How to Remove Smell from Shoes

Smelly shoes can be embarrassing, especially when the odour remains even after you stop wearing them. Whether you use sports shoes, sneakers, formal shoes or everyday footwear, trapped sweat and moisture can gradually create an unpleasant smell.

If you are wondering how to remove smell from shoes, the good news is that many cases can be managed with proper drying, cleaning and regular shoe care.

However, every footwear material is different. A cleaning method that works for canvas sneakers may damage leather, suede or premium shoes. This guide explains practical ways to remove shoe odour safely, why shoes develop bad smells and when a professional shoe cleaning service may be the better choice.

Why Do Shoes Smell Bad?

Before learning how to remove smell from shoes, it helps to understand where the smell comes from.

Your feet naturally produce sweat. When moisture gets trapped inside closed footwear, bacteria can contribute to unpleasant odour. Wearing the same damp shoes repeatedly may make the problem worse.

According to the NHS guidance on smelly feet, common causes include sweat and bacteria, while fungal conditions such as athlete's foot can sometimes contribute as well.

Common reasons for shoe odour include:

• Excessive sweating
• Wearing shoes for long hours
• Damp or wet footwear
• Wearing the same shoes every day
• Dirty or wet insoles
• Poor ventilation
• Socks that retain moisture
• Bacteria accumulating around the feet
• Fungal foot infections in some cases

Keeping both feet and footwear clean and dry can therefore make a significant difference.

1. Allow Your Shoes to Dry Completely

One of the easiest steps for how to remove smell from shoes is to make sure the footwear dries completely between uses.

After wearing your shoes for several hours, do not immediately place them inside a closed shoe rack.

Instead:

• Remove the insoles.
• Loosen the laces.
• Open the tongue of the shoe.
• Leave the footwear in a well-ventilated area.
• Allow the inside to become completely dry.

The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends alternating shoes when possible so that footwear has enough time to dry before being worn again.

2. Remove and Clean the Insoles

Insoles absorb sweat and can become one of the main sources of persistent shoe odour.

If the manufacturer permits washing, remove the insoles and clean them separately using a mild cleaning solution.

Let them dry completely before putting them back inside the footwear.

Never reinstall damp insoles because trapped moisture can quickly cause unpleasant smells to return.

For expensive or specialised insoles, always check the manufacturer's care instructions before washing.

3. Use Baking Soda Carefully

Baking soda is commonly used as a household deodorising agent.

For compatible footwear, you can place a small amount inside completely dry shoes and leave it overnight. Remove all the powder thoroughly before wearing the shoes again.

Another method is to put baking soda inside a breathable pouch or clean piece of cloth and leave it inside the shoes overnight.

This prevents direct contact between the powder and delicate footwear materials.

Important: Avoid experimenting with powders or household cleaning solutions on suede, premium leather or specially coated footwear.

For expensive footwear, consider using Laundrywala's professional shoe cleaning service rather than taking the risk of damaging the material.

4. Wash Washable Shoes Properly

If you are researching how to remove smell from shoes, washing may seem like the obvious solution. However, not every shoe should be washed in the same way.

Some canvas, fabric and sports shoes may tolerate washing, while leather, suede and structured footwear usually require specialised care.

Before washing:

1. Check the manufacturer's care instructions.
2. Remove loose dirt using a soft brush.
3. Remove the laces and insoles.
4. Use a mild footwear-compatible cleaner.
5. Clean the upper and sole gently.
6. Remove cleaning residue.
7. Allow the shoes to dry completely.

You can also read Laundrywala's detailed guide on how to clean your sneakers for additional sneaker-care instructions.

5. Clean Shoe Insoles and Laces Separately

Laces and insoles are frequently overlooked during shoe cleaning.

Dirty laces may not produce as much odour as insoles, but cleaning all removable components gives better overall results.

For washable laces:

• Remove them from the shoes.
• Wash using mild detergent.
• Rinse properly.
• Dry completely before replacing them.

For insoles, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

If an insole remains heavily worn, damaged or odorous after cleaning, replacing it may be more practical.

6. Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry

Sometimes recurring shoe odour originates partly from sweaty feet rather than the footwear alone.

Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly, particularly between your toes.

Wear fresh socks every day and change sweaty socks after workouts or long periods of activity.

The Mayo Clinic recommends keeping feet clean and dry, changing socks regularly and rotating footwear to help reduce moist conditions around the feet.

Breathable or moisture-wicking socks may also help control moisture inside shoes.

7. Avoid Wearing the Same Shoes Every Day

One of the simplest ways to prevent recurring odour is footwear rotation.

If you wear the same pair continuously, the inside of the shoe may not have enough time to dry properly.

For example:

Day 1: Pair ADay 2: Pair BDay 3: Pair A after it has completely dried

You do not necessarily need a large shoe collection. The aim is simply to give frequently worn footwear enough time to ventilate.

8. Keep Shoes in a Ventilated Storage Area

Where you store footwear matters.

Avoid placing sweaty shoes immediately inside:

• Closed plastic bags
• Airtight boxes
• Gym bags
• Poorly ventilated cabinets

Instead, allow your shoes to air out first.

Keep your shoe rack dry and ventilated and periodically clean areas where footwear is stored.

9. Clean White Shoes According to Their Material

White shoes can develop both visible dirt and unpleasant smells.

Different materials require different cleaning techniques. For example, leather, mesh and canvas should not automatically be treated in the same way.

If your shoes are white, read Laundrywala's guide on how to clean white shoes at home before attempting deeper cleaning.

Material-specific care can help prevent problems such as:

• Yellowing
• Colour changes
• Shrinkage
• Damaged adhesives
• Surface cracking
• Loss of shape

10. Be Careful With Leather and Suede Shoes

The safest approach to how to remove smell from shoes depends heavily on the shoe material.

Leather and suede require considerably more care than ordinary washable sneakers.

Excessive water, aggressive scrubbing and unsuitable household chemicals may affect:

• Texture
• Colour
• Finish
• Shape
• Surface coating

Avoid soaking leather or suede shoes in water.

For premium leather, suede, designer sneakers or expensive footwear, professional cleaning may be safer than experimenting with DIY treatments.

Laundrywala provides professional shoe cleaning for sneakers, sports shoes, leather footwear, suede shoes, formal footwear and other shoe types.

When Home Remedies Are Not Enough

Knowing how to remove smell from shoes can help with mild everyday odour, but stubborn smells may require deeper cleaning.

Professional shoe cleaning may be useful when:

• Shoes still smell after repeated home cleaning.
• Insoles have a strong persistent odour.
• Footwear contains deep stains and dirt.
• Shoes are made from leather or suede.
• Premium sneakers need material-specific care.
• You are worried about damaging the colour.
• Shoes need deep cleaning as well as deodorising.

Instead of treating every pair in the same way, professionals can select the cleaning method according to the footwear material.

Professional Shoe Cleaning by Laundrywala

Laundrywala offers professional footwear care for different shoe types, including:

• Sports shoes
• Sneakers
• Leather shoes
• Suede shoes
• Formal footwear
• Boots
• Heels
• Sandals

Explore Laundrywala Shoe Cleaning Services for deep cleaning, dirt removal and specialised footwear care.

If you also need garment or household cleaning, explore Laundrywala's complete laundry and dry-cleaning services.

For delicate garments and premium clothing, you can also visit the professional dry cleaning service.

How to Prevent Shoe Smell From Coming Back

Once you understand how to remove smell from shoes, prevention becomes easier.

Follow these habits:

• Wear clean socks every day.
• Change socks after heavy exercise.
• Allow footwear to dry completely before reuse.
• Rotate between different pairs of shoes.
• Remove and air out insoles regularly.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Store shoes in a ventilated area.
• Clean footwear before odour becomes severe.
• Avoid leaving wet sports shoes inside gym bags.
• Get premium footwear professionally cleaned when required.

These habits can reduce the moisture and conditions that contribute to recurring shoe odour.

Common Shoe-Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Wearing Damp Shoes

Wearing shoes while the interior is still damp can encourage odour to return.

Using Too Much Perfume

Perfume or fragrance may temporarily hide the smell but does not necessarily address the underlying moisture or hygiene issue.

Washing Every Shoe in a Machine

Leather, suede and many structured footwear styles may not be suitable for machine washing.

Always follow the care instructions for the specific pair.

Using Excessive Heat

High heat may damage adhesives, distort the shape or affect some shoe materials.

Air drying according to the manufacturer's instructions is generally safer.

Ignoring Insoles

Your shoes may look clean externally while the insoles continue to hold sweat and odour.

Always inspect removable insoles during cleaning.

Can Shoe Smell Be Related to Athlete's Foot?

Sometimes persistent foot or shoe odour occurs alongside a fungal infection.

The American Academy of Dermatology's athlete's foot prevention guide explains that fungi thrive in warm, moist environments and recommends keeping feet dry and changing socks when they become wet.

The Mayo Clinic's athlete's foot guide also explains common symptoms such as itching, peeling, cracking or burning skin.

If you have persistent odour together with itching, redness, cracking, peeling or other foot symptoms, consider seeking advice from a qualified healthcare professional.