How to Get Smell Out of Climbing Shoes

Serious climbers can get seriously funky odors within their climbing shoes.  The more often that they are used, the more dead skin particles and sweat build up within the shoes.  When this accumulation occurs, odorous bacteria can grow off of the organics and produce a foul foot related stench.


Fortunately, there are several home remedy and products for removing the foot related odor and freshness back within the climbing shoes.  By following the below deodorizing tips, you can have the confidence that the climbing shoes will be defunked and returned to normal.

Smell Removal Solutions

1 Fresh Air

After using the climbing shoes, be sure to leave them just outside the back door of your home.  The open space and fresh air will do much to lift out foot related odors from the climbing shoes.  If they are kept inside, the shoes are likely to dry out slow and the smells are likely to become more stagnant within a limited space.

2 Rotate Climbing Shoes

If you climb on a daily basis, you may wish to buy a second pair of climbing shoes.  Using the same pair every day creates a a wet environment within the climbing shoes that is sure to breed bacteria.  By rotating, the shoes can get fresh air and dry out, and naturally deodorize themselves.

3 Baking Soda

This household powder provides excellent results in absorbing unwelcome foot odors.  After every use of your climbing shoes pour baking soda within the interior to absorbe the stench.  Place shoes within an enclosed shoe box and allow a minimum of 24 hours for the baking soda to work it’s magic.  After this time, the climbing shoes can be removed and placed back into use.

4 White Vinegar

This natural acid works in striping odorous bacteria from the interior of climbing shoes.  Fill a small bowl with white vinegar and water in equal parts and moisten several paper towels within the formula.  Stuff the moist paper towels down into the interior of the climbing shoes and provide 24 hours for the white vinegar to neutralize all unwanted odors within the climbing shoes.

5 Cat Litter

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.

6 Rubbing Alcohol

The high level of alcohol in this solution has the effect of neutralizing foot related odors on the spot.  Fill a small bowl with rubbing alcohol and water in equal parts and  dip several paper towels in to dampen them.  Stuff the dampen paper towels within the interior of the shoes and provide 24-48 hours for the odor to be neutralized.


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Published by

Joe Fresh

Joe is an odor combatant, chemistry extraordinaire and all around good guy. He has an over-productive olfactory system with absolutely zero tolerance for unpleasant aromas.

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