How to Get Rid of a Stinky Shoe Smell in Boots

How to Treat Doc Martens With Mink Oil
Published: Aug 3, 2011
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
1 minute read
...
Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

It feels good to take your boots off and relax at the end of a long day, but if everyone else runs from the room, it's time to do something about your stinky shoes. Moisture from your feet, combined with bacteria, can really cause a smell in your shoes. Take steps to freshen your boots, and you can take them off and relax without embarrassment.

Place the shoes in a bag, then put in the freezer overnight. This kills most bacteria that contribute to odor.

Sprinkle baking soda into the boots, covering of the whole foot bed. Let the baking soda sit overnight, then shake out.

Pour cat litter into two old socks, and tie the tops. Place one in each stinky boot overnight. Cat litter absorbs smells and moisture.

Purchase and use shoe deodorizer spray or inserts. These can be found in any shoe store.

Powder your feet with odor- and moisture-absorbing foot powder before putting on your socks and boots. This helps prevent odor from forming.

Photo Credits

Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

Michelle Ullman

Living in California, Michelle Ullman is a professional writer with particular expertise in home, garden and pet/nature topics. Her work is published on many websites. She loves crafts and has a deep interest in design and DIY projects.

Sponsored
Our Everyday Life Logo

Explore our everyday life, the best source for food and drink tips, health and general wellness, healthy relationships and much more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.