How to Freshen Smelly Shoes

Co-authored by Marc Sigal and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 1, 2023 Approved

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.

Things You Should Know

Place your shoes outside in the sun for 24 hours to air them out and dry. Or, set them near a heater or fan.
Stick newspaper in your shoes to absorb moisture and smells. Or, sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes and let it sit for 24 hours.
Placing dryer sheets or salt in your shoes overnight for 24 hours can also help freshen them up and mask smelly odors.

1

Absorb moisture with newspaper.

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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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Research source}
- 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.

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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.

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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]
 X
 Expert Source
 
 Marc Sigal
 Shoe Care Specialist
 
 Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}

4

Mask odors with dryer sheets.

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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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Research source}
- 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.

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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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Research source}
- 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.

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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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Research source}
- 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.

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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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Research source}
- 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.

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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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Research source}
- 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.

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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]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- 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.

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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]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- 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.

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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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Research source}
- 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 a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

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.

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What is the main reason of bad odor?

Community Answer

Bacteria and sweat combine to create the foul odor often found in shoes.

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How can I prevent foot odor?

Community Answer

Put peppermint extract on your feet after you get out of the shower. Make sure you get your toe nails and between your toes covered good. It dries fast and kills any foot fungus you might have. It will make your toe nails white and healthy too.

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Tips

Wash your feet every day and dry them thoroughly to reduce odor and bacteria. ^{[13]
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If you have extra sweaty feet, try changing your socks halfway through the day to cut down on sweat and odor. ^{[14]
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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

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.

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How to Freshen Smelly Shoes

Things You Should Know

Steps

Absorb moisture with newspaper.

Use baking soda to dry out your shoes.

Dry your shoes out in the sun.

Mask odors with dryer sheets.

Use salt to refresh your shoes.

Disinfect your shoes with rubbing alcohol.

Soak your insoles in water and vinegar.

Wash your insoles.

Try an antifungal spray or powder.

Use medicated insoles.

Put your shoes in the washing machine.

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Tips from our Readers

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