stinky shoes

workout junkie

workout junkie

Cathlete
How do you all wash your tennis shoes (or sneakers - as probably most of you say)?

I have some relatively new leather slip-on ones that I wear without socks and they've become a little stinky. DH told me to put them in the washing machine, but I'm afraid that'll ruin them. I can't seem to just pull the liner out to wash just that - it's glued in.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Melissa
 
I find just opening up my hiking boots a bit and placing them in the sun for a day or two eliminates the stink...er...shtink
 
This might not eliminate already "established stink", but for the future try bounce sheets in your shoes all the time you are not wearing them. My ds swears by this. Marnie
 
I've washed my sneakers before (when I've stepped in dog poop, which is not an uncommon occurance in my house LOL). Cold water, regular detergent--they came out just fine (just don't put them in the dryer), actually looking almost brand new.

Just a disclaimer--if your sneakers are starting to smell b/c they're old, it might be time for a new pair. Not b/c of the smell, but check the treads on the bottom. If they're wearing out you probably need to replace them--depending on your stride they could cause injury while exercising.
 
I've heard that you are not suppose to wash running shoes(breaks down the support or something like that), but my everyday walking/cross trainers do get thrown in the washer if they ever get really dirty. I air dry them out side. The leather can split though if they are made from real leather. You might try spraying the inside with Febreze. It really helps eliminate odors around the house.

Jean
 
I looove fabreeze. I would like to give an invention of the year award. Best thing ever for household with two dogs. :)

I am sure it will work for your shoes.
 
Thanks everyone! I'll try the febreeze first (since they're leather and they're new). If that doesn't work then I'll put them in the washing machine and cross my fingers. :)
 
And in the future, you might consider socks, which are not just good for adding some extra padding, but for absorbing sweat (which otherwise gets absorbed in your shoes). It's much easier to clean socks safely than to try to clean the inside of stinky shoes!

There are some cedar-filled shoe 'bags'(I don't know what else to call them!) that you can put in your shoes after every wearing to help absorb odor (still not as good as wearing socks, though, IMO).
 
I wouldn't put leather shoes in the washing machine!!!

You can buy disinfectant for shoes like they have in the bowling alleys. Or lysol would probably work. I've heard baking soda does the trick too.

Note you should be able to avoid stinkiness by not wearing shoes two days in a row. Shoes need a rotation - just like Cathe videos :) As I live in Florida, I try not to wear the same pair in the same week.
 
Rotate your shoes. This allows them time to dry out. Make sure your feet are real clean prior to working out. Use antiperspirant on your feet.
 
Well, let me emphasize that these are not workout shoes. They are casual slip-on leather tennies. I took them on vacation and wore them too many days in a row - in the hot weather. And since they're the slip-on type (backless - no heel), I didn't wear socks. That's why I have the stinkiness problem. Live and learn, I guess. I like these shoes a lot, that's why I'm afraid of putting them in the washing machine. But I'll try some of your other suggestions first...
 
Not sure if you may be allergic to Febrese or not - I finally figured out I was when I used to spray my hockey gear (if ya really want to talk about stinky}( ).

Another suggestion - some nice smelling baby powder, which will also help absorb the sweat in the first place.
 
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