How to Freshen Sneakers

Clean feet and socks help prevent sneaker odors.

Sneakers are worn at work and play, through rain showers and on hikes through muddy streams. The accumulated mixture of moisture, dirt and sweat leads to smelly sneakers that must be cleaned, stored outdoors or discarded. Many varieties of sneakers are not machine washable and require manual cleaning and deodorizing. But removing unwanted odors from your favorite cloth or leather sneakers is easily accomplished with household products.

Things You'll Need

• Zippered plastic bag
• 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
• Unwanted toothbrush
• Soft cloth
• Paper towel or newspaper
• Baking soda
• Garbage can

Instructions

1. Remove the shoestrings and throw them in with a load of laundry or freeze them overnight in a zippered plastic bag to remove odors.

2. Mix 1 teaspoon dish soap with 3 cups warm water. Dip an old toothbrush into the soapy water and scrub the outside of the sneakers.

3. Wipe down the outside of the sneakers with a soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture. Set the shoes on a paper towel or newspaper and allow them to dry fully.

4. Sprinkle the inside of each shoe with a light layer of baking soda. Pull back the tongues of the sneakers to help the baking soda cover the entire insole.

5. Allow the sneakers to sit for eight hours or overnight. The baking soda will absorb any unwanted odors found inside the shoes.

6. Hold the sneakers upside down over a garbage can and tap the bottoms to remove the baking soda.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the label of your sneakers for specific cleaning suggestions and requirements.

• Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes every day to help keep them free from odors.

References

• Housekeeping Here; Eliminating Smells From Shoes-How to Remove Smells From Shoes
• How to Clean Stuff; How to Clean Sneakers