New shoes shouldn't stink. Simple as that.
Whether it's your running shoes, football boots, basketball shoes, or everyday sneakers, footwear can start to smell after enough wear. Sweat, moisture, and regular use can create the perfect environment for unwanted odours to build up inside your shoes.
The good news is that smelly shoes don't necessarily need replacing. Knowing how to eliminate shoe odour comes down to properly cleaning and drying your footwear, while taking a few simple steps to keep it fresher between wears.
If you've been wondering how to get rid of the smell in shoes, follow these steps to freshen up your footwear and help prevent odour from returning.
Why Do Shoes Start to Smell?
Most shoe odour begins with moisture.
Your feet naturally sweat during exercise and everyday activity. Inside an enclosed shoe, that moisture can become trapped in the socks, insoles, and lining of the footwear.
Bacteria that naturally exist on the skin can then break down components of sweat, producing the unpleasant smell commonly associated with well-worn sports shoes.
This is why simply spraying fragrance inside a smelly shoe may only cover up the problem temporarily. If you want to know how to remove stink from shoes, the first step is dealing with the moisture and build-up causing it.
Step 1: Let Your Shoes Air Out
The easiest place to start is also one of the most important.
After training, running or playing sport, avoid immediately putting your shoes inside a closed gym bag, cupboard or locker. Instead, loosen the laces, open the tongue and leave your footwear somewhere well ventilated.
Giving air the opportunity to move through the shoe helps moisture evaporate rather than remaining trapped inside.
If your shoes have removable insoles, take them out as well. Insoles can hold onto sweat and moisture, so allowing them to dry separately can help the entire shoe air out more effectively.
Step 2: Remove the Insoles and Laces
If airing your shoes isn't enough, it's probably time for a more thorough clean.
Start by removing the laces and insoles where possible. Taking the shoe apart slightly makes it easier to clean areas where sweat, dirt, and bacteria can accumulate.
Laces can generally be cleaned separately using mild detergent and water, while removable insoles can be gently cleaned according to their care instructions.
This also allows the inside of the shoe to dry more effectively once you're finished.
Step 3: Clean Away Dirt and Build-Up
Before using water, remove loose dirt from your shoes with a soft, dry brush.
Brands like CREP Protect offer a range of sneaker cleaning products that help you tackle many different stain and dirt-related emergencies. From a starter pack that includes a brush and solution to water-resistant sprays to protect your shoes, CREP has a lot of useful resources to help you out!
Alternatively, you can create a mild cleaning solution using warm water and a small amount of gentle laundry detergent.
Using a soft cloth or brush, gently clean the upper, midsole, and other appropriate surfaces. Avoid completely soaking the shoe, particularly if you're unsure how the materials will react to water.
Different footwear uses different materials, so always check the manufacturer's care instructions before cleaning. Leather, suede, mesh, and synthetic footwear may all require different methods.
Step 4: Clean the Inside of the Shoe
When working out how to remove stink from shoes, don't forget the area where the smell is actually developing.
Use a slightly damp cloth with your mild cleaning solution to gently wipe the internal lining where appropriate, paying particular attention to areas around the heel and footbed.
Avoid saturating the inside of the shoe. Using too much water can make the footwear take significantly longer to dry and may create even more trapped moisture.
Once cleaned, remove any excess cleaning solution with a clean, damp cloth.
Step 5: Let Your Shoes Dry Completely
This step is especially important.
Leave your shoes to air dry naturally in a well-ventilated area before wearing them again. Avoid putting damp shoes straight back into your gym bag or wardrobe.
It's also best to avoid exposing footwear to excessive direct heat, such as placing shoes against a heater or using a high-temperature dryer. Excessive heat can potentially affect adhesives, foams, and other materials used throughout modern sports footwear.
Instead, open the shoe as much as possible and allow plenty of airflow to reach the inside.
Most importantly, don't put the shoes back on until they're completely dry. This can cause the bacteria to come back quicker!
Step 6: Use a Shoe Deodoriser Between Wears
Once your shoes are clean, keeping them fresh becomes much easier.
Sof Sole Sneaker Balls are a simple option for sports shoes that regularly end up in gym bags, lockers or other enclosed spaces.
Their compact design allows them to sit inside footwear where larger fresheners won't fit. Simply twist them open and place one inside each shoe between wears to release their fresh scent. They can also be used inside gym bags and lockers.
They're particularly useful as part of an ongoing shoe-care routine rather than waiting until your footwear already smells heavily.
Step 7: Don't Forget Your Socks
Sometimes the problem isn't only the shoes.
Putting clean shoes straight back on with sweaty or previously worn socks can quickly reintroduce moisture and odour.
Wear a clean pair of socks each time you exercise and wash them thoroughly between uses. Moisture-managing sports socks can also help move sweat away from the skin during activity.
Keeping both your feet and socks clean and dry gives your shoes a much better chance of staying fresh.
How Can You Stop Shoe Odour From Coming Back?
Once you've worked out how to eliminate shoe odour, prevention is much easier than repeatedly deep-cleaning your footwear.
Try to:
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Allow your shoes to dry completely between wears
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Remove damp shoes from your sports or gym bag as soon as possible
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Wear clean socks
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Remove and air out the insoles when necessary
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Regularly clean dirt and sweat build-up
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Use products such as Sof Sole Sneaker Balls between wears
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Rotate between pairs of shoes when possible rather than wearing the same damp pair every day
Giving your footwear enough time to dry is particularly important for people who train or play sport regularly.
So, How Do You Get Rid of the Smell in Shoes?
There isn't one trick that instantly fixes every smelly shoe.
The most effective approach is to tackle the source of the odour:
- Remove dirt and sweat
- Allow trapped moisture to escape
- Make sure the shoes dry properly before wearing them again.
Once they're clean, simple habits such as airing them after exercise, wearing fresh socks and using shoe deodorisers like Sof Sole Sneaker Balls can help keep unwanted smells under control.
A little regular shoe care can go a long way, helping your favourite sports shoes stay fresher for longer. For tips and the necessary accessories, pop down to your local INTERSPORT Australia store for more expert advice!
