Got Stinky Soccer Cleats? Here Are 5 Ways to Get the Smell Out of Them

If you or your child is heavily invested in the game of soccer, meaning you eat, play, and sleep soccer, there’s a good chance you’ve got a pair of stinky soccer cleats on your hands. Since cleats get worn during both practice and games, they give your feet plenty of time to sweat in them. When the bacteria on your skin break down the acid in your sweat, it creates an odor, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Over time, that smell builds and builds until you’re left with some seriously stinky cleats that need a good cleanse. And we’ve got just the tips to help you out. Here are five ways to get the smell out of your soccer cleats and finally get rid of that lingering odor.

Removing and washing the insoles of your soccer cleats is one way to get the smell out.

It’s never a good idea to toss your cleats in the washing machine, since the detergents and spin cycles can damage them — even Under Armour doesn’t recommend them. Instead, stick with handwashing. Because the insoles are where your feet sweat the most, take them out and scrub them using mild dish detergent, warm water and a soft-bristle brush. Rinse them well, pat them dry, and then let them air-dry in a cool, dry space. You can also toss the insoles into a pillowcase and wash them on a cold, delicate cycle with mild laundry detergent, as Adidas recommends.

Wash your soccer cleats after every big game

It sounds tedious, but if you really don’t want your soccer cleats to stink, wash them after each game. Here’s how Whirlpool recommends you do it. Start by removing the laces and insoles and placing them in a pillowcase to wash separately (as advised above). Click your cleats together to knock off any loose dirt. Then, use a soft-bristle brush to swipe away any excess dirt or grass.

Next, mix up 2 cups of warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of mild dish soap. Dip your soft-bristle brush into the mixture and gently scrub your cleats. After you’re done, rinse them with warm water and pat them dry. Let them air dry in a cool, dry place, but avoid direct sunlight — and the dryer.

Make sure your foot hygiene is on point

If your foot hygiene isn’t up to par, your soccer cleats are going to stink no matter what you do. For starters, always wash your feet each day, and dry them well before putting on a fresh pair of socks. And speaking of socks, avoid wearing your cleats without clean socks as it will only make them smell worse.

Tuck a bar of soap into each of your soccer cleats

A fresh bar of soap can do wonders for your stinky soccer cleats. Simply tuck a bar of soap into each shoe (making sure they’re completely dry) and let them sit overnight. According to Nike, the soap kills the bacteria your feet produce and absorbs the smell, “replacing it with a clean, soapy scent.”

Create your own shoe deodorizer with baking soda

Another easy, not to mention affordable, way to remove the smell from your soccer cleats is by creating a baking soda deodorizer. Simply mix a quarter cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of baking powder, and a 1/2 cup of cornstarch, per Nike. You can also add a few drops of tea tree or cedar wood oil. Add half the mixture to one sock and the other half to another. Tie the socks so the mixture doesn’t spill, then place one in each shoe overnight.

You can also sprinkle plain baking soda directly into each shoe and leave it overnight, then vacuum it out the next day.

So you see, removing odors from soccer cleats isn’t as hard as you might have thought. Now that you’ve got options, which remedy are you going to try first? Share your thoughts below.