12 Ways to Remove Smells from Shoes ASAP

Smelly shoes are a common problem and could have a major impact on your home depending on where and how you store your shoes. Even with the best foot hygiene, damp and unventilated shoes provide an ideal environment for smelly odors to form.

Of course, the most straightforward way to remove smells is to wash the shoes, but some shoes are not washable. Here are 12 ways to remove bad smells from all types of shoes.

Aerating and Washing Your shoes

Drying out excess moisture from the insoles and lining of shoes is an easy and effective way to get rid of unpleasant smells. After removing laces, insoles, and detachable components, wash your shoes by hand or—if materials permit—on a gentle setting in the washing machine.

Some materials shrink in the dryer, so you should place your shoes in a breezy outdoor location, preferably under direct sunlight, to dry completely. After they are completely dry, shoes must be stored in a cool, dry spot with good airflow, allowing the material to breathe and dry out thoroughly after use.

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White vinegar

To banish odors and bacteria from your shoes, mix a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and filtered or distilled water in a spray bottle. Spritz the solution inside your shoes and let them air dry. This natural remedy will leave your shoes smelling fresh for hours.

For optimal effectiveness, ensure your shoes are clean before using the vinegar solution.

Baking soda

Baking soda is a powerful, chemical-free deodorizer that absorbs bad smells. To freshen up your shoes, sprinkle baking soda inside smelly footwear overnight. Before wearing them, shake out the baking soda residue.

Alternatively, place baking soda filled cotton socks inside shoes overnight. This lets you lift stubborn smells from socks and shoes at the same time.

Essential Oils and Herbs

Enhance shoe freshness by adding drops of essential oils, such as lavender or tea tree oil, to the insoles. Allow the oils to dry thoroughly before use.

Clove, cinnamon, and cedarwood also have natural deodorizing properties, so you could bundle them in a handkerchief or sock and place them inside each shoe overnight. Regularly placing such bundles inside shoes that are not in use will make sure they’re fresh for any occasion.

Commercial Shoe Deodorizers

A specially formulated odor-eliminating shoe deodorizer or disinfecting spray (phenolic-based) can be an amazingly effective way to eliminate shoe odors. Most sprays offer a quick fix because they contain bacteria-fighting properties or enzymes that eat away at the causes of terrible smells. Use according to the manufacturer’s instructions and leave shoes out to dry in a well-ventilated area.

Bar Soap

While you could hand wash your shoes using wet soap, try dry bar soap instead. Bar soap is porous, which means it can effectively absorb and eliminate foul odors. Place one dry bar of soap in each shoe overnight and you’ll be able to smell the difference.

Citrus Peels

Another way to remove smells from shoes is to mask them with a more pleasant scent. Leave the peels of fresh lemon, lime, or citrus fruit in your closed-toed shoes and boots overnight. This is not ideal for truly stinky athletic sneakers, however, which might need a combination of techniques to truly get rid of long-standing sweat build up.

Freezing Your Shoes

This may seem extreme, but if all else fails it’s worth a try. Place smelly shoes in a bag and leave them in the freezer overnight. Take them out the following day and allow them to dry naturally. The frigid temperature will kill stinky bacteria and leave your shoes with a neutral smell.

Rubbing Alcohol

Alcohol helps eliminate odors and for leather or leather-like material that can’t be wet, dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe down the inside of your shoes. Alternatively, you could put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and lightly spray your shoes’ insides but be sure to avoid soaking them.

Dryer Sheets

Place half a standard dryer sheet in each shoe and leave them overnight. Dryer sheets will absorb odors and leave your shoes freshly scented by morning.

Depending on how long your shoes have gone without a wash, you might need to do more than just one of these techniques before you smell results. Try multiple methods over the course of a week to find what works best to lift smells.