Home remedies to get rid of disgusting smells from smelly shoes. We have the best tips for you on how to easily get rid of the unpleasant smell in leather shoes, sneakers, and sports shoes!

Foot odor is individual, both the smell itself and its intensity. Some people sweat faster, others less quickly, some never wear shoes without socks and some prefer to wear them barefoot. However, everyone knows that at least one pair of sports shoes smells unpleasant at some point. We have collected the best tips on how to remove the smell from the smelly shoes and wear them with a good feeling again!

By the way, white shoes need special care when cleaning, which is why we have discussed them in a separate article. You will also find many more tips on the subject of shoes, for example how to widen shoes, which shoes fit best with hallux valgus, and how you can take care of your feet for the summer.

1) Wash sports shoes

Many sports shoes, slippers, and fabric shoes can simply be put in the washing machine. Then the shoes look like new afterward. Coarse dirt should be removed first, sometimes it is enough to knock out the shoes, otherwise, a brush or a damp cloth will help. You can then wash the pre-cleaned shoes on a delicate cycle (lower degree and spin speed). Then you should dry the shoes well, either in the sun or with the help of a newspaper (very absorbent!) that you stuff into the shoes. If the weather is not good outside, it is best to place them under a heater to dry.

2) Smelly shoes in the freezer

Another way to remove bad odors is to cool down the affected shoes, either in constant sub-zero temperatures outside on the terrace or balcony or in the freezer. Simply put the shoes in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer. After a few hours, the bacteria will be killed and the musty smell will disappear.

3) Cat litter against sweaty shoes

Athletes think a lot of this home remedy for sweaty feet and unpleasant odors in sport’s shoes: cat litter sucks the moisture out of the shoes and binds unpleasant odors. The cat litter beads can be conveniently poured out again after allowing them to act for a long time. You can also put cat litter in old nylon tights. Then place the filled nylon stocking in the welding shoes overnight.

4) Baking soda for smelly shoes

You can also use baking soda to deodorize smelly shoes. Baking soda binds and dries the stinking moisture in the shoes. For this method, simply sprinkle baking soda into the shoes and leave for hours (overnight). The household remedy baking powder dries out the damp inner sole and binds unpleasant shoe odors. After hours of knocking out your shoes.

5) Let shoes dry

Shoes should always be dried if they have been worn for a long time. This works well in the fresh air or in the sun, for example. Because the moisture in the shoes in particular can promote the formation of odors. The bacteria can also multiply much better in a moist environment. This is particularly relevant in winter and during the wet season. Then it is best to dry the shoes on the heater after wearing them.

6) Avoid smelly shoes in the future

To avoid smelly shoes in the first place, we have also collected the most important tips for you on how to avoid odors forming in your favorite shoes:

• Change socks daily and preferably wear cotton socks.
• Wash your feet regularly.
• Take your feet out of your shoes from time to time and let them air out vigorously.
• Always let shoes dry after wearing them.
• Use foot deodorant if your feet sweat a lot. (Available in drugstores.)
• Use leather soles in shoes.