising methods like baking soda, white vinegar, and essential oils, you can easily remove odours and keep your shoes smelling fresh. Air dry your shoes completely, and rotate shoes often between different pairs, and use tips like kitty litter or dryer sheets to keep the bad smells at bay. These simple steps will ensure your shoes stay fresh, dry, and bacteria-free.

For more cleaning smelly shoes tips and techniques, be sure to explore more products like foot powder and spray bottles that help with the cleaning and drying process. Remember to wear clean socks and practice good foot hygiene to reduce odours from the start!Understanding Stinky Shoes

FAQs About Smelly Shoes

Why do my shoes smell?
Odours are caused by bacteria feeding on sweat and moisture, especially in synthetic materials . Poor foot hygiene and wearing damp shoes accelerate this process.

What’s the fastest way to eliminate shoe odour?
Use baking soda or dryer sheets overnight for quick results. For deep cleaning, spray with vinegar or essential oils and air dry.

Can I wash shoes in the washing machine?
Yes—if they’re made from washable materials. Use a laundry bag and air dry completely afterward.

Does sunlight kill bacteria in shoes?
Yes, UV rays can help eliminate bacteria—but be careful of discolouration with delicate fabrics.

How often should I replace shoes?
Replace every 500–800km of wear, or when the insole is no longer absorbing moisture. Rotating shoes every other day can prolong their life.

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