Sweat accumulates on the skin with physical activity, especially within the confines of closed footwear, creating an ideal environment for bacteria growth. This often results in a persistent and unpleasant smell in athletic shoes, which can be challenging to eliminate through washing and drying alone.

To address this issue, I utilize bars of toilet soap.

You’ll need two soap bars for this method. Each time I return from being out, I place a soap bar inside each sneaker and leave it until my next outing. This approach quickly eradicates any lingering smells.

I favor this technique due to its efficiency and the fact that it spares me from constantly laundering my sneakers, which can degrade their appearance and lifespan over time. Although I encountered suggestions of using tea bags to combat shoe odor, my trials proved ineffective, leading me back to the reliable soap method.