My ballroom dance shoes STINK?

Question

Ugh-- I just noticed how rank my dance shoes smell! I tried Febreeze but they still stink.

Any ways to get rid of the stench? They're all leather (inside sole and out). Here's a picture of them

http://www.featherdanceshoes.com/shop/product.php?productid=3132&cat=9&page=1

Will I need to get new ones or can I get rid of the smell?

Answer 1

Try baking soda! :)

Answer 2

have you had them for a while if you have then you might need some new ones.

when your dancing your feet sweats alot so if that was me i would take them after your dancing (im assuming your a dancer) performance or whatever, and give it alot of air like leaving it at the backdoor until you need it.

Answer 3

maybe they have fungus or something growing in them.

just get some new ones. if there is something growing in your shoes, it could affect your feet and maybe make you sick. i don't know if you can take the smell away, but to stay safe, just get some new ones.

Answer 4

Because your shoes are closed-toe, your feet tend to sweat more and thus, the stench is more obvious.

I have the same problem with my open-toe ballroom shoes.

I learned to solve this problem by sprinkling ODOR EATERS powder on the inside of the shoe and letting the powder sit there for at least a day. I haven't had stinky shoes since then.

Hope this  helps. :)

Answer 5

Wear tights!

Answer 6

Sprinkle the insides with powered corn starch. Let them sit over night and dump it out in the morning. You might have to do this everyday for a week or so. Good luck.

Answer 7

The smell is likely on the inside only. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a pint of water, and add a capful of bleach, as well. Moisten a cloth with that, and wipe the insides. Repeat, and wear other shoes this week.

If it's on the sueded soles, they'll be shot. There just isn't much (other than your routine brushing, of course) that the sueded soles will tolerate.

And to those of you who dance other styles: One might wear hose, but never leotards or tights in ballroom.

Answer 8

You can spray them with Lysol to kill the bacteria that is causing the odor, but if you are dancing without tights and clean feet and not letting them air out . (Not using them everyday) you will get the smell back.  

Using the corn starch or baby powder after the Lysol has killed the bacteria can help prevent more moisture causing bacteria.

If the Lysol doesn't work...... sorry, it'll be time for new shoes.

Good luck,

Tex