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@lamariniere: So this happened when C started to take off her socks and wear her sneakers - they smelled awful! What's worked for us is to spray Febreeze into them and then let them dry out in the sun. I've also seen stuff online that says putting tea bags into the shoes will absorb the smell or get a coffee filter (or a fine mesh bag) and fill with baking soda and place them in the shoe or you can fill with laundry detergent and place in the shoe. Good luck!

I read somewhere that putting them into the freezer for a couple of days is supposed to help. Never tried it myself though.

Lots of things can help, but nothing will take out all the smell once it's there. The best route is prevention, letting each pair of shoes air out thoroughly for at least 24 hours between wears. Wearing the same pair day after day just feeds moisture-loving bacteria and fungus. We keep our shoes on rotation now and don't get the smell anymore.

My husband has the smelliest sneakers ever since he manages a restaurant... We put baking soda in them and leave them outside on the porch. He rotates between pairs every couple of days. He also gets high-quality sports socks (not brand loyal).