How do you clean super smelly shoes?

Hand-Washing Mix equal parts baking soda, white vinegar, and water. It should create a paste. Using an old toothbrush, scrub the paste all over your shoes. Cover both the inside and outside. ... Leave the shoes outside in direct sunlight to dry. Shake or dust off the paste once it's dried. Feb 2, 2024

Why do my shoes always end up smelling bad?

Why Do Shoes Smell? A foot has about 250,000 sweat glands, more per square inch than anywhere else on your body. While sweat itself doesn't smell, damp, unventilated shoes are the perfect environment for bacterial and fungal growth. Bacteria produce organic acid waste that does smell—and it smells bad.

How to get rid of smelly feet permanently?

Do wash your feet at least once a day (use an antibacterial soap if you can) remove hard skin with a foot file and keep toenails short and clean. use foot powder or an antiperspirant. wear breathable or natural fabrics on your feet, like cotton or leather. let shoes dry out before wearing them again.

Why does it smell when I open my legs?

“The most common cause of odor coming from that area is caused by the action of bacteria on sebum ,” explains Dr. Robert Brodell, Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “The other major cause is what I'm going to call a 'yeast infection. ' We call it intertrigo.

Why do some shoes smell and others don t?

Some shoes are more prone to smelling than others based on the material and breathability , and others start to smell simply because of the frequency with which you wear them. “Sweat then gathers in the shoes and the odors may become permanent,” says textile expert Frej Lewenhaupt, co-founder and CEO of Steamery.

Is it possible to get smell out of shoes?

Dry and ventilate in the sun A simple and effective way to remove odors from shoes is to remove excess moisture . After your run, dry your shoes in the sun for a few hours and allow them to dry completely before walking again.

How long does it take baking soda to deodorize shoes?

Wait a few hours, preferably overnight . The baking soda will kill odor-causing bacteria and absorb odors. Extra-stinky shoes may require 24 hours. Over a trashcan or the sink, tap the shoe to remove the remaining baking soda from the inside.

How to Properly Clean Smelly Shoes to Get Rid of Their (Inevitable) Stank (2024)

Put these home remedies and store-bought odor eliminators to work.

By Amanda GarrityPublished: Jun 2, 2020

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No matter how clean you may be, your feet will still produce an unpleasant odor, especially if you wear the same pair of closed-toe shoes day in and day out. It doesn't matter if you're running, walking, or merely sitting all day long, your feet will naturally sweat — some people's more than others. Over time, this moisture in your shoes promotes bacteria growth, which — you guessed it — causes them to stink.

While finding the right odor eliminator is helpful, it's also important to get to the root of the problem. To avoid a funky smell, keep your shoes — and feet — as dry as possible. Try to rotate shoes regularly, so you're not wearing the same pair day after day. While you're at it, make sure you wear socks, so they can absorb any sweat or dampness before your shoes do.

But when the inevitable strikes, look at these step-by-step instructions by Carolyn Forte, the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, to take control of your smelly shoes, once and for all.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Smelly Shoes

When you catch an odd whiff, take it as a sign to give your shoes a good clean. By targeting the smell itself and sanitizing your shoes with disinfectants, you'll take care of the problem from the inside out. But before you start cleaning, make sure shoes are completely dry. If they are damp or wet from daily wear, exercise, or poor weather conditions, stuff them with crumpled newspaper and let them air dry away from direct heat. If the stench persists, try these at-home methods:

Fill two socks with baking soda, tie them off at the top, and slip one sock in each shoe. Let them sit overnight.
To get rid of odor-causing bacteria and fungus, spray the shoe's interior with disinfecting spray like Lysol. You can also sprinkle foot powder or baking powder inside for similar effects. For more natural options, opt for the essential oil-infused Shoe-Pourri spray, or stick Woodlore Cedar Shoe Fresh Inserts in each insole.
Some shoes, like Rothy's and Allbirds, are machine-washable. Follow the care instructions for optimal results. As a general rule, most machine-washable shoes should be washed on the gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Always let air dry.

Just because the stench is gone, doesn't mean your job is done. Prevent future odor by keeping shoes dry, and continuing to rotate through pairs. If you feel like you've done everything you can to eliminate odor and nothing's worked, it may be time to invest in a new pair of kicks.