Şebnem Oğuz · ODORGO founder · Last updated: October 6, 2026
You are visiting friends and shoes come off at the door. While you untie the laces, one thought runs through your head: are they going to smell?
Or you leave the gym, drop your sneakers into the bag, and that evening the smell fills the room when you open it. Shoe odor is very common, and the cause is simpler than most people think.
Why do shoes smell?
Sweat by itself has almost no smell. The odor starts when sweat sits in the warm, damp inside of a shoe: microorganisms that live naturally on skin break down the components of sweat, and that creates smelly compounds. The lining, the insole and your socks hold on to them. Every wear adds another layer.
Odor settles in when three things meet: moisture, residue and a closed space that gets no air. The same thing happens under the arm, which we covered in what causes sweat odor and how to prevent it.
Why doesn't a scented shoe spray work?
Because it adds a second smell on top of the bad one. The perfume is gone in a few hours and the odor underneath is still there. Products sold as "shoe deodorizers" do not all do the same job.
| Product type | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Scented shoe spray | Covers the odor with another scent | The odor is back a few hours later |
| Powders | Soak up moisture and build up on the insole | Less moisture, but the odor molecule stays where it is |
| Odor eliminator | Binds the odor molecule and adds no scent on top | The odor is removed when applied to a dry shoe |
ODORGO belongs to the third group. Its plant-derived oils attract odor molecules, bind them and neutralize them.
How do you remove shoe odor step by step?
- Do not put shoes in the closet as soon as you take them off. Loosen the laces, pull the tongue forward and leave them somewhere airy.
- If they are wet, dry them first. Nothing works in a damp shoe.
- If the insole comes out, take it out and air it separately. Replace it if it is badly worn.
- Shake the bottle well, then spray ODORGO Odor Eliminator Spray 250 ml inside the dry shoe, all the way to the toe, and on both sides of the insole.
- Let it dry, then wear the shoes. If the odor is heavy, apply once more the next day.
The spray is water-based; you can use it on any surface that water does not harm. On water-sensitive fabrics and surfaces (unfinished or untreated wood, silk, leather, electronics, etc.), test on a small hidden area first.
What changes for sneakers, boots and leather shoes?
- Sneakers: they hold the most sweat. Do not leave them in the bag after training; air them when you get home. For the gym or the road, ODORGO Pocket Odor Eliminator Spray 30 ml fits in a gym bag.
- Boots: tall and closed, so the hardest to air out. Before storing them at the end of the season, dry them thoroughly, spray inside, and box them once dry.
- Leather dress shoes: leather takes in moisture and lets it go slowly. Wipe the inner surface with a damp cloth where it can be wiped, and spray once it is dry.
- Kids' shoes: they come home damp after a day of running. Air them, spray inside once dry, and they are ready by morning.
If the gym bag itself smells, how to get rid of gym bag and workout clothes odor covers that side.
How do you keep the odor from coming back?
- Wear cotton or moisture-wicking socks; synthetic socks keep the moisture in.
- Rotate two pairs. Give each pair a day to dry.
- Do not store shoes in a closed plastic bag.
- Once a week, take out the insole, air it and spray inside the shoe.
- Dry your feet before you put socks on.
If the shoe cabinet itself smells, set an ODORGO Odor Eliminator Gel 250 g on a shelf where it will stand flat and still. Opening the lid is all it takes. The gel works for up to 30 days in enclosed areas of up to 15 m²; longer in smaller spaces such as drawers and cabinets. For the wardrobe side, see how to get rid of closet and drawer odor.
What is in ODORGO?
A water-based formula built on five plant-derived essential oils: pine needle, anise, clove, cedarwood and lime.
You notice a light plant scent for a short while after spraying, then it fades. Nothing stays behind; ODORGO is there to take the bad odor away, not to scent the place. Your shoes will not smell like flowers. They will smell like nothing.
Keep your shoes fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a spray get rid of shoe odor?
Yes, if the shoe is dry. The spray removes the odor molecule, but without the habit of drying and resting your shoes the odor forms again.
Can I spray ODORGO on my feet or socks?
No, this spray is for the inside of the shoe. For body sweat odor there is a separate product: ODORGO Natural Roll-On Deodorant 75 ml, a cosmetic that helps prevent sweat odor.
Will machine washing my sneakers remove the odor?
Not always. If the inner layers stay damp the odor returns, so dry the shoes fully and then spray inside.
Can the spray be used on leather shoes?
Yes, but test first. Leather is sensitive to water, so try it on a small hidden area before you apply it.
Can I put the gel inside the shoe?
No. The gel is used standing flat and still; set it on a shelf of the shoe cabinet.