✅ Answer
Shoes are one of the main everyday components of any person's wardrobe, and if there are problems with shoes, it deserves our attention. Let's discuss it. If your shoes suddenly start smelling of dampness and/or mold, meaning the smell remains even after drying, there is something to think about! Sometimes shoes get wet, dry out, and don't smell, and sometimes they don't dry out (without special drying), but even if you manage to dry them, after the next use, it's the same story—the smell still remains. So, to permanently remove the smell of dampness (and the dampness itself, of course), you need to destroy the bacteria and spores. One does not exist without the other, as you can see. As soon as you smell mold and dampness from your shoes, first of all, dry the shoes at room temperature (you can use a heater, but mind the temperature, otherwise you can ruin the shoes). Then, very carefully, using a cotton pad or a cloth, treat the inner surface of the shoes (the insoles must be removed, dried separately, and wiped) with a solution of regular table vinegar (1:1 with water). Then take baking soda and sprinkle it where it smells most intensely. Leave it for 12-24 hours to absorb residual moisture. Don't get too carried away; shoes are made of different materials that have their own sensitivity to baking soda and vinegar!

Why do shoes smell damp?

Generally, the smell of mold arises due to the multiplication of fungi and bacteria (Brevibacterium). They actively develop in a dark, warm, and humid environment. If the shoes were not dried within 24 hours after rain or an intense workout, the process of rotting of organic particles (sweat and skin microparticles) begins. Such a careless attitude toward shoes can harm not only the shoes but also the feet of the person who constantly uses such footwear.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold spores cannot be destroyed just with fragrances—a change in pH level or a reduction in humidity is required. That is, spraying deodorant won't help here. You can, of course, try alcohol, but again, shoes are different (materials), and some glues or weak stitching might simply dissolve (synthetic threads, etc.).

Effective Home Methods

1. Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Baking soda acts as a powerful absorbent and neutralizer of the acidic environment in which bacteria live. Soda does not kill the bacteria and spores themselves; it changes the conditions, making their existence and development impossible in the area where we sprinkle it.
  • Carefully pour dry baking soda inside the boots, having previously dried them and removed the insoles.
  • Leave for at least 12 hours (preferably a day).
  • After the time is up, shake out the baking soda or, even better, vacuum it up; it is safe for the vacuum cleaner, and if a little stays in the boots, it's also perfectly safe.

2. Vinegar Solution (Vinegar Essence, "Table" 9%)

Acetic acid kills up to 82% of mold species.
  • Mix white table vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio, that is, a spoonful of water to a spoonful of vinegar, and so on by volume.
  • Pour the mixture into a room or garden spray bottle.
  • Lightly mist the inside of the shoes (without soaking them through).
  • Let them air dry completely.
ℹ️ Note: Never dry leather or suede shoes on a radiator, with a hair dryer, or a heater. A sharp temperature drop will lead to cracking of the material and deformation of the glue. Use UV dryers or silica gel, if you have them, of course. But if not, a sunny window, a simple draft, or a weak room fan can help.

Professional Chemicals and Prevention

If home remedies still do not help, then use specialized tools. Shoe stores sell enzyme sprays that do not mask the odor but destroy the source molecules. After complete cleaning and drying, it is recommended to treat the outer layer (for illustrative purposes, not specifically) with a water-repellent spray (for example, based on fluorocarbon resins) to prevent re-wetting, as the case may be. Most often, shoes that easily get wet are not used in wet seasons, unless it is a professional environment where specialized footwear is usually issued.
❓ Can I wash smelly shoes in a washing machine?
This is allowed only for textile sneakers and canvas shoes on a delicate cycle (30°C / 86°F) with the addition of a very small amount of vinegar instead of fabric softener, and without washing them together with other clothes (and this is also rather an exception to the rules). Washing leather, suede, and nubuck is strictly prohibited.