No matter how clean your feet are, your most-worn shoes and boots are likely to develop an odor over time. It’s a natural occurrence—harmless, yet unpleasant. Of course it can always help reduce smell, by wearing some types of sock or stockings in your shoes or boots, as naked feet tend to enhance the smell, but in time the smell will most likely occur anyway. We’d like to guide you to how to fix smelly shoes overnight using simple household items you probably already have in your kitchen. 

Interestingly, eliminating odors from shoes is similar to freshening up vintage clothing. At our shop, Vintage Divine in Aarhus, Denmark, when we receive a vintage dress or coat with a distinctive scent from years of wear, we follow a proven method to neutralize it. The same approach can be applied to shoes, and we’re here to share our expertise.

What You’ll Need:

• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Cornstarch
• White vinegar or vodka
• Optional: Essential oils

How to remove oder from shoes with Baking Soda

1. Combine 2 tablespoons of baking powder, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 4 tablespoons of cornstarch in a bowl.
2. If available, add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent.
3. Place the mixture into a sock and tie it securely.
4. Insert the sock into the shoe and leave it overnight.
5. By morning, the smell should be significantly reduced.

Tip: Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that absorbs odors and bacteria. We also use it to freshen vintage clothing by sprinkling it under the arms of dresses and letting it sit overnight.

How to remove oder from shoes with Vinegar or Vodka

1. Pour vodka or white vinegar into a spray bottle.
2. Lightly spray the interior of your shoes.
3. Allow them to air out overnight.
4. The odor should be greatly reduced by morning.

Why Vodka? It might seem unconventional, but vodka neutralizes odors without damaging delicate fabrics. We use this method in our shop for vintage clothing because it’s free of harsh chemicals found in modern cleaning products. It’s also a go-to solution in ballet, theater, and opera for refreshing costumes that can’t be washed. White vinegar works similarly, offering a gentle yet effective way to combat odors.

 

How to prevent your shoes and boots from getting smelly

There is a few steps you can take, before your shoes starts to smell, which can help postpone the bad oder. 

Wear your shoes and boots with socks or stockings. 

As mentioned earlier, it's always a good idea to wear socks or thinner stockings with your footwear to help prevent odor. Socks and stockings absorb moisture and smell, and they can be washed regularly, unlike bare feet. However, there are exceptions to this, such as sandals, where wearing socks or stockings may not be practical or appropriate. 

Let them regularly sit outside to refresh them

We hope this guide helps you banish unwanted smells from your favorite footwear, allowing you to step out with confidence—odor-free!

For more shoe care guides, you can read our tips on How to clean leather shoes and boots or How to break in leather shoes and boots.