Imagine you come home exhausted after a long day of work, take off your shoes to relax, and suddenly notice an unpleasant odor. Although this situation is irritating, it's super common and happens to almost all of us at some point. But where does this smell come from? There are a few reasons: sweating, bacteria, moisture, or lack of ventilation in your shoes. The good news is that bad shoe smells can be treated easily by using a few simple methods. In this article, we will explain how to remove the shoes' smell and stop it from coming back.
Why Do Shoes Get Smelly?
There are lots of sweat glands in our feet – about 250,000. Therefore, it’s quite obvious that the moisture produced by them, together with the humid and closed environment of your shoes, results in a bad smell. Here is how that happens:
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Bacteria: Although sweat itself does not smell, the odor appears when bacteria (especially Brevibacterium and others) decompose sweat and dead skin and release sulphuric compounds.
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Synthetic materials: Socks made up of materials, such as nylon or polyester, along with shoes made of rigid foam, trap heat and moisture inside the shoe, causing your feet to be damp longer than they should be.
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Using the same shoes repeatedly: Repeating the same shoes daily, without letting them dry, will only ensure that the moisture remains inside and bacteria keep multiplying.
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Poor ventilation: Shoes with minimal or no ventilation create a warm, humid environment — the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
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Foot infections: Foot odor is oftentimes linked with fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
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Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis): Some people sweat more than others due to genetics, stress, hormones, or certain health conditions.
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Skipping sock changes: If you wear the same pair of socks for too long, sweat and bacteria build up throughout the day.
How to Remove the Shoes Smell
Most of these odor problems can be easily solved at home with the use of things you probably already have lying around. If you are now wondering how to remove the shoes smell, here are a few methods that work:
1. Baking soda soak
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can absorb excess moisture from your sneakers. Just put baking soda in your sneakers, let it stay overnight, and the next morning, shake them out.
2. Replace the Insoles
Maybe the problem isn’t the shoes but the insoles. If you’ve worn the same insoles for years, they could be the real cause of the odor, without you even knowing it. Swap them out, and you may be surprised at how much fresher your shoes feel afterward.
3. Wash your shoes
If your shoes are washable, then cleaning them is the best solution to remove the accumulated sweat, bacteria, and debris. Take out the shoelaces and the insoles, and use soap and water to clean the shoes. If they can be machine washed, use the delicate setting and cold water.
4. Freeze Your Sneakers
Put your sneakers in a bag and stick them overnight in the freezer. Cold temperatures slow down bacteria and can help reduce odor.
5. Sun-dry or use a UV sanitiser
The sun is a natural bacteria killer, so placing shoes in the sun for a few hours can do the trick. If sunlight is not available, you can use a UV shoe sanitiser indoors.
6. Wipe with Vinegar
Wipe the inside of your shoes with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, so it can help break down the smell rather than simply cover it up. Just be sure to let your shoes dry completely afterward so you don’t end up with a vinegar smell.
7. Essential Oils Like Tea Tree Oil
Adding a few drops of tea tree oil or any essential oil into the shoes can make them fragrant and antibacterial.
How to Prevent Shoe Smell
All of the things discussed above are quick fixes. But here are a few habits you can incorporate in daily life to prevent the smell:
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Rotate your shoes: It is not recommended to wear the same shoes two days in a row, especially if you work in a hot environment. Let them dry completely between wears.
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Choose moisture-wicking socks. Avoid materials that trap sweat against your skin.
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Wash and dry your feet properly: Ensure that you wash and dry your feet properly every day, including between your toes.
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Store your shoes properly: It’s best to store your shoes in cool, dry, and well-ventilated environments instead of keeping them in a humid area. Don’t stuff them in cupboards, cars, or gym bags.
The problem is that even if you do everything right, it can still be hard to stop odor if your job involves a lot of sweating or any type of heavy activity. And one of the main reasons is how the majority of shoes are made. Most shoes are made of thick foam glued together, which contributes to heat and humidity inside the shoes. Such conditions are perfect for the growth of the bacteria that cause bad smells.
This is where something like the Nexbie Aeroraise 3D-printed sneakers stands apart. It uses an open 3D-printed lattice structure, basically a web-like pattern of interconnected material with tiny gaps running throughout, instead of one dense solid block. These small gaps let air pass through the structure. When you walk, air can move through the shoe instead of becoming trapped inside. This means bacteria have less of the damp environment they need to build up and cause odor.
A few other design choices help with this too:
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It’s water-resistant and quick-draining, so moisture doesn’t sit around, meaning you don’t have to wait until the next day to wear them again.
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The entire shoe is 3D-printed as one piece, with no glue. Glued seams are common in traditional shoes, and these seams can develop small gaps where sweat and bacteria accumulate over time.
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The material itself is PVC/EVA-free, so you avoid the trapped plastic smell that dense foam shoes can develop the longer you wear them.
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They are also machine washable, so it’s easy to give them a proper clean when they need it.
One customer even mentioned buying a pair for her husband, who deals with sweaty, smelly feet on a regular basis, and that the odor issue improved once he switched to these.
FAQs
Q：How to instantly remove bad smell from shoes?
A：For a quick fix, place a dryer sheet or a few drops of tea tree oil in each shoe and leave them for a few hours. While it will not solve the underlying cause, it can be effective if you are in hurry.
Q：How to remove the shoes smell without washing?
A: There are many options, like using baking soda, activated charcoal inserts, or drying in the sun. Sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes overnight, or place a charcoal pouch inside to help absorb odor and moisture.
Q：Can I use baking soda in my shoes?
A: Baking soda is completely safe and a really effective method for removing odor. Sprinkle a small amount inside the shoes and let it sit overnight; it will absorb moisture and bad smell.
Q：Why do my shoes smell so bad even after washing?
A: Washing shoes removes the outer dirt; however, insoles are often overlooked even though they absorb a lot of sweat and bacteria over time. If the smell persists, the insoles or shoe material may be the real problem.
Conclusion
Shoe odor is annoying, but it’s usually not a complicated problem once you figure out what’s really causing it. Sweat itself doesn’t smell; bacteria do. The good news is that most fixes are easy and don’t require anything fancy, from baking soda to a few hours in the sun. That said, if you’re fighting the same battle no matter what you try, it might be worth looking at the shoe itself. Better airflow and quick-drying materials, like those used in the Nexbie Aeroraise, can help address the conditions that cause odor.
