How to get rid of bad smelling shoes

It’s a common problem.. a bad odor coming from your shoes that causes an unpleasant smell. If you ever played some kind of sports this might sound a bit too familiar. Maybe you’ve worn them for too long or didn’t clean them properly. How can you get rid of those nasty smells? You could throw your shoes in the washing machine, but they may not always come out better. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to make your shoes smell fresh again. We share three handy tips you may not have thought of.

Get rid of bad odors and foul smells

Both your shoes and your clothes can develop bad odors and foul smells. This can happen when you store them without drying first. So, here are three useful tips:

Clean your shoe smell with cat litter

If you have a cat, use cat litter to absorb the moisture. Simply place some in and on the shoes and let them sit overnight. The odor will likely be gone. Hide the shoes out of sight of your cat though or the smell might become worse after a nightly visit from your feline friend.

Let coffee pods absord the shoe smells

If you don’t have a cat but you do drink coffee you can get creative with the coffee pods. Use the coffee pods to absorb the moisture and neutralize the smell. They work wonders, just make sure to not use them for a pot of coffee afterwards!

Use baking soda or vinegar to clean your shoes

If the above tips don't work, try baking soda or vinegar. A layer of baking soda overnight should absorb the smells. For vinegar, mix it with some dish soap in a cup of water. Soak two clean cloths in the mixture and place them in the shoes overnight.

Make Your Shoes Smell Fresh Again

So if your shoes stink or have gum stuck on them, a few handy tips can solve it. Your shoes will be as good as new, to store or to wear fresh again.

If your shoes are beyond repair, or simply need replacing, we work with over 100 online stores. This ensures that you can always find a new pair of beautiful shoes online.

Make sure to read our other articles about shoe maintenance aswell:

• Step-by-step guide to cleaning suede shoes
• Step-by-step guide to cleaning leather shoes
• Why is impregnation spray important for your shoes?
• How to clean shoes made from mixed materials?
• How to maintain your shoes?