5 Ways To Keep Shoes Smelling Fresh

Written by Beckett Simonon

Have you ever been to a friend’s house and they ask you to take your shoes off before walking on their carpet? If you have stinky shoes, that could be a real nightmare. Once you peel off your shoes, everyone is going to catch that unpleasant odor.

No one can escape the fact that every now and then your shoe is going to start smelling a little ripe. Our feet naturally sweat which causes our shoes to stink over time. Even though foot odor in shoes is difficult to avoid, there are plenty of steps you can take to manage the stink and keep it at bay.

How To Handle Shoe Smells

Smelly shoes can be controlled. Don’t let the stench of your own feet stress you out. Check out these 5 ways to keep shoes smelling fresh:

1. Shoe Sprays

A great way to have your shoes smelling great is to use a shoe odor spray on them. All you have to do is spray a little bit into your shoes at the end of the day. They’ll dry overnight and be smelling fresh by morning. Doing this after every wear can significantly help keep those shoe odors away.

Some sprays have chemicals in them that kill off the bacteria causing the stench to disappear. Others simply just smell nice and aren’t as effective. Be sure to read up on different sprays to know which one will work best for your shoe.

2. Switch It Up

Wearing the same shoe every day increases the chance of foot odor within the shoe. As a rule of thumb, it’s important to not wear the same shoe two days in a row. Doing this will give your shoe some time to breathe, have a break from your feet, and not get so foul.

That means you’ll have to own multiple pairs of shoes. If you really like the ones you have, you can always purchase multiple pairs of the same shoes.

But where’s the fun in that?

Having different shoes allows you to mix and match with your wardrobe and show off your style. Getting shoes that are neutral colors can be helpful when planning your wardrobe. Neutral color shoes can pair with pretty much any color suit, jeans, or pants.

3. Wool Dryer Balls

If you have any extra drying balls laying around, grab a few, and stuff your shoes with them. This is especially helpful for sweaty gym shoes. Gym shoes often spend a lot of time not only on our feet but also in a sweaty gym bag that can start to smell rather quickly. Adding a couple of dryer sheets inside your shoe as well as your gym bag can help keep things smelling fresh.

Dryer balls come in a variety of scents too. You can choose between citrus, cotton, floral, and so many others. You can get multiple uses out of just one dryer sheet, which means an entire box can last you a long time.

4. Wear Socks

Socks are a great way to manage shoe smells. Wearing socks helps soak up any foot sweat you produce rather than letting it just sit in your shoe. Socks can be easily washed while shoes cannot. It’s much easier to toss some socks into the washer than it is a leather shoe (we really don’t advise you to do that at all).

But let’s face it, some shoes really don’t look that great when worn with socks. Luckily, you can wear no-show socks. These kinds of socks only wrap around your front toe and heel so they aren’t poking up above your shoe. They still do a great job of keeping your shoe fresh while still keeping you stylish.

5. Wash Your Feet

Here’s the thing about sweat:

Sweat doesn’t actually smell unless it has something to latch onto. Once it does, bacteria begin to grow and that’s what causes the stench.

So, when washing your feet, do it thoroughly. Using an exfoliating scrub is going to do the best job at getting rid of any dead skin that bacteria could cling to. Regularly exfoliating will significantly help keep your feet from stinking and therefore, keep your shoes smelling fresh.

So don’t just run water over your feet or lightly scrub it with a bar of soap. Get in there, scrub those feet, and get rid of any lingering sweaty bacteria.

A Word of Warning: Moldy Shoes

Speaking of sweat, let’s talk about how to maintain your shoes to prevent them from molding.

Mold can grow in damp areas, which means a sweaty shoe is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to multiply. That’s why it’s important to keep up regular maintenance on your shoes to avoid the unfortunate situation of a molding shoe.

Moldy shoes not only stink but could also cause damage to your foot. If left unattended, the mold in your shoes could cause foot fungus and athlete's foot. So take care of your feet and take care of your shoes!

Beckett Simonon Blog

Want more? Check out these other blogs for shoe upkeep, style ideas, and more:

Best Dress Socks For Men

How To Clean Dress Shoes

The Complete Guide To Making Your Feet Happy