How to Get Smell Out of Shoes

①

Fastest fix: vinegar spray (1:1 with water) inside both shoes → air dry completely in sunlight. This kills the bacteria and the smell is gone.

⚠

Baking soda does not kill bacteria — it only absorbs odour temporarily. The smell returns within days. Use vinegar or UV treatment for a lasting fix.

Why Shoes Smell (It's Bacteria, Not Sweat)

Shoe odour is fundamentally a bacterial problem, not a sweat problem. Human sweat is almost odourless when it leaves the body — fresh eccrine sweat (the watery sweat produced by the feet and most of the body) consists of water, sodium, and small amounts of lactic acid and urea. The smell develops because bacteria living on the skin and in the warm, dark, moist environment inside shoes metabolise the sweat compounds into volatile organic acids. The primary bacterial species involved are Brevibacterium linens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Corynebacterium species. Their metabolic processes convert leucine (an amino acid in sweat) into isovaleric acid — the same compound that gives aged cheese its distinctive smell. They also produce methanethiol (a sulfur compound) and 3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid, both of which contribute to the characteristic odour. Shoes accelerate this process because they create a near-ideal bacterial environment: warm (your feet are the warmest part of your body), moist (feet sweat up to 250ml of water per day), dark (no UV light), and anaerobic (oxygen-depleted). The insoles and inner lining of shoes absorb sweat and harbour bacterial colonies that grow between wears. This is why most odour treatments need to either: (1) kill the bacteria, (2) denature the volatile organic acids already produced, or (3) prevent moisture from accumulating — which removes the bacterial growth environment. Baking soda works by absorbing moisture and neutralising acidic odour molecules chemically — but it does not kill bacteria, so the smell returns quickly once bacteria regrow. Acetic acid (white vinegar) kills bacteria on contact. UV light (sunlight or UV-C devices) damages bacterial DNA and is highly effective without any chemicals.

Treatment Methods

White vinegar spray

High — kills bacteria

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray generously inside the shoes, focusing on the insole and toe box. Allow to dry completely in a well-ventilated area — the vinegar smell evaporates fully as it dries, leaving no residue. Repeat after every heavy wear for ongoing prevention, or weekly as a maintenance treatment. White vinegar (5% acetic acid concentration) is bactericidal — it kills Brevibacterium and Staphylococcus on contact.

Sunlight treatment

High — UV kills bacteria

Place shoes in direct sunlight for 3–6 hours. UV-C and UV-A from sunlight damages bacterial DNA, killing the colonies inside the shoe. This is free and chemical-free. Do not use sunlight on leather shoes for extended periods — prolonged UV exposure fades and dries out leather. For leather, 1–2 hours maximum with conditioning afterward.

Baking soda (overnight)

Moderate — absorbs odour

Pour or sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside each shoe. Leave overnight (8+ hours). Tip out or vacuum out in the morning. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) absorbs moisture and chemically neutralises acidic volatile organic acids through an acid-base reaction. It does not kill bacteria, so the effect is temporary — odour returns within a few wears as bacteria regrow. Better as a short-term deodoriser than a long-term fix.

Cedarwood shoe trees or sachets

Moderate — absorbs moisture, mild antibacterial

Cedar shoe trees or cedar chips absorb moisture from inside the shoe after each wear, removing the moist environment that bacteria need to thrive. Cedrol (the primary compound in cedarwood) has mild antibacterial properties. This is a preventive treatment, not a cure for existing odour. Replace or sand cedar shoe trees when they no longer smell of cedar — the surface oils deplete over time.

Activated charcoal insoles or sachets

Moderate — absorbs odour compounds

Activated charcoal has a very high surface area and adsorbs (binds) volatile organic compounds including the acids responsible for shoe odour. Unlike baking soda, activated charcoal does not neutralise acids chemically — it physically traps them in its porous structure. Effective as an ongoing treatment. Replace every 2–3 months.

Freezing (overnight in a bag)

Moderate — kills many bacteria

Place the shoes in a sealed bag and freeze overnight (at least 8 hours, at −18°C or below). Freezing kills many bacteria through ice crystal formation in their cells. It is not as effective as chemical or UV treatment because some cold-adapted bacteria survive. Effective for canvas and synthetic shoes — do not freeze leather shoes (extreme cold cracks leather and damages adhesive).

Machine washing (canvas and mesh only)

High — removes bacterial colonies from the material

Canvas sneakers and fabric/mesh athletic shoes: remove insoles and laces first, place in a mesh laundry bag, cold wash on gentle cycle. Machine washing physically removes the bacterial colonies embedded in the fabric. Air dry — never tumble dry. This is the most thorough method for canvas/mesh shoes but is not suitable for leather, suede, or shoes with delicate construction.

By Shoe Type

Canvas and fabric sneakers

Machine wash cold in a mesh bag (most effective method — removes bacteria from fabric). Between washes: vinegar spray + sunlight. Baking soda overnight for quick freshening. Remove insoles and wash separately. Air dry only.

Leather shoes

Never machine wash. Wipe insides with vinegar-soaked cloth (not soaking wet). Allow to dry completely. Insert cedar shoe trees after each wear to absorb moisture. Condition leather regularly — the conditioning sessions are a good time to wipe insides with vinegar. Sunlight treatment (1–2 hours maximum to avoid drying out leather).

Athletic and running shoes

Synthetic uppers: vinegar spray is safe and effective. Foam midsoles: baking soda inside + sunlight. Remove insoles after every run and allow them to air out separately — insoles accumulate the most bacteria. Replace insoles every 3–6 months (insoles cannot be fully deodorised after heavy use). Machine wash if the shoe's construction allows it (check the care label).

Suede shoes

Never machine wash. Vinegar spray can be used carefully — apply lightly and allow to dry fully before using the shoes. Baking soda sachets inside (do not pour loose baking soda onto suede — it can stain if it gets wet). Cedar shoe trees are ideal for suede — they absorb moisture without introducing liquid. Freezing is safe for suede.

Sandals

Most sandals can be scrubbed with a brush and vinegar solution (1:1 with water). For leather sandals: wipe with a vinegar cloth, condition afterward. For synthetic and EVA sandals: full soak in vinegar water is fine. Scrub the footbed where bacteria concentrate. Sunlight dry.

Prevention Tips

1.Wear moisture-wicking socks — they move sweat away from the foot and reduce moisture accumulation in the shoe.
2.Rotate shoes — never wear the same pair two days in a row. Allow 24 hours for moisture to evaporate between wears.
3.Remove shoes immediately when you get home — airing them out in a well-ventilated area limits the time bacteria have in optimal growing conditions.
4.Replace insoles every 3–6 months for frequently worn athletic shoes — insoles become irreversibly colonised over time.
5.Apply suede/leather protector or antimicrobial spray to insoles — creates a barrier that limits bacterial adhesion.
6.Wash feet thoroughly and dry between the toes — the foot bacteria are the source of the shoe bacteria.

FAQ

Why do my shoes smell even after washing?

If the smell returns quickly after washing, the bacterial colonies in the insole or lining were not fully eliminated. Machine washing canvas shoes in a laundry bag is the most thorough method. If you hand-washed or the shoes cannot be machine washed, the bacteria in the foam insole may have survived. Try: removing and washing insoles separately, treating insides with white vinegar spray, and allowing thorough drying in sunlight before wearing again.

Does baking soda permanently remove shoe smell?

No — baking soda absorbs and neutralises odour molecules already present but does not kill the bacteria producing them. The effect is temporary: the smell returns within a few wears as bacteria regrow. For a lasting fix, you need to kill the bacteria (white vinegar, sunlight/UV) and reduce the moisture environment they need to thrive (cedar shoe trees, moisture-wicking socks, shoe rotation). Baking soda is useful as a quick deodoriser between proper treatments.

Is it safe to put shoes in the washing machine?

Canvas sneakers and fabric/mesh athletic shoes can be machine washed on a cold gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Always remove insoles and laces first. Never machine wash leather, suede, or shoes with delicate construction. Never tumble dry — heat damages rubber soles and shoe adhesive. Always air dry. Check the shoe's care label if present.

How does vinegar remove shoe smell?

White vinegar contains acetic acid (approximately 5% concentration in household vinegar), which is bactericidal — it kills the Brevibacterium, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium bacteria that produce the volatile acids responsible for shoe odour. Baking soda and charcoal only absorb the odour molecules; vinegar addresses the source. The vinegar smell evaporates completely as the shoe dries, leaving no residue. Use a 1:1 dilution with water to avoid saturating the interior.

Got a stain on your clothing?

Use the stain picker →