Whether you work in a hot and sweaty environment, spend lot of time exercising, or simply have genetics that make you more prone to smelly feet, removing odor can be tough once it's had time to sink into your shoes. But rest assured, there's no need to trash your favorite sneakers just because you don't know how to get rid of shoe odor. Below, I've listed the best tips and tricks for managing shoe smells. Most involve either one or both of the following elements:
Odor neutralization: Lots of the methods below neutralize odors by manipulating pH levels or using antimicrobial substances to fight the bacteria and fungi that cause unpleasant smells. They typically involve applying a substance (like essential oil, baking soda, or even black tea) and letting it sit in your shoes for an hour or more.
Moisture management: Another strategy for reducing odor is to dry out your shoes if they're damp or wet, or use items that absorb moisture and prevent bacteria from thriving. Activated charcoal bags work great for soaking up moisture, though if you regularly come home with wet shoes from rain, snow, or other elements, it might be worth investing in a boot dryer.
With all this in mind, take a look at the tips and product recommendations below to learn how to get rid of shoe odor once and for all.
We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.