Best Shoe Deodoriser? Reddit’s Most Popular Methods Reviewed
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Searching Reddit for the best shoe deodoriser produces hundreds of suggestions: bicarbonate soda, freezing, charcoal bags, boot dryers, washing, alcohol sprays and purpose-built shoe deodorising sprays.
Some can help. Others only cover the smell temporarily, create a mess inside the shoe or carry a risk of damaging certain materials.
We reviewed the methods repeatedly recommended across Reddit communities—including r/bouldering, r/climbing, r/Construction, r/WorkBoots and r/CleaningTips—to determine which shoe deodoriser approach makes the most sense for regular use.
Quick answer: The best shoe deodoriser is one that controls unwanted odour without leaving powder, requiring washing or risking damage to footwear materials. Airing and drying shoes should form the foundation of any routine. When odour persists, a purpose-built deodorising spray is generally the most practical option. If you also want disinfectant action, check for specific laboratory-tested bactericidal claims rather than assuming every deodoriser disinfects.
Why Do Shoes Smell?
Shoe odour is not simply the smell of sweat.
Research published in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology found that bacterial metabolism can produce isovaleric acid, one of the compounds associated with characteristic foot odour.
Inside frequently worn shoes, sweat, warmth and limited airflow can create conditions in which odour develops. Work boots, gym shoes, running shoes and climbing shoes can be particularly vulnerable because they are often worn for long periods or stored before they have dried completely.
This distinction matters when choosing a shoe deodoriser.
A highly fragranced spray might temporarily cover the smell. A moisture absorber might help shoes dry. A tested shoe disinfectant performs a different job by providing substantiated antimicrobial action.
Some products combine more than one of these functions, but you should verify the label rather than relying on packaging words such as “fresh,” “clean” or “hygienic.”
What Reddit Users Recommend for Smelly Shoes
Across Reddit discussions, the same methods appear repeatedly:
- Airing shoes outside the bag
- Rotating between two pairs
- Using bicarbonate soda
- Leaving charcoal or moisture absorbers inside
- Freezing shoes overnight
- Washing shoes
- Using a boot dryer
- Applying alcohol or household disinfectant
- Using a dedicated shoe deodoriser spray
Here is how those options compare.
1. Airing Shoes Out After Wearing Them
Removing shoes from enclosed bags and allowing them to dry is one of Reddit’s most sensible recommendations.
REI also recommends taking climbing shoes out of the pack after use and leaving them to dry. This can help prevent moisture from remaining trapped inside the footwear.
However, airing works best as a preventative habit. Shoes with an established, deeply embedded smell may continue to produce odour after they have dried.
It also becomes less effective during humid weather or when heavy work boots must be worn again the following morning.
Verdict: An essential habit, but not a complete shoe deodoriser solution for persistent odour.
2. Rotating Between Two Pairs
Work-boot and construction communities regularly recommend buying two pairs and alternating between them.
This gives each pair more time to dry before being worn again. For people who wear enclosed footwear throughout long shifts, rotation can make a meaningful difference.
The disadvantage is obvious: buying another pair of premium work boots or sports shoes can cost significantly more than using a regular shoe-care routine.
Rotation also manages moisture but does not directly deodorise or disinfect the footwear.
Verdict: Effective prevention if you can justify the cost.
3. Bicarbonate Soda as a Shoe Deodoriser
Bicarbonate soda is probably Reddit’s most frequently recommended homemade shoe deodoriser.
It is inexpensive and may help absorb moisture and neutralise certain odours. Users commonly recommend sprinkling it inside shoes overnight and shaking it out the next morning.
The method has several drawbacks:
- Powder can remain trapped inside textured linings.
- Residue can transfer onto socks.
- It can be difficult to remove from dark shoes.
- It requires preparation and cleanup.
- Odour reduction should not be confused with verified disinfection.
Some Reddit users make a paste from bicarbonate soda and water. That adds moisture to the shoe and requires rinsing followed by extended drying.
Verdict: Cheap and potentially useful for temporary odour reduction, but messy and inconvenient for everyday footwear.
4. Charcoal Bags, Tea Bags and Shoe Inserts
Charcoal inserts and similar moisture-absorbing products are cleaner than loose powder.
They can be left inside shoes between uses and may help absorb moisture and unwanted smells. Because they work while the footwear is stored, they require little daily effort.
However, they can take hours to work and are not designed to provide instant deodorising action. They also do not necessarily provide tested disinfectant performance.
Their effectiveness will depend on the amount of moisture, the age of the insert and how severe the odour has become.
Verdict: Convenient for ongoing moisture and odour management, but limited when stronger or faster treatment is needed.
5. Freezing Smelly Shoes Overnight
The freezer method is one of Reddit’s most repeated shoe-smell hacks.
The theory is that freezing eliminates the bacteria responsible for the smell. In reality, household freezing should not be treated as a verified shoe-disinfection process.
Cold conditions may temporarily reduce microbial activity, but the odour can return after the shoes warm up, become damp and are worn again.
You also need to seal and place used footwear inside an appliance used to store food.
Verdict: A questionable temporary hack, not a dependable shoe deodoriser or disinfectant routine.
6. Washing Smelly Shoes
Washing can remove sweat, residue and accumulated material from suitable footwear.
The problem is that shoes are constructed from different combinations of fabric, foam, rubber, leather, suede and adhesive. A method that works for one pair may deform, discolour or weaken another.
Nike advises against machine-washing its shoes and recommends gentle hand cleaning and air drying. Other manufacturers permit machine washing for specific models.
Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions first. This is particularly important for structured work boots, leather footwear and performance climbing shoes.
Washing can also require many hours of drying, making it unsuitable as a daily shoe deodorising routine.
Verdict: Potentially effective for compatible washable shoes, but too material-dependent to be a universal solution.
7. Boot Dryers
Boot dryers are frequently recommended in Reddit’s construction, workwear and outdoor communities.
They address one of the major contributors to recurring odour: moisture remaining inside heavy footwear. A dryer can be valuable when work boots do not dry naturally overnight.
Drying and disinfecting are not the same thing, however. A boot dryer manages moisture but should not automatically be assumed to provide antimicrobial performance.
Users must also consider the dryer temperature and their footwear manufacturer’s care instructions because excessive heat can affect some materials and adhesives.
Verdict: A strong moisture-management tool for regularly worn boots, but not a complete deodorising and disinfecting solution.
8. Rubbing Alcohol and Household Disinfectants
Reddit users sometimes recommend rubbing alcohol, diluted bleach, surface disinfectants and other household mixtures.
This is where an inexpensive experiment can become an expensive mistake.
A product developed for countertops or hard surfaces is not automatically suitable for repeated application to leather, suede, mesh, foam, insoles or footwear adhesives.
Possible problems include:
- Drying or hardening of materials
- Discolouration
- Strong chemical fragrance
- Sticky or visible residue
- Wiping or rinsing requirements
- Damage caused by incorrect dilution
Avoid experimenting with bleach inside shoes. Reducing the smell is not worthwhile if the process damages the footwear.
Verdict: Do not assume a general household disinfectant is an appropriate shoe deodoriser.
9. Purpose-Built Shoe Deodoriser Sprays
A dedicated shoe deodoriser is generally the most convenient option for regular use, but products in this category are not all equivalent.
Some primarily add fragrance. Others absorb odour. Some make antimicrobial-sounding statements without clearly explaining their testing or performance.
Before choosing one, check:
- Does it control odour rather than merely adding fragrance?
- Is it purpose-built for footwear?
- Does it require wiping?
- Does it leave powder or residue?
- Is it appropriate for regular use?
- If it claims to disinfect, is that claim supported by laboratory testing?
- Does the brand provide clear directions and material guidance?
For people who only want their shoes to smell fresher, a basic shoe deodoriser may be enough.
For people who want both odour control and tested disinfectant action, a 2-in-1 product is the more logical choice.
Shoe Deodoriser Methods Compared
| Method | Controls odour | Helps manage moisture | Tested disinfection | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air drying | Sometimes | Yes | No | May not address established odour |
| Rotating pairs | Helps prevent it | Yes | No | Requires another pair |
| Bicarbonate soda | Sometimes | Somewhat | Not established | Mess and powder residue |
| Charcoal inserts | Gradually | Yes | Usually no | Slow results |
| Freezing | Temporarily | No | Unreliable | Odour can return |
| Washing | Often | Requires drying | Process-dependent | May damage certain shoes |
| Boot dryer | Helps prevent it | Yes | No | Equipment required |
| Ordinary fragrance spray | Temporarily | No | Usually no | May only cover the smell |
| Purpose-built 2-in-1 spray | Yes | Product-dependent | Check laboratory testing | Must follow label directions |
Where BlueRoca Shoe Defence Fits
BlueRoca Shoe Defence was created for the gap between ordinary shoe deodorisers that primarily make footwear smell fresher and general disinfectants that are not purpose-built for shoes.
It is a 2-in-1 shoe deodoriser and shoe disinfectant designed for use inside footwear.
BlueRoca is independently lab-tested to kill 99.9% of tested bacteria within a 10-second contact time. It dries quickly, leaves no residue and requires no wiping.
That makes it practical for use after work, sport, gym sessions, running or climbing—without sprinkling powder, washing the shoes or waiting for an insert to work overnight.
BlueRoca should still be used according to its label directions. As with any shoe-care product, spot-test first when treating delicate, dyed or unfamiliar materials.
The Best Routine for Controlling Shoe Odour
The most practical approach combines daily prevention with a dedicated shoe deodoriser:
- Remove footwear from enclosed bags immediately after use.
- Allow shoes to dry in a ventilated area.
- Remove removable insoles when appropriate.
- Rotate between pairs when practical.
- Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
- Apply BlueRoca Shoe Defence according to the label directions.
- Allow the footwear to dry before wearing it again.
This routine is less dramatic than freezing your shoes or filling them with bicarbonate soda—but it is faster, cleaner and easier to repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shoe deodoriser for smelly shoes?
The best option depends on whether you need fragrance, moisture absorption, odour control or tested disinfection. For regular use, choose a purpose-built shoe deodoriser that dries quickly, does not leave residue and clearly explains how it works.
Does shoe deodoriser kill bacteria?
Not necessarily. Many shoe deodorisers are designed only to absorb or cover odour. If bacterial kill is important to you, look for a product that is specifically labelled as a shoe disinfectant and provides substantiated efficacy information.
Is BlueRoca a deodoriser or disinfectant?
BlueRoca Shoe Defence is both. It is a 2-in-1 shoe deodoriser and disinfectant that controls unwanted shoe odour while providing independently tested bactericidal action when used according to its directions.
Does bicarbonate soda remove shoe smell?
Bicarbonate soda may absorb moisture and reduce certain odours, but it can leave powder inside the shoe. Odour reduction should not be confused with verified disinfection.
Does freezing shoes remove odour?
Freezing may temporarily suppress odour, but it should not be treated as reliable disinfection. The smell can return after the footwear warms up and becomes damp again.
Can I use household disinfectant inside my shoes?
A household disinfectant intended for hard surfaces may not be suitable for shoe linings, leather, suede, mesh, foam or adhesives. Use a product specifically designed for footwear and follow its label.
How do I stop work boots from smelling?
Let boots dry completely, remove damp insoles where appropriate, rotate pairs when practical and use a purpose-built shoe deodoriser after wear. A boot dryer can also help manage retained moisture.
How do I deodorise climbing shoes?
Remove climbing shoes from your bag immediately, let them dry away from excessive heat and apply a footwear-compatible deodoriser as directed. Avoid repeated soaking unless the manufacturer permits washing.
Sources and Reddit Discussions Reviewed
- Foot odor due to microbial metabolism and its control, Canadian Journal of Microbiology
- REI: Rock Shoe Care and Resoling
- Nike: Can You Put Sneakers in the Washer?
- Reddit r/bouldering: “Dealing with that nasty shoe smell?”
- Reddit r/Construction: “Best boot deodorizer?”
- Reddit r/CleaningTips: “How do you always have good smelling shoes?”
- Reddit r/AskAnAustralian: “Odour control—shoes”
- Reddit r/ClimbingGear: “Best shoe deodorizer?”
This guide is published by BlueRoca, which sells BlueRoca Shoe Defence. It reviews recurring recommendations found in public Reddit discussions. BlueRoca is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Reddit.