How to Get Smell Out of Leather Shoes

I’ll be honest, the smell hit me before I’d even got the boots off. My old brown Dune ankle boots, the ones I rescued from a charity shop a decade ago, had started to betray me. They still looked the part, all weathered patina and soft creases, but inside? Let’s just say they were carrying memories of too many pub nights, sweaty tube rides and the time I wore them without socks because I’d left a pair balled up behind the radiator. Vas the cobbler could patch soles and fit steel blakies all day long, but even he can’t fix foot funk.

Leather, bless it, soaks up oils and moisture like an eager sponge. Which is fine when it’s hand oils darkening the grain in a romantic way, less so when it’s… well… sweat. The trick is to tackle odour without ruining the fibres or drying the finish and luckily I’ve tried everything from kitchen hacks (don’t) to proper kit (do).

Why do leather shoes retain odour like an embarrassing secret?

Unlike trainers, leather boots don’t exactly breathe freely. Once moisture gets trapped in the lining, bacteria throw a party and you end up with shoes that could walk into a room before you do. And if, like me, you keep yours stuffed under the bed with last winter’s dust bunnies, the patina isn’t the only thing developing with age.

Step by Step To Clean Odour Leather

Right, here’s what I actually do when my beloved boots start smelling like they’ve been on a gap year without me.

1. Air them out, but gently

First thing, I never stick them under the radiator. Heat cracks leather faster than you can say “goodbye to grain”. I pop cedarwood shoe trees inside (they soak up moisture and salt beautifully) and then leave the boots somewhere airy, away from direct sun.

2. Wipe the uppers like washing your hands

I grabbed a piece of damp cloth and quickly wiped it over. Not soaking, just enough to lift surface dirt. Otherwise you’re locking sweat in with yesterday’s grime and that’s never a good combo.

3. Bring in the big guns (odor removers, not bleach)

Here, the use of appropriate products proves crucial. The Pedag Active Fresh Deodorant is compact yet effective, easily fits into a bag and prevents your boots from smelling like a hospital corridor. If they’ve really gone nuclear, the Collonil Carbon Odor Cleaner works like magic foam – spray, let it do its thing and suddenly the inside smells like actual air again.

4. Give the lining a little love

I use a soft cloth to dab away excess products and make sure fibres don’t stay damp. Think of it like moisturising after a shower, but for your boots.

5. Rotate and rest them

I never wear the same pair two days running anymore (learnt that the hard way). A night off lets the leather recover and me too.

Keeping them fresh for longer

Once the odour is out, the trick is not to let it creep back in. Cedar shoe trees, socks that actually breathe and a quick spritz after wearing keep things civilised. It’s like cleaning your face – do it daily and you won’t wake up wondering why you look like a peeled tomato.

If your shoes are suede-lined or exotic leather inside, honestly, don’t risk home experiments – see a pro cleaner. Trust me, it’s cheaper than buying new boots.

FAQs

My leather boots smell like damp dog. Will deodorant sprays actually work?
Yes, the good ones do. The inexpensive sprays from the supermarket merely cover up unpleasant odours with a synthetic pine scent. Proper stuff like Pedag Active Fresh actually tackles the bacteria.

Is it safe to spray inside the leather lining?
If it’s smooth leather or textile lining, yes. Just don’t drench it. A light mist, let it dry, and you’re golden. Suede linings or delicate exotic skins? See a pro.

My girlfriend says my boots smell like nachos – is she exaggerating?
Sadly, no. Leather absorbs foody odours frighteningly well. Once that cheesy note appears, you’ll need something like Collonil Carbon Odour Cleaner to reset the boots to neutral.

Would it be possible to place them in the freezer to eliminate the odour?
You can do that, but then you’ll end up with icy shoes and a partner questioning why your boots are placed next to the peas. Works temporarily, but sprays are less ridiculous. For longer-lasting fixes, see our full guide on remove odour leather.

My boots stink even after cleaning. Do I have to throw them away?
Not yet. If the lining is still structurally sound, a pro cobbler can often replace it. I’ve had Vas (my grumpy saviour in Mill Hill) do this on a pair that smelt like a locker room. Came back fresh.

I’ve made peace with the fact my boots are ageing like me: a little cracked, a little scarred, but better with care. And now, thankfully, they don’t announce themselves from three rooms away.