Reading time: 5 min | Last updated: 03 July 2025
It’s time to tackle a problem that many people face: smelly shoes. Your feet go through a lot – after all, you use them all day long! Let’s not sugar-coat it: walking around for hours leads to sweaty feet, and nobody enjoys that. If this happens often, the smell can seep into your shoes. The result? Smelly shoes – and no one wants that. So, let’s get rid of them quickly! In this blog, we’ll give you tips to freshen up smelly shoes. We’ll also share how to prevent them in the future. As the saying goes: prevention is better than cure, right?
Smelly shoes are usually caused by bacteria. Bacteria thrive in warm, damp environments – and your shoes are the perfect breeding ground after a long day. Sweat builds up, especially when walking or standing, and this creates the ideal conditions for bacteria to grow and create odours. Sound familiar? Time to take action!
At Wolky, we love a good home remedy. Simple solutions with things you probably already have at home. The same goes for smelly shoes – here are some of our favourites:
Tip 1 | Air them out
One of the best ways to banish bad smells is to air out your shoes after wearing them. Moisture can then escape and your shoes can dry properly. Good news: most Wolky shoes come with a removable footbed – take it out after wearing to air it out too. This is good for both the shoes and the footbed. Do you use your own insoles in your Wolkys? Remove those as well!
Tip 2 | Freeze your shoes
Sounds odd, but it works! Put your shoes in a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight. The cold kills the bacteria causing the odour.
Tip 3 | Baking soda and smelly shoes
Baking soda and smelly shoes are the perfect combination! Baking soda is brilliant for absorbing smells. Sprinkle a little into your shoes, leave it overnight, then shake it out the next morning. No more smelly shoes! You might need to repeat this if the odour comes back.
Tip 4 | Vinegar rinse
Vinegar might smell strong, but it neutralises other odours. Mix equal parts water and vinegar and spray or wipe the inside of your shoes. Let them dry thoroughly – preferably for a couple of days.
Tip 5 | Coffee or tea bags
Coffee beans are great at neutralising odours – that’s why you often see them in perfume shops. Fill a sock with coffee grounds or use a coffee pod and pop it in your shoe overnight. Not a coffee fan? Tea bags work too – just don’t forget to take them out before you wear your shoes!
Tip 6 | Cat litter isn’t just for cats
Cat litter absorbs moisture and neutralises smells. Pop some in a sock and place it in your shoe overnight. Just make sure your cat doesn’t get confused…
Tip 7 | Washing machine
We’re not huge fans of washing shoes in the machine – it can damage glue, soles and materials. But if you do want to try: (1) brush off any dirt, (2) put your shoes in a wash bag or pillowcase, (3) add a few towels to soften the impact, (4) wash on a delicate cycle, (5) let them dry at room temperature for several days.
Got rid of the smell? Brilliant! Now let’s keep your shoes fresh. Avoid smelly shoes with these tips.
Tip 1 | Buy quality materials
High-quality shoes (like Wolkys!) help prevent smells. Leather, in particular, breathes better than synthetic materials. Our shoes often have a leather lining too – great for freshness!
Tip 2 | Replace insoles regularly
You can buy replacement footbeds from Wolky. This is handy because the smell often sticks to the insole. A fresh footbed = fresher shoes.
Tip 3 | Wear cotton socks
Natural fibres like cotton absorb moisture better than synthetic materials, keeping your feet drier.
Tip 4 | Wash your feet regularly
An obvious one, but still important. Clean, dry feet are less likely to develop bacteria and odours. Don’t forget to dry them properly too!
Tip 5 | Clean your shoes
Give your shoes a clean now and then to remove dirt and help them breathe. Cleaner shoes = fresher feet.
Tip 6 | Rotate your shoes
Don’t wear the same pair every day. Rotate them to give each pair time to air out and dry properly.
Shoe deodorants don’t just mask smells – they neutralise them and tackle bacteria. Some even reduce sweating. Also handy: shoe trees (especially cedar wood ones). They absorb moisture and help keep shoes in shape. Use them after every wear for best results.
Smelly shoes are often caused by sweaty feet. If that’s your issue, check out our blog on sweaty feet for more tips. Solve the sweat and you’ll solve the smell too!
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