Love Good Housekeeping and want more of our Triple-Tested recipes, home tips, fashion inspiration, essential consumer advice and so much more delivered to your inbox? Sign up to our FREE weekly newsletters, sit back and enjoy!
Smelly shoes are a common problem during the summer heat. As our feet sweat, bacteria has the chance to breed in our favourite sneakers, and the result is an unwelcome pong when the time comes to take them off.
No one wants to deal with smelly shoes, particularly if you’re a guest in someone else’s house. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to rid this smell and freshen up your shoes for the better.
1. Give your shoes a wash
It might sound obvious, but washing your shoes can make a big difference to the smell.
Lots of trainers can be washed in the washing machine - always refer to the care label to check they're machine washable first. We recommend using a mesh bag and padding out the load with towels to protect your shoes from the tumbling motion.
Even if your shoes can’t go in the machine, washing by hand will also help. Cleaning the exterior can remove unwanted smells, as well as make your shoes look better. For guidance on different fabric types, check out how to clean white trainers.
If the smells are inside your shoes, check if the removable fabric insoles are washable. You can also remove and soak the shoelaces in a stain remover to clean them, or these can go in the washing machine if you’ve got a mesh bag small enough. Always leave your shoes to air dry afterwards and never use the tumble dryer.
2. Bicarb
There’s lots of ways you can clean with bicarb, but it’s a brilliant deodoriser too. This powder will help to remove odours from a closed environment over time, whether in the fridge or microwave, and your shoes are no exception. Simply sprinkle some bicarb into each shoe and then shake it around, covering the opening as you do. Leave overnight, then tap out the excess in the morning.
If you don’t have any bicarb to hand, those little silica gel sachets you get in packaging can help too. These actively adsorb moisture and can help deodorise in the process. Simply place a couple in each shoe and leave to work their magic.
Alternatively, there are plenty of shoe sprays you can buy to refresh the interior, such as Scholl Fresh Step Shoe Spray or Lumi Outdoors Essential Oil Odor Eliminator. Products which actively deodorise are an alternative if you don’t want to use bicarb, such as Eco Whiff Sports Shoe Deodoriser.
3. Invest in new insoles
If the fabric insoles are the root of the smelly problem, and they’re non-washable or showing damage, it might be time to upgrade them. Opt for washable fabric insoles moving forward, such as these Ltohoe Memory Foam Insoles. That way you can refresh them when needed in the future.
When buying new shoes, make sure they come with a removable fabric insole. Purchase separately if they don’t to add a layer of protection. Smells are much harder to remove from the shoes themselves.
4. Dry as soon as you can
If your shoes get caught in a downpour, dry them immediately when you get home. Bacteria and musty smells have the chance to form if you delay. Dry them in a well-ventilated space, but don’t place them directly under or on a radiator. The intense heat can ruin the shape and damage the adhesive. It can also crack leather with prolonged exposure.
If you’re dealing with trainers, open out the tongues and remove the laces and insoles. Leave boots unzipped. You want to give your footwear the best chance to breathe. White fabric trainers can be dried in sunlight to speed up the process, and there’s the added benefit of bleaching from the UV rays, which can also help to kill any bacteria in the process.
GHI Tip: Filling your shoes with newspaper overnight can help absorb excess moisture and maintain the shape. Just remember to replace it if needed and remove completely the next day to continue drying.
5. Rotate your shoes
Your shoes need a chance to air and ventilate after they’ve been worn. That way, any residual moisture can escape, preventing bacterial growth. So try not to wear the same shoes day-in, day-out. Instead, rotate your shoes so each pair gets a breather, literally.
A shoe rack can help to organise your shoes if you need a better way to sort them. While they’re not in use, take the chance to deodorise them with bicarb.
6. Wear the right socks
Your choice of socks will make a difference to how you sweat. You might think cotton is the answer because of its breathability, but this actually retains heat, as well as moisture, which promotes bacteria. Instead, opt for light fabrics with moisture-wicking properties, such as Merino wool, bamboo and polyester.
7. Take care of your feet
There are powders and sprays you can apply directly to your feet to prevent foot odour, such as Boots Odour Control Foot Powder. In keeping your feet sweet-smelling, you’re keeping your shoes fresher for longer too.
Cleaning essentials for white trainers
Mr. Clean Original Erase and Renew Magic Eraser, Pack of 2
JUMP Shoe Polishing Brushes 2 Pieces Pack Set
SHOUT Shout Wipes
E-Cloth Starter Cleaning Pack, Microfibre 5 Cloth Set
