How to Kill Odors in Cycling Shoes

The stench of athletic competition often occurs when you take off your shoes after a long training session or cycling competition. To keep your focus and win the race, you need to eliminate those distracting odors emitting from your shoes. Cyclists may deal with this issue more often, as their feet tend to encounter more dirt and water from the road or during rain downpours while riding. If you've noticed a stinky smell coming from your cycling shoes, get the odor under control right away. You can use a variety of methods to help kill and eliminate the smell.

Things You'll Need

  • Baking soda
  • Dryer sheets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your cycling shoes in the window sill or hallway area of your home to air out. While riding, sweat will inevitably make its way down into your shoes, which makes them damp. The combination of body heat and wet or damp shoes and inserts creates the perfect environment for odors. Let them air out before your next riding routine.

    • 2

      Put one or two tablespoons of baking soda in each shoe and let the soda sit overnight. Dump the powder out before your ride the next day. Alternatively, grab a pair of socks and add two tablespoons of baking soda in each sock. When done, tie a knot into each sock. Place them inside the shoes every night before you go to bed. In the morning, simply remove the socks.

    • 3

      Remove the insoles from the sneakers and toss them into the washer with detergent. If you're concerned about shrinkage, let them air dry or put them in the dryer on the lowest heat setting.

    • 4

      Stick new dryer sheets into your shoes overnight as they can help neutralize and eliminate odors. Remove them before you put on your shoes.