Much care and attention is placed within ballet flats to deliver on a day a performance. The cause of the unpleasant smell stems from them being tightened and molded feet. After much use, sweat and dead skin particles lead to an odorous bacteria that can have the ballet flats reeking of an unwelcome funk.
For hygiene’s sake, there are several household remedies that can be performed to remove this unwanted odor and freshen the ballet flats. By following some of the below suggestions, you can be assured that the ballet flats will be free of odor and returned to normal.
Deodorizing Solutions for Ballet Flats
1 Rotate Your Flats
By wearing the same pair of ballet flats too often, you will maintain a moist environment that the odorous bacteria will thrive in. By rotating your ballet flats you will give the shoes the opportunity to dry out and deodorize. Purchasing an additional pair of shoes can seem excessive, however it is an effective solution to maintaining fresh ballet flats.
2 Place Ballet Flats in Sun
Placing ballet flats outside within the sun does multiple things to remove unwelcome odor. Ultraviolet rays, open space and fresh air will all work to lift off unwanted odor and carry it away. After use, place the ballet flats within the sun within the morning and allow them to sit for 6-8 hours. At the end of the day retrieve flats from the outdoors and store them for future use.
3 Freeze Your Ballet Flats
This may sound strange, but freezing the ballet flats will have the effect of eliminating odorous bacteria. By placing the shoes within a ziplock bag in the freezer for 24 hours the bacteria within the flats will be eliminated. After doing this process, you will find that much of the odor has been eliminated. For best results, pair this solution with another solution provided within this guide.
4 Baking Soda to Absorb Ballet Flat Odor
This household powder has been used for generation to remove unwanted odors. After using your ballet flats, sprinkle baking soda within the shoes and place them within an enclosed paper bag. Allow for ballet flats to sit within the enclosed bag for 24-48 hours before removing and placing back within use.
5 White Vinegar to Neutralize Ballet Flat Odor
This kitchen ingredient is widely used for neutralizing unwanted odors. Dampen two small towels and place within the interior of each ballet flat. Once performed, allow the ballet flats to sit for 3-4 hours before removing the rags and placing them outdoors to air dry. The vinegar will have the effect of killing any odorous bacteria and placing them outdoors will help to speed the drying process.
6 Deodorize Ballet Flats with Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is effective in killing foot odors on the spot. The alcohol sterilizes the interior of the shoes and leaves it smelling fresh. Dampen 4 sheet of paper towels with rubbing alcohol and place two sheets at the end of each ballet flat. After 2-3 hours have passed, remove the sheets from the end of the shoes and allow 1-2 hours to air dry.
7 Let Enzymes Eat Ballet Flat Odors
This solution is used widely among pet odors, however it is just as effective with foot related smells. Purchase an enzyme cleaning product from a pet store or large super market. Once purchased dampen two hand towels with the cleaning product and stuff within the end of the ballet flats. After 6-8 hours, the activated enzymes within the material will work to eat through any bacteria and unwanted odors to leave the flats smelling fresh.
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If you find yourself wearing your Tevas on a daily basis, this could be the source of your foot odor related problem. When the Teva shoes are used too often, the surface that comes in contact with the foot does not have the opportunity to receive fresh air and dry out. As a solution, you may want to consider rotating your Tevas with other shoes in order to give your Tevas a breather.
This kitchen acid helps in cutting through difficult foot odors and leave the Teva smelling fresh. Make a solution of white vinegar and water in equal parts within a large flat rectangular dish. Place the Teva sandals upside down within the formula and allow for it to soak for 24-48 hours. Once this time has passed, return to remove the sandals and rinse them free of the vinegar solution.


This substance does more than cover the odors produced from cat droppings. Measure a half cup of cat litter and pour this amount within each of the shoes to ensure that the the substance makes it’s way all of the way down to the tip of the climbing shoe’s interior. Place climbing shoes within a enclosed shoe box and provide 24-48 hours for the cat litter to freshen the interior of the shoes. After 1-2 days have passed shake cat litter from the shoes and put back into use.

Avoid the use of bleach to kill the foot related bacteria and deodorize the Reef sandals. If the type of Reef sandals you are using are made of leather, bleach can have the effect of hardening and drying the leather. If the leather becomes too dry, it can lead to unwanted cracking within the leather surface.


As an alternative to rubbing alcohol, vodka can be used within it’s place. Pour a small portion of vodka within a spray bottle and proceed to spray down the entire top surface of the leather sandals. Place sandals outside for 1-2 hours to allow for the to air dry off. The vodka will work to lift the stink of feet off and evaporate odorless.



Similar to white vinegar the hydrogen peroxide will work to eliminate the bacteria embedded within the leather to freshen the sandals. Mix a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide with five parts water, and pour within a large flat pan. Place sandals upside down within the solution 2-3 hours. After time has passed, finish by placing leather sandals outside in direct sunlight to air dry.

Vibrams are washing machine safe. However, before placing them within the washer, further preventative measures can be taken by placing them within an enclosed pillowcase. This will allow soap and other cleaning solutions in and will help in shielding the Vibrams from much of the turbulence and friction within the washer. As a final measure, switch the washing machine to hot water so that the Vibram’s material expands and allows easy access for the deodorizing detergent.
This morning brew can make a positive impact in removing odors from Vibrams. The chemical compound works to deodorize and leave a subtle coffee aroma within the shoes. Make two cups of coffee, allow to chill and pour within a large tupperware container. Add the Vibram FiveFingers to the container and seal closed. After 3-4 hours, return to remove the Vibrams from the contain and wash under the faucet to remove coffee residue. Finish by placing within direct sunlight to air dry. As a note of precaution, only use this method on black or brown Vibrams, as coffee can otherwise lead to undesired stains within the footwear.
The citric acid within lemons and other citrus fruit can have a positive effect in removing odor from the Vibrams. Mix a solution of one part lemon juice, five parts warm water and a teaspoon of dish detergent. Soak Vibrams within mixture for 3-4 hours before removing to place within direct sunlight to air dry.
This product is normally used to cut through bacteria within dentures, but doubles as a deodorant for Vibram FiveFingers. The Vibram website recommends using this product to eliminate tough odors that develop within the FiveFingers. Place Vibrams within a large tupperware container, fill with water and add 1-2 tablets. Allow 1-2 hours to pass before removing the Vibrams to air dry.
Beside cleaning, Oxiclean can have a strong impact on unwanted odors. Add a scoop of Oxiclean within water and place Vibram FiveFingers within the solution. After 30-45 minutes remove Vibrams to air dry. Conversely, Oxiclean can be added to a detergent wash to give Vibram’s Fivefingers and extra kick during the washing machine cycle.

This is a fun and effective solution to removing odor from your Toms. Place Toms on before entering the shower, and proceed within the shower as normal. For an added effect, you can apply some shampoo to each shoe, making sure to rub it in and rinse them to remove the soapy formula. After showering, keep the shoes on throughout your day. Within a 4-5 hours, they should be completely dry and smelling fresh.
This is a fun new product that can help in deodorizing your shoes. Pour a small portion of this product within each shoe, and give it a good shake allowing the powder to cover the interior of the shoe. Provide 24-48 hours for the powder to set in before knocking the product powder out from the interior of the Toms shoes.