How to Stop New Shoes From Getting Stinky

You spend a lot of your hard-earned money on new shoes for your kids (and yourself), so naturally you want to keep them looking and smelling new for as long as possible. But sports, workouts, and even lots of walking can make those fresh kicks smell not-so-fresh very quickly! So, we’ve compiled some hacks to help you fend off that dreaded shoe funk for as long as possible.

Wear socks!

I know it can be tempting to wear your shoes sans-socks — and for some shoe types it’s pretty much necessary — but whenever possible, wear socks! Why? They’re a great protective layer between your feet and your shoes, and they absorb a lot of that sweat and foot odor that would otherwise get embedded in your new shoes. Plus, socks are a lot easier to wash than shoes are.

Store them in a dry, well-ventilated area

Good air movement is essential for keeping shoes fresh, because it helps dry them out and carries away odor particles. But, kids have a tendency to just leave their sweaty shoes sitting in their backpack or sports bag — or under a pile of clothes on their bedroom floor. When this happens their shoes can’t dry out, and that trapped moisture leads to stink! For maximum air flow, be sure to store new shoes on a well-spaced-out shoe rack, near an air vent, or even outside (as long as it’s not humid).

Remove insoles between uses

Did you know that most shoe insoles nowadays — particularly the ones that come with sports shoes — are removable? Moisture and odor can get trapped in that little space between the bottom of the insole and the sole of the shoe, so taking the insoles out will definitely help your shoes dry more thoroughly and prevent any sneaky pockets of odor. Some insoles are washable, too.

Stuff them with cedar blocks or paper

If your shoes are extra-moist, putting something inside them to help absorb the moisture can limit the odor that develops. Cedar blocks or shoe trees do a decent job of this by soaking up some sweat and imparting a light, cedar scent. In a pinch, you could also scrunch up some newspaper or paper towels and stuff your shoes with that. Of course, the best results will be seen by using an insert designed specifically for absorbing moisture and odor in shoes, such as our Odor Eliminator Pods.

Use powder

Sprinkling some shoe or foot powder in your shoes will help keep them fresh between uses. But also don’t underestimate the value of powdering your feet before even slipping into those new shoes! A good deodorizing powder, such as our 4-in-1 Body Powder, will neutralize that foot funk before it even has a chance to soak into your shoes, tackling the problem at the source.

Treat regularly with shoe spray

Sometimes no matter what you do, some pesky odor will set in. It’s frustrating, but normal. However, there are still actions you can take to get rid of it! A good shoe odor spray will neutralize any lingering bacteria in your shoes, and remove that stubborn odor along with it. There are many options on the market, but we’re of course partial to our very own Odor Eliminator Spray for its natural, chemical-free, and kid-safe approach to odor removal.

Give them a break

We know it can be tempting to wear new shoes almost non-stop, but one of the best things to do to keep them fresh is to give them a break! Alternating shoes and wearing your new pair every other day instead of every day will give them more time to dry out and freshen up before their next use. This approach will not only extend the life of your shoes, but also keep the stink away for as long as possible!