How to Deodorize Shoes and Keep Them Smelling Fresh

We ask a lot of our favorite shoes. From morning commutes and busy school days to workouts and weekend plans, all that wear can eventually leave even a much-loved pair smelling less than fresh.

The good news? A little regular care can make a big difference. Start by tackling the moisture that builds up inside your shoes, then give your footwear time to dry properly between wears.

Here, we’ll take you through how to deodorize shoes and get the smell out for good, from simple everyday habits to using baking soda and caring for leather footwear.

Why Do Shoes Start to Smell?

Warm, damp shoes can create an ideal environment for odor-causing bacteria. Feet naturally sweat, and when that moisture becomes trapped inside footwear, bacteria can multiply and leave behind an unpleasant smell.

That’s why the fix isn’t simply covering an odor with something more fragrant. Keeping footwear clean – and, importantly, giving it a chance to fully dry – is how to get the smell out of shoes and leave your favorite pairs feeling fresher for longer.

The Best Way to Deodorize Shoes

There's no single solution for every shoe or material, but a few simple care habits can help you deodorize shoes and keep unwanted smells at bay.

1. Air Your Shoes After Wearing Them

First things first: give them some air.

Instead of putting shoes straight into a closed closet, gym bag or locker after wearing them, leave them somewhere well ventilated so they can dry completely. Try to do this after every wear: odor-causing bacteria thrive in warm, damp, dark spaces, so a few hours somewhere airy makes a real difference.

If the insoles are removable, taking them out while the shoes air can also help moisture escape. Only remove insoles designed to come out.

2. Deodorize Shoes with Baking Soda

Baking soda is an everyday household staple, and it can absorb unwanted odors from footwear.

There are two easy methods. Sprinkle baking soda directly into your shoes and leave it for at least 24 hours, or fill a pair of thin socks or small fabric sachets, tie them closed and leave one in each shoe overnight.

Using a sachet or sock has one obvious advantage: there's less powder to clean out of your shoes afterward.

Before using any home treatment, consider the footwear's material and care instructions. What works for one pair won't necessarily be right for another.

3. Clean Removable Insoles

Sometimes the source of an unwanted smell is right under your feet.

Insoles can hold on to moisture, so cleaning removable ones can help when odors linger. Hand-wash them gently with soap and cool water, then leave them to dry fully in a well-ventilated room.

Don't pull out an insole that's permanently attached to the shoe, and make sure removable insoles are completely dry before putting them back in.

4. Reach for a Shoe Refresher

For an easy addition to your shoe-care routine, choose a refresher made specifically for footwear.

The Clarks Shoe Care Kit includes cleaner, protector, refresher and a cleaning brush to help clean, refresh and protect your shoes. The Shoe Refresh can be sprayed generously after wear to neutralize odors. For particularly dirty insoles, it can also be sprayed over the footbed before cleaning with a nylon brush, wiping away excess moisture and dirt and allowing the shoes to dry completely.

Shop the Clarks Shoe Care Kit.

5. Keep Feet and Socks Fresh, Too

Fresh shoes start with fresh feet. Washing and thoroughly drying your feet, changing socks regularly and getting out of damp footwear after exercise can all help reduce the moisture that ends up inside your shoes. Wash socks after every wear, and dry between your toes properly after washing.

Simple, but effective.

How to Get Bad Smells Out of Shoes

If airing alone isn't doing the job, it's time to give your footwear a little more attention.

Start by checking the shoe's care instructions and material. Leather, suede, fabric, mesh and synthetic footwear can all require different treatment, so avoid jumping straight to soaking or scrubbing a pair without knowing how the material should be cared for.

The table below is a quick guide to what works best on what – and, just as usefully, what to keep away from each material. Regular care is always easier than waiting until a smell becomes stubborn.

For step-by-step methods for each of these materials, including sneakers, boots and suede, read our full guide on how to clean shoes.

How to Deodorize Leather Shoes

Leather needs a little extra care, and shouldn’t automatically be treated the same way as fabric sneakers.

Start by allowing your shoes to air naturally after wear. If they need cleaning, choose products intended for leather rather than experimenting with harsh household cleaners that could affect the material.

Always use products designed for the material you’re treating. For fine leather footwear, Clarks offers Moisture Balm to clean, nourish and condition the leather, while shoe-care products such as Shoe Refresh can help tackle unwanted odors.

Whichever product you're using, follow its individual directions and let the shoes dry properly before wearing them again.

For a full routine, read our guide to cleaning and maintaining leather shoes.

How to Make Shoes Not Smell in the First Place

When it comes to shoe odor, prevention can make your care routine much easier.

If you can, rotate between pairs. Giving each one a full day to air before its next outing does more for shoe odor than almost anything you can spray on them – and it spreads the wear, so both pairs last longer.

And keep an eye – or nose – on those insoles. If removable insoles continue to smell even after appropriate cleaning and drying, it may be time to replace them. Insoles absorb and hold moisture over months of wear, which makes them a common source of a smell that keeps coming back.

Shoe Odor FAQs

How can I neutralize the odor in my shoes?

Neutralizing an odor means removing what’s causing it rather than covering it up. Dry your shoes fully in a well-ventilated spot first, then treat them with a product made for footwear – the Clarks Shoe Refresh is designed to eliminate bad smells after wear and is included in the Clarks Shoe Care Kit. If the odor comes back within a day or two, the insoles are usually the culprit.

What is the best odor eliminator for shoes?

The right option depends on the shoe and its material. A dedicated shoe refresher offers a straightforward solution because it's designed specifically for footwear. Baking soda is another commonly recommended option for suitable shoes because it can help absorb odors.

Do dryer sheets deodorize shoes?

Dryer sheets may temporarily add fragrance to shoes, but they mask a smell rather than removing what’s causing it – and they do nothing about the trapped moisture behind the problem.

If you want to neutralize rather than simply mask unwanted smells, we'd recommend sticking to care methods and products suitable for your shoe's material.

What can I spray in my shoes to make them smell good?

Choose a refresher designed for footwear rather than a household air freshener or body spray, which can stain some materials and only masks the smell. Clarks Shoe Refresh is formulated to neutralize odors and can be sprayed generously after each wear – just let your shoes dry completely before putting them back on.

Does putting soap in shoes work?

A dry bar of soap left in each shoe overnight is a well-known home remedy, and it can help mask a mild smell. It won’t do anything about trapped moisture, though, and it isn’t suitable for every material – so for a pair you want to keep looking its best, we’d favor products designed specifically for footwear.

How to wear mules without them smelling?

Because mules are often worn without socks, keeping both your feet and footwear dry is especially useful. Make sure your feet are clean and thoroughly dry before putting your shoes on, and give the mules plenty of time to air after each wear.

For a little extra freshness, use a shoe refresher that's appropriate for the material and allow it to dry completely before wearing the shoes again.

Fresh Shoes, Ready for Whatever's Next

Getting the smell out of shoes usually comes down to a few straightforward habits: let moisture escape, clean your footwear appropriately and use care products made for the job.

The Clarks Shoe Care Kit brings together the cleaner, protector and refresher you need to keep every pair in good shape. From everyday sneakers to leather favorites, giving shoes a little attention between wears can help them stay fresher and ready for whatever you've got planned next.