How to Get Mildew Smell From Tennis Shoes

Use vinegar to disinfect and deodorize tennis shoes.

If you leave your favorite pair of tennis shoes in a warm, humid area for an extended period, you soon may be horrified to smell an odor from mildew. Mildew not only smells bad, but it can aggravate allergies in some individuals. To avoid this health risk, you must kill the mildew in your tennis shoes. Once you do so, you will remove the associated foul smell as well.

Things You'll Need

• Vinegar
• Toothbrush

Instructions

1. Scrub off any visible mildew spots with a dry toothbrush. Do this outdoors to avoid aggravating allergies.

2. Immerse the shoes in white vinegar for 30 minutes.

3. Shake as much vinegar as you can from the shoes, then place them in a well-ventilated, sunny area outdoors.

4. Keep the shoes outdoors for approximately eight hours or until they are completely dry.

References

• University of Georgia: Mildew Prevention and Removal
• "How the Queen Cleans Everything"; Linda Cobb; 2002