9 Tips To Keep Your Shoes from Stinking .

Are you bothered by the subtle but growing smell coming from your shoes and feet? Foot smell could be caused by any number of things: overuse of one pair of shoes, bacterial or fungal infection, or lack of aeration, among others. If you want to be rid of that tangy, musky, foul smell coming from your nice kicks, look no further. Read on for a discussion of how to keep your shoes from stinking.

1) Baking Soda

Deodorize with baking soda. Sprinkle a bit into your shoes every night when you take them off. Before you put your shoes on in the morning, take the shoes outside and clap the soles together to get rid of excess powder.

2) Using Insoles or Linings

Odor-controlling insoles can be cut to fit the shape of your sole, and come in several different colors. These work well for sandals, high heels or open-toed shoes.
Secure the insole with small strips of double-sided tape or dabs of rubber cement. These will help the insole stay in place while keeping it easily removable.

3) Freezing the Shoes

Freeze out the smell. Put your shoes in freezer-size sealable plastic bags (one per shoe, if necessary) and put them in the freezer overnight. The cold should kill any fungus or bacteria causing the odor.

4) Washing the Shoes

If your shoes are washable, give them a bath. Either chuck them in the washing machine or submerge them in a detergent bath for a gentler clean. Be sure to clean the inside, especially, (the insole, too) and let all the parts of the shoe dry before using again.

5) Baby Powder

If your feet start smelling when they get damp, then a good way to keep them from getting damp (aside from giving them a breather every once in a while) is to powder them with baby or talcum powder. The powder has a pleasant, but subtle, smell to it and could help your feet from sweating in the first place.

6) Personal Hygiene

Wash your feet every day or every other day with antimicrobial soap. If fungus or bacteria is what’s causing your feet and shoes to smell, it’s a good idea to attack the smell at the source. Every day when taking a shower, give both of your feed a good, sudsy wipe-down with antimicrobial or antibacterial soap.
Find out if washing your feet every day with antimicrobial soap will dry them out. Washing them every day might leave them dry and cracked. If your feet get dry, moisturize them with after washing and consider washing your feet with antimicrobial wash every other day.

7) Giving Shoes a Break

Alternate shoes. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row. This gives them a chance to air out before you wear again.
Give your shoes a nice airing out. Your feet need airing up, but so do your shoes. When it’s nice and sunny outside, don’t hesitate to let your shoes play outside — without you. That’s it…give them a nice break!

8) Using Socks

Wear socks when possible. Breathable cotton socks help absorb some of the moisture from your feet, keeping your shoes a bit cleaner.
If you’re wearing flats or high heels, you can wear socks that won’t show. They should be cut so that they only cover the back of your heel, the sides and bottom of your feet, and the front of your toes.

9) Choosing the Right Shoes

Wear shoes that fit you. When your shoes don’t fit you, your feet could sweat more than usual (aside from being incredibly uncomfortable). Get fitted before buying shoes and don’t be afraid to see a podiatrist if your feet begin to hurt you.

Wear shoes that have breathable fabrics. It’s not a horribly revolutionary idea, but wearing shoes with more breathable fabrics will cut down on foot-sweat and odor. Synthetic fabrics usually do not breathe well.[1] The most breathable fabrics include:
Cotton
Linen
Leather