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How to Remove a Musty Smell From Shoes

May 24, 2011 / By Kimbry Parker

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Don't let a musty odor ruin a perfectly good pair of shoes.

Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

If your shoes are smelling a little funky, it's time to deodorize them, girl! That musty smell can be caused by sweat or other moisture that lingers in your shoe. Maybe you stepped in a rain puddle and your sneakers got soaked. Or perhaps you wore your sexy stilettos out dancing and your feet were sweating like crazy. Whatever the cause of the odor, get rid of it with some quick home remedies and get back your sweet-smelling style.

Let the shoes dry completely if they're wet. Take out the laces if your shoes have them and let them dry separately. If the sun is shining, put them outside to dry. The sun naturally eliminates odors.

Sprinkle the inside of your shoes with baking soda. Don't dump the whole box in; just lightly coat the inside of the shoe.

Let the baking soda sit in the shoes overnight. Shake out the shoes the next day to get rid of the baking soda. Take a slightly damp cloth and wipe out any remaining traces of baking soda.

If the odor is still there, try rubbing alcohol. Spritz the inside of the shoes with rubbing alcohol and let them sit overnight to get rid of the smell.

If all else fails, freeze away the smell. Put your shoes in zippered storage bags and seal them up. Stick them in the freezer overnight. The chilly temp in the freezer kills any bacteria causing the odor.

1.Baking soda

3.Rubbing alcohol

5.Vinegar (optional)

2.Rag

4.Zippered storage bags

Another way to remove musty odor from shoes is to wipe down the inside with a mixture of one part white vinegar and five parts water. Don't worry; the vinegar smell goes away quickly so you're not trading a musty smell for a vinegar smell.