This is a CRAZY question, but... (Stinky shoes.)

[AKL_Megs]

My DH has this pair of rather expensive shoes that he really loves. They are in good shape. The only problem is that they STINK! I've tried everything... I've washed them down on the inside with multiple cleaners, tried baking soda AND Odor Eaters powder. They STILL stink.

I was thinking... if the "smell" is because of the bacteria in the shoes, will the smell go away if I freeze the shoes, thus killing the bacteria? It is a stretch, but it is these shoes last hope!

 

[dawson5]

I was told to take an old sock and fill with cat litter and stick it in there. Instead (I have oodles of boys sports shoes/cleats), I have taken to keeping the box they come in and write on the side what they are used for and keep them boxed up. Eventually they air out and I don't have to smell it. I would have to do this to 10+ pairs, lots of socks & cat litter.

These are his only pair that do this? My hubby used to have this problem with all of his shoes. He went to the podiatrist for a different problem and she told him his feet were too dry and gave him a prescription for foot cream. He has not had this problem since, it's been about 3 years now. <knock on wood>

 

[AKL_Megs]

I was told to take an old sock and fill with cat litter and stick it in there. Instead (I have oodles of boys sports shoes/cleats), I have taken to keeping the box they come in and write on the side what they are used for and keep them boxed up. Eventually they air out and I don't have to smell it. I would have to do this to 10+ pairs, lots of socks & cat litter.

These are his only pair that do this? My hubby used to have this problem with all of his shoes. He went to the podiatrist for a different problem and she told him his feet were too dry and gave him a prescription for foot cream. He has not had this problem since, it's been about 3 years now. <knock on wood>

Yes, they are JUST this one pair! They smell like mildew or moldy leaves I will try and dry them out, and beg MIL for some litter if that doesn't work! Thanks!!!

 

[momrek06]

My DH has this pair of rather expensive shoes that he really loves. They are in good shape. The only problem is that they STINK! I've tried everything... I've washed them down on the inside with multiple cleaners, tried baking soda AND Odor Eaters powder. They STILL stink.

I was thinking... if the "smell" is because of the bacteria in the shoes, will the smell go away if I freeze the shoes, thus killing the bacteria? It is a stretch, but it is these shoes last hope!

Try "Sneaker Balls" from DICK's SPORTING GOODS or DSW or SPORTS AUTHORITY. They are $5.00 for a pair and you drop them in the shoes when not wearing them. They work great.


Sneaker Balls are no puny little air fresheners - they're packed with the power to tackle the odors inside a sneaker, gym bag or locker, where the toughest, ugliest smells hang out. Each ball contains a fresh, clean scent and an odor blocker formulated to counteract the unpleasant odors caused by perspiration, lasting three months. Sneaker Balls also work in cars, clothes hampers, drawers, diaper bags, suitcases or anywhere odors are a problem.

Sneaker Balls aren’t like any other air fresheners. They’re smaller, tougher and rounder. Why? Because they have to work in nasty little places where other air fresheners don’t fit. They are the only air fresheners with the moxie to tackle the inside of a sneaker, gym bag or locker–where the ugly stuff grows! Sneaker Balls come in a variety of fun styles and fresh, clean scents and they contain TX-3,™ an odor counteractant that is specially formulated to block the unpleasant smell of human perspiration. Sneaker Balls also work in cars, clothes hampers, diaper bags or anywhere that odors are a problem. The scent lasts for 3 months. Just Twist to Activate The trademarked design of the Sneaker Ball features special scent windows that allow you to control the strength of the scent by opening them partially or completely.

 

[dawson5]

Yes, they are JUST this one pair! They smell like mildew or moldy leaves I will try and dry them out, and beg MIL for some litter if that doesn't work! Thanks!!!

my youngest son has pairs of adidas shoes that smell like cat pee. It's only these shoes (has three of the same kind which he loves). The rest of the sports shoes smell like what you are describing.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Try "Sneaker Balls" from DICK's SPORTING GOODS or DSW or SPORTS AUTHORITY. They are $5.00 for a pair and you drop them in the shoes when not wearing them. They work great.


Sneaker Balls are no puny little air fresheners - they're packed with the power to tackle the odors inside a sneaker, gym bag or locker, where the toughest, ugliest smells hang out. Each ball contains a fresh, clean scent and an odor blocker formulated to counteract the unpleasant odors caused by perspiration, lasting three months. Sneaker Balls also work in cars, clothes hampers, drawers, diaper bags, suitcases or anywhere odors are a problem.

Sneaker Balls aren’t like any other air fresheners. They’re smaller, tougher and rounder. Why? Because they have to work in nasty little places where other air fresheners don’t fit. They are the only air fresheners with the moxie to tackle the inside of a sneaker, gym bag or locker–where the ugly stuff grows! Sneaker Balls come in a variety of fun styles and fresh, clean scents and they contain TX-3,™ an odor counteractant that is specially formulated to block the unpleasant smell of human perspiration. Sneaker Balls also work in cars, clothes hampers, diaper bags or anywhere that odors are a problem. The scent lasts for 3 months. Just Twist to Activate The trademarked design of the Sneaker Ball features special scent windows that allow you to control the strength of the scent by opening them partially or completely.

I've seen these before! Always wondered if they worked! If all else fails, I will try them!

 

[kayla87]

What I have found works best, but doesn't work as well in November, is setting them out in the sun for a day with the tongues pulled open. Not a good solution for right now, but something to keep in mind for the future.

 

[goofy's friends]

Have you tried dryer sheets? DD had a pair that smelled awful and the dryer sheets neutralized it. Now she puts them in there between wearings of several pairs and she hasn't had anymore problems (and her room smells better too!) Haha!!

 

[AprilShowers]

Yes, freeze the shoes! We've done it before with great success. Most of the other remedies only work temporarily.
Seal them in a large ziploc bag and put them in the freezer overnight.

Hope this helps!!

 

[momrek06]

Have you tried dryer sheets? DD had a pair that smelled awful and the dryer sheets neutralized it. Now she puts them in there between wearings of several pairs and she hasn't had anymore problems (and her room smells better too!) Haha!!

Yes, make sure you buy the BOUNCE Original NOT the unscented package. I use them for everything. Storing away blankets for the summer, wash them and throw in several Bounce dryer sheets in a large storage bag. I even throw them in my coolers after using them all summer, wash them up, throw in a few dryer sheets and store for the winter. Sleeping bags etc etc. I even put them under the seats in my car!!!

Yes, freeze the shoes! Seal them in a large ziploc bag and put them in the freezer overnight.

Won't the shoes be freezing to put your foot into in the morning???

 

[bumbershoot]

I wish you better luck than I had!

I bought this great pair of Doc Martens...a big bargain on a discontinued pair, I loved them so much. I bought them on a hot summer day in downtown Seattle, and put them on, without socks. And ruined them. I kept them for about 10 years, just hoping they'd stop stinking, they never did. I finally tossed them.

Not sure who was happier they were gone, me or my husband...oh, yeah, my husband, because I still miss wearing them!!!!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

If it is really bad, consider taking them to a shoe repair shop to have the insoles replaced. It will probably cost about $20 to get new leather insoles put in, and that should largely remove the odor along with the old ones.