How Do You Get Rid of Shoe Odour: Cleaning Shoes Guide

There’s nothing worse than a comfortable, stylish pair of shoes starting to lose their store-bought freshness. Especially when the freshness is replaced by foot odour.

If you’ve noticed your shoes getting a bit whiffy, however, try not to worry. It happens to everyone at some point or another, and there are plenty of ways to get rid of the smell.

In this guide we’ll show you 7 sure fire ways to eliminate the smell from your shoes so you can stride with confidence once more. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Reasons shoes get smelly
• How to get rid of bad smells from shoes

You can also browse our cosy and classic shoes, and our premium comfort features, over at The Comfort Hub.

Why Do Shoes Get Smelly?

The main contributors to shoe odour are bacteria and moisture. As you wear your shoes, your feet naturally sweat. This moisture then becomes trapped inside the shoe, creating a warm and damp environment that bacteria just love.

Unfortunately, as these bacteria break down your sweat, they release unpleasant smells which can stick around even after your shoes dry. Some shoes are more prone to pick up smells than others, and there are various factors that can contribute to the smell:

• Sweaty feet: if you tend to sweat a lot, this leads to quicker build-up of moisture and faster bacterial growth.

• Not enough ventilation: shoes made from materials that don’t breathe well will start to smell quicker: like synthetic fabrics and types of leather. You can avoid this by opting for more lightweight breathable materials like mesh

• Not wearing socks: socks soak up some of the sweat from your feet, meaning it gets removed from the shoe when you take them off.

• Not letting your shoes dry properly: shoes that get wet and don’t dry off quickly give off a very noticeable damp smell!

• Using your shoes for a long time without cleaning them: the longer you wear your shoes without cleaning them, the more likely they are to smell. There are methods to different type of shoes like Suede and Skechers.

Understanding these factors is great in preventing shoe smell, but if your shoes are already a bit funky, read on.

7 Ways to Remove the Smell from Shoes

Below you’ll find everything from quick fixes to deep cleans. We recommend picking your favourite from the list and going from there.

2. Wash Your Shoes

If your shoes are machine washable you can give them a wash to get rid of stubborn odour. As a rule, canvas, fabric, and some types of synthetic materials are washable, but please check your specific shoe before starting the cycle. We can’t be held responsible for any damaged shoes!

Take out your insoles and laces, put the shoes in a mesh bag, then use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Let your shoes dry out fully before wearing them again. Hopefully the wash will dislodge anything causing the smells.

If your shoes aren’t machine washable you can use products like Magic Upper Cleaner and Magic Midsole Cleaner to spot clean particular areas of your shoe.

3. Try Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is another natural odour absorber, often used in air purifiers. By popping a small bag of activated charcoal into each shoe and leaving it for a day or two, you can expect a noticeable reduction in odour. Repeat this every couple of months and it should keep smells permanently at bay.

4. Pop in Some Tea Bags

Another repurposed kitchen item here: if baking soda doesn’t work, head to the tea and coffee cupboard! Inserting a couple of black tea bags into each shoe and leaving them overnight should go some way towards reducing the bad smells. You can also steep the tea bags for a while in hot water and dry them out beforehand: in theory this increases their ability to absorb smells.

Just don’t use the tea bags to make a cuppa afterwards!

5. Freeze Your Shoes

Putting your shoes in the freezer may not seem sensible, but it’s actually a very effective way of reducing shoe odour. Just pop them in a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight. Make sure to let them thaw completely before wearing.

The cold kills any bacteria and prevents them from generating new smells. Be aware, though, that it doesn’t remove existing dirt build up. Once the shoes thaw out this build up can combine with the dead bacteria to produce different smells, so you may need to try a different tactic.

6. Use Vinegar for a Deep Clean

If you’re not already aware, vinegar is something of a miracle cleaner. You can use it for floors, windows, surfaces, and even shoes! All you need to do is mix equal parts water and white vinegar, then use a wet cloth to gently wipe dirty areas of your shoe. If you can’t tell exactly which areas are dirty, give them a wipe all over.

Let your shoes dry out completely before wearing and you should notice a significant improvement.

7. Invest in Odour-Reducing Insoles

If you wear your shoes frequently and aren’t having much luck with the techniques above, odour-reducing insoles are a great way to prevent bad smells from building up. These products are designed with antimicrobial materials that stop bacteria from taking root in your shoe, keeping them fresh for much longer.

Say Goodbye to Shoe Smells

Nobody likes wearing shoes that are noticeably smelly. If you’re noticing that your pair is giving off a bit of a pong, we hope the tips in this guide will be useful in putting the issue permanently to bed, so you can return to wearing your favourite pair with confidence.

Should you discover that your shoes can’t be salvaged, however, we’re here to help you find the next pair. Our extensive range of shoes for women and men includes all manner of styles, from trainers to boots and everything in between.