How to Keep Shoes and Sneakers From Smelling

Once in a while, almost everyone experiences that embarrassing moment when your empty shoe becomes a machine of foul smelling odor. Smelly feet are a common cause of unpleasant shoe odors, but other conditions unrelated to your feet may cause your shoes to stink. A range of solutions exist, from attacking multiple causes of shoe smell to simply masking the odor.

Things You'll Need

• Insoles
• Wicking socks
• Foot powder
• Antibacterial soap
• Odor eaters

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Instructions

• 1

  Clean your feet to reduce the possibility that your feet are the source of the foul aroma. Wash your feet with antibacterial soap and dry them thoroughly before wearing shoes or socks. Damp environments grow bacteria and bacteria causes odor, making sweaty, dirty feet the ultimate stink source.

• 2

  Choose shoes that let your feet breath. Consider wearing breathable, natural fibers like leather instead of plastic, or sneakers with thin mesh tops.

• 3

  Place inserts in the soles of your shoes and change them as needed. The inserts absorb the odor of your feet. Changing the inserts every few weeks will help to keep your shoes smelling fresh.

• 4

  Dry your shoes out whenever possible. Air your shoes out at the end of each day by a cool window or near a fan to reduce moisture, which can lead to bacteria growth and shoe odor. If you step in a puddle or get caught in the rain, let your shoes dry completely before wearing them again.

• 5

  Rotate your shoes instead of wearing the same pair every day. Place a shoe deodorizer in the ball of the shoe on the off days. The deodorizer helps freshen the scent and absorb excess moisture.

• 6

  Sprinkle foot powder inside the soles of your shoes and in your socks before wearing them. Foot powder absorbs sweat, which causes bacteria growth and odor.