How to Get Rid of Smelly Shoes (and Keep the Odor From Coming Back)

The best way to get rid of smelly shoes is to address the moisture that allows odor-causing bacteria to thrive. Let your shoes dry completely between wears, rotate pairs when possible, wear clean moisture-managing socks, and keep your feet clean and dry. For shoes that already smell, cleaning or treating the insoles can also help.

Shoe odor is especially common in athletic shoes because workouts, walking, and sports can leave sweat trapped inside the shoe. The good news is that a few simple habits can make a big difference—and help keep the smell from returning.

How Can You Prevent Shoes From Smelling?

Preventing shoe odor is mostly about controlling moisture before it builds up inside your footwear.

Rotate Your Shoes

Try not to wear the same athletic shoes every day. Giving a pair time to air out and dry before wearing it again can help prevent moisture from continually building up inside the shoe.

This can be difficult when you have a favorite pair, but rotating between two pairs is particularly useful if you exercise frequently or sweat heavily.

Wear Clean, Moisture-Managing Socks

Socks create a layer between your feet and the inside of the shoe and help manage sweat. Change them after workouts or whenever they become damp rather than continuing to wear wet socks inside your shoes.

If you play tennis, pickleball, table tennis, or other court sports, you may also want to read my guide to grip socks for court sports to learn how different socks can affect fit and movement inside athletic shoes.

Choose Breathable Footwear When Possible

Breathability can also make a difference. Shoes that allow heat and moisture to escape are less likely to stay damp than footwear made from materials with very little ventilation.

After exercising, loosen the laces, open the shoe as much as possible, and let it dry before your next wear.

Materials are only one part of choosing the right footwear. My Sneakers Guide explains how fit, cushioning, materials, and intended use can help you choose the right type of sneaker.

Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes day after day. Give your shoes a breather by rotating between different pairs. I know this may be hard when you have a favorite pair of sneakers, but it’s a necessity.  This allows the shoes to air out and reduces moisture buildup.

How Do You Get the Smell Out of Shoes?

How Do You Get the Smell Out of Shoes?

If your shoes already smell, the goal is to remove moisture and reduce the buildup that’s causing the odor—not simply cover the smell with fragrance.

Let the Shoes Dry Completely

Start by giving the shoes time to dry. Remove them after your workout, loosen the laces, open the tongue, and place them somewhere with good airflow.

If the insoles are removable, take them out and allow them to dry separately. This helps moisture trapped underneath the insole escape as well.

Avoid putting damp athletic shoes straight into a gym bag or closed closet, where they may stay moist much longer.

Clean Removable Insoles

Insoles absorb a lot of sweat and can become one of the biggest sources of odor inside athletic shoes.

If your insoles are removable, take them out and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Make sure they’re completely dry before putting them back into the shoes.

If an insole remains strongly odorous or is badly worn even after cleaning, replacing it may make more sense than repeatedly treating the entire shoe.

Use an Odor-Absorbing Powder

A shoe or foot powder can help manage moisture and odor, particularly if sweaty feet are an ongoing problem.

Baking soda is also commonly used as an odor absorber. If you use it inside your shoes, apply a small amount and remove the excess before wearing them again rather than leaving loose powder inside the shoe.

Wash the Shoes Only If the Manufacturer Allows It

Some athletic shoes can be washed, but don’t assume every pair belongs in the washing machine.

Check the manufacturer’s care instructions first. Certain foams, adhesives, leather components, or other materials may require hand cleaning instead.

Whatever cleaning method you use, allow the shoes to dry completely before wearing them again.

If you’re dealing specifically with sports cleats, see my guide to cleaning cleats without damaging them for more specific cleaning tips.

Don’t Just Mask the Odor

Fragrances and essential oils may make a shoe smell different temporarily, but adding another scent doesn’t address trapped moisture or the underlying source of the odor.

Start with drying, cleaning, and moisture control. Those habits are more important than making the inside of the shoe smell perfumed.

What If Your Feet Are Causing the Shoe Odor?

Sometimes treating the shoes isn’t enough. If your feet are frequently sweaty, that moisture can quickly make freshly cleaned shoes smell again.

Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly before putting on socks and shoes. Pay particular attention to drying between your toes, where moisture can remain trapped.

If your socks become damp after exercise, change into a clean, dry pair rather than continuing to wear them. People who sweat heavily may also find a foot powder or antiperspirant helpful for controlling moisture.

When Should You Pay More Attention to Foot Odor?

Persistent foot odor can sometimes be associated with excessive sweating or a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot. If you also notice itching, peeling, cracking, redness, or other changes to the skin, the problem may not simply be your shoes.

If odor continues despite keeping your feet and footwear clean and dry, consider speaking with a pharmacist or healthcare professional rather than continually trying to deodorize the shoes.

Quick Guide: What Should You Do About Smelly Shoes?

Frequently Asked Questions About Smelly Shoes

Why do my shoes smell so bad?

Shoe odor often develops when sweat and moisture remain trapped inside your shoes. That creates an environment where odor-causing bacteria can thrive. Athletic shoes can be especially prone to this because workouts and sports generate additional heat and sweat.

How can I get rid of shoe odor overnight?

Start by removing the insoles if possible, opening the shoes up, and allowing everything to dry in a well-ventilated area. An odor-absorbing powder such as baking soda may also help with lingering smells, but heavily damp or dirty shoes may need cleaning and more time to dry completely.

Does baking soda remove odor from shoes?

Baking soda can help absorb moisture and odors inside shoes. Use a small amount and remove the excess before wearing the shoes again. If the odor keeps returning, also address the underlying moisture by drying the shoes thoroughly and rotating footwear when possible.

Can I wash smelly sneakers in the washing machine?

It depends on the shoe. Check the manufacturer’s care instructions before putting athletic shoes in a washing machine. Some materials, foams, adhesives, and leather components may require hand cleaning instead.

How do I keep gym shoes from smelling?

Let gym shoes dry completely after workouts, remove the insoles to dry separately when possible, wear clean moisture-managing socks, and avoid leaving damp shoes inside a closed gym bag. Rotating between pairs can also give each shoe more time to dry.

Why do my shoes still smell after I clean them?

Odor can return if moisture remains trapped in the shoes or insoles, or if sweaty feet repeatedly introduce moisture back into the footwear. Make sure the entire shoe is dry before wearing it again and address recurring foot perspiration as well as the shoes themselves.

Final Thoughts

Getting rid of smelly shoes usually comes down to moisture control rather than simply covering the odor with another scent.

Start with the basics: let your shoes dry completely, rotate pairs when possible, wear clean socks, and pay attention to removable insoles that may be holding moisture and odor. If the smell keeps coming back, don’t forget to consider whether sweaty feet are contributing to the problem.

A few consistent shoe-care habits can often do more than repeatedly trying to deodorize the same damp pair.

Related Shoe Care & Footwear Guides

• How to Clean Cleats Without Damaging Them – Learn how to remove dirt and buildup from sports cleats while protecting the materials.

• Sneakers Guide: How to Choose, Buy, and Wear the Right Pair – Learn more about sneaker fit, materials, cushioning, and choosing footwear for different activities.

• Best Grip Socks for Court Sports – See how grip socks can help reduce foot movement inside your shoes during quick stops and lateral movement.