My shoes smell bad.

Mike Danger

Just what it says above. They're Nike Airs. I've had them for about 2 or 3 years now?

firewaterword

Then get some Tineacide spray or something bro.

StrifeRaZoR

My shoes do this within a few months of purchasing them. At first I thought it was my feet, and that I should probably have some sort of HAZMAT team come in and take a peek at the things. Turns out...it's just that I sweat a lot and it completely ruins the leather in the soles. Which is why I tend to shy away from expensive shoes, because I'll just end up ruining them in a few months flat. The only things I've been able to do to combat the marriage-ruining funk emerging from my many pairs of shoes is to use Gold Bond powder. Stuff works wonders to absorb the smell AND it keeps my feet nice and dry when I'm at work. Another thing I've heard is to take your shoes and put them in an air-tight ziplock bag, then toss them in the freezer for a day or so. Apparently the cold air kills all the bacteria that causes the smell and helps them return to their normal scent.

No previous experience on the freezer/bag trick, but it's worth a shot. Just don't open them up in the middle of the night thinking they're some sort of snack.

Barrakketh

For prevention, get a second pair of shoes to wear and keep a shoe tree (cedar is the material you want) inside each pair of shoes when they aren't being worn. The shoe tree will absorb moisture and help prevent nasty stuff from growing inside of your shoes.

The reason for the second pair of shoes is that if you wear your shoes all day then overnight isn't going to be enough to allow them to dry.

supabeast

Stuff newspaper into them, it sucks up moisture and odors. Blasting out the insides with Lysol now and then won’t hurt, either.

TabooPhantasy

I don't recommend Lysol because that just ends of making them wet from that. Something I have had a lot of luck with is Fresh Wave. These are little pouches, but they also make candles, sprays, and containers that sit out and absorb some seriously funky smells for rooms.

Mmmm... Cocks...

I love goldbond. I'll put it in my shoes, in my socks, in my boxers (it's like fairies blowing gently on your junk).
I think they make an extra strength foot one as well.

StrifeRaZoR

+1 on the goldbond. That stuff works magic for big hairy guys like me. I sweat if the temperature is below 70 degrees, so Gold Bond makes it so that my junk AND my feet don't sweat nearly as much. Give it a shot. Not only does it prevent the odor, but it helps keep your feet from chafing against the sides of your shoes.

Aurora Borealis

In the costume shops I've worked at, we would spray smelly shoes with cheap vodka. Killed things, evaporated quick. These were shoes worn for a few hours at a time though, so I guess YMMV.

Chanus

I've never had a problem after a dusting with baking soda and a night in the freezer. Tends to kill what ails them.

Chanus

Also, if you don't wear socks... wear socks.

If you do wear socks, find time throughout the day to take off your shoes and let any sweat evaporate.

Do this after you've gotten rid of the stink, of course... else you'll probably be taken in by Homeland Security for questioning.

itatemykidneys

Mmmm... Cocks... wrote: »

I love goldbond. I'll put it in my shoes, in my socks, in my boxers (it's like fairies blowing gently on your junk).
I think they make an extra strength foot one as well.

Hell yeah! I learned of this from a couple of co-workers a little while ago and recently started using baby powder on my junk as well, though a friend of mine said gold-bond was even more like a cool heaven.
I have yet to try GB for it though, let alone my feet, but I imagine it'd all feel great.

OP, I might suggest getting a new pair of shoes if you can afford to, and maintain those, rather than trying to save your 3 year old pair. Mine are over 2 years old and they're flat, tearing, and long overdue for replacement. Not to mention death traps to my feet and other peoples' olfactory senses.