Deodorizing Shoes: How To Get The Smell Out Of Stinky Shoes (2024)

The secret todeodorizing shoes effectively is to stop the stink at its source: moisture. Many people simply try to get rid of shoe smell using a shoe deodorizer spray that only covers up odors. But in this post, you’ll learn how to remove odor from shoes with tips to dry outand deodorize your shoes, eliminating both the odor and odor-causing bacteria in one fell swoop!

Shoe stink is typically more of an issue during the summer, when hot temperatures lead to sweaty feet. And since sweaty feet lead to sweaty shoes, those shoes can eventually develop downright unpleasant odors. Andgetting odors out of something you can’t wash isn’t always easy!

But don’t trash your stinky shoes just yet, because this post is full of effective home remedies for fighting the bacteria that cause the smell and the moisture they thrive in. If you’ve been wondering how to get the smell out of shoes, you’re in the right place (though I also have plenty of othershoe hacks for you to explore elsewhere!)

How To Deodorize Shoes With Baking Soda, Essential Oils & Your Freezer

If your shoes smell, you can maximize your chances of odor-killing success by trying the following method, which combines several of the effective approaches you’ll learn about in greater detail throughout this post.

To deodorize shoes, stir several drops ofSimple Clean Essential Oil Blend into a handful of baking soda, then sprinkle the powder into the shoes and let them sit overnight. Discard the baking soda in the morning, then seal the shoes in a ziplock freezer bag and freeze them for several hours. Afterward,clean your shoes (if necessary) and let them air dry completely before wearing.

How It Works: This method for freshening shoes uses baking soda to absorb moisture and neutralize odors, while the addition of Simple Clean provides an antibacterial boost andfresh fragrance (which is why you’ll find it in my bathroom deodorizer spray, an all-purpose cleaning spray, andcarpet deodorizing powder!) Finally, a few hours in the freezer will make short work of any lingering bacteria and make them smell much fresher!

7 Effective Shoe Deodorizers & Odor-Eliminating Remedies

1. Use Baking Soda

Because baking soda is alkaline, it counteracts the acidic nature of many bad-smelling chemical compounds by causing a chemical reaction that neutralizes odors. It’s best to let it work at least overnight, or preferably 24 hours to give it a chance to do its job. Very persistent odors may need a couple of days or more — if that’s the case for you, aim to replace the baking soda every 24 hours.

You can make natural shoe deodorizersusing a coffee filter, some baking soda, and a rubber band. Put a few tablespoons of baking soda in the center of a coffee filter (a dryer sheet works well too), and add a couple drops of lemon essential oil (or another essential oil, such as tea tree oil, if desired).

Gather the edges of the filter together and secure them with a rubber band, then make another of these baking soda sachets. Stick them in your shoes overnight to neutralize odor and absorb moisture. You can also put a couple of these in your gym bag if the bad odors are there too.

Another way to get rid of smells in shoes is to sprinkle some baking soda (a handful or so) directly into each shoe. Tip the shoes around so the baking soda covers the bottom of the shoe in an even layer, then let them sit overnight. Discard the baking soda in the morning, and use your vacuum to remove any remaining traces.

2. Use Essential Oils

Put a few drops of Simple Clean Essential Oil Blend onto a couple of cotton balls, place them inside each shoe, and let your shoes sit overnight. A few drops of essential oils works well as a natural shoe deodorizer!

3. Leave Them Outside

If it’s sunny and warm out, put your shoes out in the sun for a few hours. For shoes made smelly by odor-causing bacteria, letting them dry out completely in the sun can work wonders!

4. Freeze Your Shoes

You can use your freezer to fix stinky shoes too! Stuff the shoes with wadded newspaper, seal them into a ziplock freezer bag, then place the bag in your freezer overnight. Odor-causing bacteria can’t survive in your freezer’s frigid temperatures, making this a simple and effective way to leave your shoes smelling fresher.

5. Use Lemon Peels

Place some lemon peels in your shoes overnight. If moisture isn’t an issue, this will help provide a fresh scent to smelly shoes!

6. Use Rubbing Alcohol

Pour some rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle, then spray the insides of the offending shoes thoroughly(but without soaking them). The rapid evaporation of the rubbing alcohol will help remove odor, dry them out, and kill bacteria, allowing you full use of the shoes again.

7. Use A Bar Of Soap

Another easy solution is to place a bar of soap inside each shoe and leave overnight. The porous soap will help absorb odor inside the shoes and leave behind a fresh, clean scent. (It’s a great method to try if you have a few bars of soap tucked away in a cupboard or closet!)

3 Tips For Deodorizing Leather Shoes & Suede Shoes

While all of the tips above work well for running shoes, canvas shoes, and sneakers, shoes that are made of leather or suede may need to be handled more carefully so you don’t damage your shoes. Try the baking soda tip (#1) or freezer tip (#4) outlined above, or one of the following methods:

1. Use A Leather Shoe Deodorizer Spray

Look for an odor-eliminating shoe spray that’s formulated for leather shoes, use it according to the directions on the package, then let them dry for 24 to 48 hours. (You can also dry out leather or suede shoes in a well-ventilated area or using a fan, but avoid putting them out in direct sunlight.)

2. Use Tea Bags

Put three or four tea bags in each shoe and let them sit for a couple of days — the tea bags will absorb moisture and odor. Letting them sit for a couple of days will also help them dry out, and moisture in dark places helps bacteria to thrive.

3. Use White Vinegar

Mix white vinegar with an equal amount of water, then dip a clean cloth in the diluted vinegar and use it to wipe down the inside of your leather shoes. Let them dry for about 15 minutes before wiping out the shoes with a clean cloth dampened with clean water. Let the shoes air dry for as long as it takes to get them completely dry. (Is there anythingvinegar can’t do?)

If you don’t like the slight smell of vinegar that may linger, just use baking soda sachets overnight (see #1 in the previous section).

Quick Ways To Deodorize Smelly Shoes ASAP

Dreaming of a way to eliminate shoe odor instantly? While the methods I’ve already mentioned will give you the best results, you can quickly banish the smell (at least temporarily) in a couple of different ways. You can use Odor Eaters shoe inserts, or spray the inside of your shoes with a disinfectant spray like Lysol or rubbing alcohol. Sprinkling foot powder inside your shoes can also help (as will wearing clean socks and keeping your feet clean!)

How To Prevent Shoe Smell The First Place

To keep your favorite shoes smelling fresh, avoid wearing the same pair every day. Giving them a chance to dry completely out between wearings will help keep your shoes cleaner and fresher! If you’re prone to sweaty or stinky feet, sprinkle a bit of baking soda inside your shoes after each wearing (or use removable insoles and clean and replace them regularly!)

Foot hygiene is essential, so make sure to keep your feet clean and dry. You can apply deodorant or adeodorizing powder to your feet to prevent foot odor, or wear socks that wick excess moisture away to keep them dry. Put in a new pair of insoles regularly. You can take the insoles of your shoes out at night before you go to bed, spritzing them with alcohol or vinegar to prevent bacterial growth, and sprinkle some deodorant powder inside your shoes before you put them on to help keep them smelling clean.

What’s your preferred method to get rid of smelly shoes?