Prep first
Before you start
- Check the care label and follow it over general advice.
- Dab a damp cloth on a hidden spot: if dye transfers to the cloth, spot clean only and skip any soaking.
- Brush off loose dirt with a dry, soft-bristled brush before you add any water.
- Set up a shaded spot with good airflow for drying later.
Shoes trap sweat and moisture, and bacteria on your feet produce the acids behind the stink. That's why the smell tends to build up in the insoles, not just on the outside of the shoe. Start by checking the care label, since it overrules general advice.
If you need to get rid of smelly shoes fast, a full clean, complete drying and a day with baking soda is the way. Get the smell out of your shoes by drying them all the way first, because damp shoes bring the odor straight back. Baking soda is the odor absorber to start with, and sweaty feet mean the insoles need cleaning or replacing too.
Before you start
What shoes and sneakers can take
Use with care5
- Water
- Soaking
- Enzyme cleaners
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid3
- Hot water
- Chlorine bleach
- Heat (dryer, iron, hot air)
6 items
What you'll need
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- Soft-bristled brushLoosens dirt from soles and uppers without snagging knit yarn or scrubbing leather hard. (opens Amazon)
- Mild dish soap or laundry detergentA small amount in water cleans without the high concentration that can discolor some materials. (opens Amazon)
- Clean clothsOne damp cloth wipes the shoes and another rinses the soap away.
- Cool waterHot water can affect the dye on mesh, so cool water is the safe choice.
- Baking sodaAbsorbs odor when left inside the dry shoes for at least 24 hours. (opens Amazon)
- Clean white paper towelsSoak up moisture while fabric, mesh or canvas shoes dry. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Take out the laces and insoles
Pull out the laces and insoles, since the insoles often hold the smell. Brush off loose dirt from the soles and uppers with a dry, soft-bristled brush first.
Tip. Keep the laces and insoles together so they're easy to find later.
Step 2 of 6
Wipe the shoes with soapy water
Mix a small amount of mild dish soap or laundry detergent into cool water. Wipe the uppers and soles with a cloth dampened in the solution, working in sections so it doesn't dry on.
Tip. Keep the cloth damp rather than dripping, and press rather than rub.
Careful. Hot water and bleach can damage the material and affect the dye, so keep both away from the shoes.
Step 3 of 6
Rinse and wash the laces and insoles
Wipe the shoes again with a clean cloth dampened in plain cool water to lift the soap. Wash the laces and insoles by hand the same way, using a damp cloth rather than soaking them.
Tip. Switch to a fresh cloth as soon as the first one looks dirty.
Step 4 of 6
Air dry in the shade
Set the shoes and insoles out at room temperature in the shade, with the tongues open and the laces out of the way. Leave them until they are fully dry, which often takes at least 8 hours.
Step 5 of 6
Sprinkle baking soda inside
Once the shoes are completely dry, sprinkle baking soda straight into each shoe. Leave it in for at least 24 hours so it can absorb the odor.
Tip. Use a light, even layer so the powder reaches the toe and heel.
Step 6 of 6
Shake out and reassemble
Tip each shoe upside down over a trash can and brush out the powder. Put the dry insoles back in and re-lace the shoes.
Careful. Only put the insoles back once they are fully dry, since damp insoles bring the smell straight back.
What makes the job easier
Products that help
Use a mild dish soap or laundry detergent with a soft-bristled brush for cleaning. Baking soda is all you need to absorb odor.
How we picked these: each product is made for this kind of odor or surface, its maker doesn't warn against using it on shoes and sneakers, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →A faint smell often fades as everything dries and airs out; give it a day before a second round.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The shoes are clean when the uppers look free of dirt and the inside smells fresh once the baking soda is shaken out. They're fully dry when the insoles and inner lining feel dry all the way through. If anything still feels damp, give it more time in the shade before you add the baking soda.
If there is a stain too
Related guides
A smell usually has a stain or a spill behind it. These guides cover the cleanup in detail:
What changes for yours
Adjust for your shoes
Knit, mesh and canvas shoes
Use soapy water without bleach or harsh cleaners, and skip the dryer, since heat can deform these shoes. Keep the water cool, because hot water can affect the dye on mesh.
After cleaning, stuff the shoes with clean white paper towels to soak up moisture, and dry them in the shade. Swap the paper towels out as they get damp.
Shoes with insoles that can't be removed
Clean the insole and the inside of the shoe with the soapy cloth as far as you can reach, since you can't pull the insole out for a full wash. Insoles are porous and hold moisture, so this is where foot odor builds up.
Allow at least 10 to 12 hours to dry after cleaning, and don't add the baking soda until everything is dry.
Leather and suede boots
Dry brush the leather and suede first, and wipe only the non-leather parts with the soapy cloth. Keep leather and suede out of water, since water can damage them.
Dry the boots in the shade, away from heat and never in a dryer, just as you would any shoe. Give them the full drying time before any baking soda goes in.
Sneakers with laces and removable insoles
Take the laces out and wash them by hand, then let them air dry, because a dryer can damage the aglets at the ends. Clean removable insoles the same way as the rest of the shoe, and let them dry fully before they go back in.
Don't soak the shoes, since a damp cloth is the gentler choice for a wet clean. Leave the laces and insoles to dry at room temperature, out of direct heat.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Clean the shoes about every two weeks or whenever they get dirty, and dry-brush them before any wet cleaning. Rotate pairs so the same shoes aren't worn two days in a row, which gives them time to dry.
Wear socks that wick moisture, wash them after every wear, and change out of socks and shoes right after a workout. Dry your feet well after cleaning them, and slip your shoes off whenever you can.
Foot powder and insoles that absorb wetness help too, and choosing shoes made of natural materials like leather is a good habit. Don't seal shoes in plastic bags or airtight containers, since that keeps in the moisture bacteria thrive on.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Some household remedies earn their place on shoe odor, and others belong nowhere near the shoe. Here's how each one fits, based on what these shoes can take.
Works2Helps1Skip1Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't skip the drying time
Shoes can look dry on the outside while the insoles and sole still hold moisture. Damp shoes bring the smell back, so give them the full time before you put anything inside.
Don't scrub knit or leather hard
Knit yarn snags easily, and hard scrubbing can damage leather. A soft-bristled brush and a damp cloth do the job gently.
Don't wash shoes in the washing machine
Delicate materials can be damaged, and bulky sneakers can damage the washer itself. Hand cleaning with a damp cloth is the gentler route for these shoes.
Don't dry shoes in the sun or near heat
Sunlight and heat sources can deform shoes, and a dryer does the same. Shade with air moving around the shoes is the safe place to dry them.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell is back within a day
Check the insoles first, since they are porous and hold moisture. Clean them again, let them dry for at least 8 hours, and replace them if the odor stays.
The inside still feels damp after drying
Dampness means the shoes aren't dry yet, so keep them in the shade with clean white paper towels inside for longer. Keep them out of sealed bags until they feel dry all the way through.
A stain is still visible after cleaning
Treat the stain first with that stain's own method, then let the shoes dry in the shade. Test a hidden spot first to check the dye holds.
When to call a professional
A professional isn't needed for shoes; cleaning them at home first is the better route. Follow the care label, and if it says surface clean only, don't send the shoes out for a full wash.
Questions
Can I use a sock sachet to absorb shoe odor?
Yes, as an alternative to the sprinkle. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup baking powder and 1/2 cup cornstarch, split it between two socks, knot them and leave one in each shoe overnight. Keep everything dry, since moisture encourages bacteria, and a dry bar of soap dropped into each shoe overnight also works.
Does sweat alone make shoes smell?
Sweat feeds the bacteria, and the bacteria are what make the smell. Keeping shoes and socks dry gives those bacteria less to work with.
Will a scent spray get rid of the smell?
A scent only covers the smell, and the source is still there. Use one only after the shoes are completely dry, as a final touch.
Is it the insoles that smell?
Pull the insoles out and smell them on their own. If they smell stronger than the shoe, clean them and let them dry, and replace them if the odor stays.
What does a mildew smell mean for my shoes?
A mildew smell means the shoes stayed damp too long, so the drying time matters most. Keep them somewhere air can reach them between wears, not in a sealed bag.
Can I clean sandals and leather boots the same way?
Check the care label first, since it decides what's safe. If it says surface clean only, wipe with a damp cloth and cool water rather than soaking, and keep leather and suede out of water.
Start from the bigger picture
More odor guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.