Tired of smelly shoes after a long day? Here’s how baking soda and vinegar can be your best friends to get rid of the odor

You know the moment: you take off your shoes after a long day, and the smell seems to hit you before you even have time to sit down. You check your socks, sniff the shoes, and wonder, how did they get this bad? Why do shoes seem to hold on to odors even after they have been sitting untouched? Don’t worry. Smelly shoes are a common problem, and there are several simple ways to deal with the odor. You can start by letting your shoes air out, but when that isn’t enough, it may be time to reach for two simple household staples: baking soda and white vinegar.

Start by Airing Out Your Shoes

Before tackling a stubborn odor, give your shoes a chance to dry completely. Avoid leaving sneakers in a locker, car trunk, or closet, where damp, warm and dark conditions can allow odor-causing bacteria to thrive. Instead, place your shoes in a well-ventilated area and let them dry fully every time you wear them.


If you cannot air them out right away, a mesh gym bag can provide more ventilation and help your sneakers dry out a little more. But if the odor is still hanging around, baking soda is a simple next step.

Baking Soda Can Help Get the Smell Out

Baking soda can help manage shoe odor by reducing humidity inside the shoes. You can make simple baking soda sachets at home with just a few items. You will need: Baking soda, two 6-by-6-inch pieces of cloth, essential oils, if desired, a rubber band or hair tie

Place about half cup of baking soda in the center of each piece of cloth. Secure each sachet with a rubber band or hair tie so the baking soda stays inside. When you are not wearing your shoes, put one sachet inside each sneaker. The baking soda can reduce humidity inside the shoes, helping prevent the conditions that allow stink-causing bacteria to propagate while also helping remove bad smells.

How Baking Soda and Vinegar Can Tackle Tough Shoe Odors

First, sprinkle your sneakers with baking soda and let them sit for a while. Next, prepare a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the shoes with the mixture. The baking soda and vinegar can work against the bacteria contributing to the unpleasant smell. After spraying, use a clean cloth to wipe away any remaining water droplets from the sneakers. Then let the shoes sit overnight and dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated room before wearing them again.


Keep the Odor From Coming Back


Getting rid of a bad smell is one thing, but keeping your shoes fresh requires regular care. Let your shoes dry completely after wearing them, clean removable insoles when necessary, and use baking soda sachets when your sneakers are not in use.

And before trying any cleaning method, make sure you know what your shoes are made of. Cloth, mesh, rubber, foam, leather and suede can each have different cleaning needs. With proper maintenance, cleaning and care, your favorite shoes can stay in your rotation for years, without the lingering odor.