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How to Clean Smelly Toms Shoes In 2022

Toms shoes are very comfortable and they look perfect with casual wear. In the summer season the demand for these shoe increases.

If you love to wear Toms shoes but their stinking causes problems for you then this article is a perfect spot for you because in this article we are going to discuss how to clean smelly toms perfectly and everything related to smelly Toms shoes.

So without wasting any further time let’s get started with our first topic that is,

Do Toms Make Your Feet Stink?Do Toms Make Your Feet Stink

The simple answer to this question is Yes, Toms do make your feet stink. But keep in mind that your feet only stink if you are lazy with your foot care routine. The other reason might be your smelly sweat.

You need to keep in mind that Toms shoes are made from canvas which simply means that these shoes will be very light and comfy.

Toms are not hard like sneakers or other kinds of shoes. Their canvas material will absorb sweat from the feet into the fabric of the shoe.

So if you are wearing Toms then you need to be aware of the weather. If you are thinking about wearing them in rainy or humid weather then get ready for all the bad smells as these shoes absorb even a little amount of moisture and can create a bad smell.

What can you do to avoid the bad smell of these shoes? Let’s discuss this in detail. 

Can I Put My Toms Shoes in Washing Machine?

Putting your Toms in the washing machine in order to clean them is one of the worst ways to clean smelly Toms.

If you put your Toms in the washing machine then they will be ruined completely and you cant wear them again.

Not just washing machines but exposing your Toms to direct heat and placing them under running water can also ruin their integrity.

To determine whether the color of the shoes will fade or not, do a patch test first when cleaning the Toms.

Then air-dry them, do not ever put your Toms to direct sunlight otherwise the color will fade off.

How Do You Clean Smelly Toms Shoes?

As you know from the above heading that you can’t place your Toms shoes in the washing machine or under the running water simply shows that these shoes are very light so you need to be very careful in order to clean them.

So we are going to share some alternative suggestions that you can use for cleaning your smelly toms.

Note: Some of the suggestions are our remedies so before using any of our suggestions do a patch test before ruining your entire shoes.

Now let’s get started,

Get a New Pair of Insoles:

The leather insoles of Toms’s shoes are removable and replaceable.

But keep in mind that the original Toms brand does not make or sell these insoles but there are many good options in the marketplace that you can purchase and use as a new pair of shoe insoles.

Getting a new pair of insoles is one of the best options for preventing any bad smells.

A new pair will absorb a considerable amount of sweat and in this way, your Toms will not stink.

But keep in mind that you need to properly dry the new insoles otherwise they are also going to stink.

If this method sounds good to you then you have to buy new insoles first. Once you buy these insoles now it’s time to remove the old leather insoles from your old Toms.

Now use the old leather sole as a guide and cut the new sole according to the size and design of your old insole.

These insoles are very low in price and you get a good number of soles in a very less amount. You can change these insoles on regular basis too if you feel that they are causing the smell.

If you replace the soles of your shoes on daily basis then will remain fresh and they are not going to stink.

There are some types of soles that have deodorants in them so they smell fresh for a longer time compared to the normal ones that have no deodorants in them. 

TOMS Cleaner Or VANS Cleaner:

Yes, it is true that TOMS sells a shoe care kit that contains a shoe refresher, protector, and foaming cleanser but unfortunately, this shoe care kit is not available on their site and in stores also.

TOMS unfortunately stopped making this shoe care kit a long time ago. 

But no worries there is an alternative to this kit. VANS shoe care travel kit is one of the best alternatives for this problem. This kit comes with a foaming cleanser, water & stain shield, and a gel cleanser. 

If you dont want to invest in a VANS cleansing kit then there are lots of other options too. You can search on amazon and on some other shopping platforms.

Whether you are using a VANS cleansing kit or any other cleansing kit dont forget to do a patch test.

If you can’t find a good cleansing kit then you can also buy a cleaning solution that is made especially for canvas shoes. The smell will easily remove but the stains will be a problem for you. 

Use a Baking Soda for Cleaning Canvas or Toms Shoes:

You might have an idea about the amazing benefits of baking soda. It is one of the best ingredients for solving lots of home-related problems it is used in many home remedies.

It might shock you but it is 100% true that baking soda helps alot in removing the bad smell from your shoes.

Using baking soda for removing the smell of your shoes is very easy all you need to do is sprinkle some baking soda into your shoes and then let it sit for 24 hours. After 24 hours tap the shoes 3-4 times and all remaining baking soda will come off.

But when you are using baking soda keep in mind that this powder is white in color so it might be possible that it will cause white marks on your shoes.

You can remove these white marks from your shoes using a brush that is suitable for canvas shoes.

But it is possible that these marks will not get properly removed. The darker your TOMS shoes are the more visible color will be printed on them.

Wear Socks to Combat Shoe Smells:

If you want to prevent smelly Toms then make sure you wear socks. Most people who wear TOMS on daily basis avoid wearing socks which is not good at all.

Insoles and canvas uppers will become dirty and smelly as a result of sweat from your feet.

The simplest solution to prevent the smell in your TOMS is to wear socks. This does not mean you wear your regular socks which would be visible and ruin the look of your shoes, but rather specially designed socks that are hidden from view.

You can use sneaker socks or no shoe socks as they are not seen under TOMS. These shoes are also great for absorbing sweat and they create a boundary between the sole.

If you want to feel fresh and smell good, you need to wash your socks regularly.

Use Shoe and Foot Deodorizing Products:Use Shoe

When it comes to foot and shoe deodorizing products there are thousands of options available in the market that help you in getting rid of these bad shoe smells.

There are many different types of deodorizing powders and foot sprays on the market.

There are such kinds of products too that can be placed in your shoes. The main thing is to find the product that works perfectly for your smelly shoes. 

Go for the ones that have lemon and lavender essentials in them as these two ingredients work effectively in removing the smell from your stinky shoes.

These powders are very similar to baking soda so it is better to use them in small quantities otherwise it will ruin the overall look of your Toms.

If you dont want to ruin your Toms then use the sprays or deodorizing balls as they will not leave any marks 

How to Wash and Dry Toms Shoes?Wash and Dry Toms ShoesWash and Dry Toms Shoes

We all know that putting the Toms in the washing machine is not a proper way to clean them but still there are some people who want to try this method.

Keep in mind that if you are going to use a washing machine for cleaning your Toms then make sure you use a very mild detergent even if the stains and smell are very strong.

Now start your process by setting the washing machine on the coldest water setting and the most gentle cycle setting.

Once the washing machine procedure is done do not even think about putting your shoes in the dryer. Let them air dry and keep them away from the direct sunlight.

Taking a softer approach and cleaning them properly would be a more sensible solution. Now using a brush that has soft bristles remove all the dust and dirt from the entire shoes.

Now you need a bucket with lukewarm water and mild detergent. You can also use any mild dish soap it will work perfectly too.

Now dip the brush or toothbrush in this water and detergent mix and then gently rub the shoes with it.

Once the shoes are clean properly let them air dry. Place some newspaper or old cloth inside the shoes in order to keep the shoes in their perfect shape.

Mix White Vinegar and Baking Soda:

This method is suitable for light-colored Toms only because we are going to use baking soda along with vinegar which is going to leave a white cast on your dark-colored shoes.

So if you own dark-colored Toms then avoid this method.

So you need to mix 2 full tablespoons of white vinegar along with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and then mix them.

Now wet your shoes properly with cold water. Once your shoes are properly wet now rub the soda and vinegar mixture on your dirty shoes.

For rubbing the mixture use a soft toothbrush or towel or any soft fabric.

Once the dirt and smell are all gone now you need to wipe it off with a clean damp cloth. Let them air-dry properly and then you can wear them again.

Keep in mind that this method is only appropriate for white or light-colored shoes. 

Use Rubbing Alcohol:

You can’t seem to get rid of the odor that comes from bacteria in your feet. Using rubbing alcohol to neutralize the odor is a great way to deal with this.

Using the rubbing alcohol for neutralizing the smell is very easy all you need to do is take a dry cloth and dip it in the rubbing alcohol.

Now wipe your shoes especially the leather insoles with this alcohol-dipped cloth. As a result, the nasty bacteria will be unable to thrive and the problem will be prevented.

Use Unused Tea Bags: 

Unused tea bags are a great way to remove the smell from stinky shoes. This might sound unusual but it’s true that tea bags are a great way to remove the bad odor.

Let unused tea bags work their magic in your shoes by placing two or three into them overnight.

Different flavored tea bags will work differently. You can use your favorite flavors and your shoes will smell like them for a long time.

If you dont know much about the flavors of teabags then we will recommend you to use lemon and lavender scents as they are some of the safest options.

Wrapping it All Up!!

So I hope that this article helped you alot as we have discussed lots of methods related to how to clean smelly toms shoes effectively.

Let us know in the comment section which article helped you alot in removing the stain and stink from your Toms.