How do I get the smell out of my gym shoes?
Shoe odor is living bacteria in the fabric, not dirt, so a cold rinse only moves it around. Machine-wash the shoes on the hottest cycle the care label allows, up to 60°C. That heat kills most of the odor-causing bacteria a cold wash leaves alive, so the smell drops sharply.
How to do it
- Check the shoe's care label for a max temperatureFind the highest wash temperature the label allows, up to 60°C. Leather, suede or glued shoes usually can't take it — hand-clean those instead.
- Remove the laces and insolesTake out the insoles and laces so water and heat reach every surface. Wash the insoles separately or by hand.
- Put the shoes in a mesh laundry bag with towelsA mesh bag and a couple of old towels cushion the drum, cut the banging noise and protect the shoes during the spin.
- Run the hottest cycle the label allows, up to 60°CUse normal detergent on the hottest permitted cycle. The heat, not the water pressure, is what kills the odor bacteria.
- Air-dry away from direct heatStuff with paper and let them dry at room temperature. Skip the tumble dryer and radiators, which can warp soles and glue.
Questions that come up
Will a hot wash ruin my shoes?
It depends on the material. Canvas and synthetic gym shoes usually handle a 60°C wash fine if the label allows it. Leather, suede and many glued running shoes can crack, shrink or come unstuck, so hand-clean those and never exceed the label's stated temperature.
What if the smell comes back after a few workouts?
That's normal — sweat re-seeds the bacteria over time. Let shoes dry fully between wears, rotate two pairs so each dries out, and wash hot again when the smell returns. Removable insoles are often the worst offenders, so wash or replace those too.
Can I just use the tumble dryer to kill the bacteria instead?
The wash is what removes them; drying alone doesn't clean the fabric. High dryer heat also risks warping soles and melting glue, so air-dry instead. If you want extra help, dry them in a warm, airy spot rather than a hot machine.
Full transcript
Stop rinsing gym shoes cold — wash them hot instead. The smell isn't grime — it's living bacteria in the fabric, and cold water just moves them around. Run them on the hottest cycle the label allows — up to sixty degrees. That heat kills most of the odor bacteria a cold rinse leaves alive. Try the hot wash on your worst pair tonight.