You can disinfect used shoes effectively with household supplies like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or antifungal sprays, combined with proper drying. The method you choose depends on the shoe material: canvas and fabric shoes can handle machine washing at high temperatures, while leather and synthetic shoes need surface disinfection by hand.
Used shoes can harbor bacteria and fungi that survive surprisingly well in the warm, dark environment inside footwear. Taking 20 to 30 minutes to properly clean and disinfect a pair before wearing them is a straightforward way to eliminate those organisms.
What’s Actually Living in Used Shoes
Shoes pick up a wide range of microorganisms from floors, skin, and sweat. The fungi that cause athlete’s foot (dermatophytes) are among the most common concerns with secondhand footwear, and they can persist in shoe materials for weeks. Bacteria like MRSA and E. coli have also been identified on footwear surfaces, though the risk of infection from casual shoe contact is much lower than from, say, an open wound.
The inside of a shoe is the bigger concern. Sweat, dead skin cells, and warmth create an ideal environment for fungal growth. Even shoes that look clean on the outside can carry fungal spores embedded in the insole and lining. That’s why disinfection should focus primarily on the interior.
Start by Removing Insoles and Laces
Pull out the insoles and laces before you do anything else. Insoles trap the most moisture and organic material, so they need direct contact with whatever disinfectant you use. If the insoles are visibly worn, stained, or smell strongly, replacing them with new ones is the simplest option and costs just a few dollars. Laces can go in the washing machine inside a mesh bag or be soaked in a disinfecting solution.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Most Shoe Types
A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (the standard concentration sold at drugstores) works as both a disinfectant and deodorizer. Spray it generously on the inside of the shoe, covering the toe box, heel, and sides of the interior. Let it sit for at least five minutes before wiping it away with a clean cloth.
For the outside of sneakers or canvas shoes, you can mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts baking soda to form a paste. Apply two layers, let it dry in the sun, then brush or wipe off the residue. This combination also helps with fungal contamination on the upper surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide can lighten colored fabrics, so test a small hidden area first on dark or brightly dyed shoes.
Rubbing Alcohol as an Alternative
Isopropyl alcohol (70% concentration) evaporates quickly and kills most bacteria and fungi on contact. Dampen a cloth or use a spray bottle to coat the shoe’s interior thoroughly. The fast evaporation rate is a real advantage here, since leftover moisture inside a shoe encourages the exact microbial growth you’re trying to eliminate. Alcohol works well on leather, synthetic materials, and fabric, though it can dry out leather over time. If you’re disinfecting leather shoes, follow up with a leather conditioner once the alcohol has fully evaporated.
Machine Washing for Canvas and Fabric Shoes
If the shoes are machine-washable (canvas sneakers, certain athletic shoes, cloth flats), a hot wash cycle is the most thorough option. Research on laundering contaminated textiles found that washing at 60°C (140°F) eliminated dermatophyte fungi completely, while washing at 40°C (104°F) left viable fungal spores behind. Most home washing machines with a “hot” setting reach at least 60°C.
Place the shoes in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag to protect both the shoes and your machine. Add your regular detergent. A full wash cycle at the hot setting, followed by complete drying, handles both bacteria and fungi. One important detail from the research: heat drying alone was not enough to kill dermatophytes. The combination of hot water washing and drying is what works, not just tumbling them in a dryer.
Air drying in direct sunlight is preferable to machine drying for most shoes, since the heat of a dryer can warp soles and break down adhesives. Stuff the shoes with newspaper or clean towels to absorb moisture and help them hold their shape.
Antifungal Sprays for Extra Protection
Over-the-counter antifungal sprays designed for feet and shoes add another layer of protection, especially if you’re concerned about athlete’s foot. Look for products containing one of three proven active ingredients: tolnaftate, miconazole nitrate, or clotrimazole. Tolnaftate is particularly useful because it both treats active fungal contamination and prevents recurrence. Miconazole typically takes two to four weeks of regular use to fully resolve an active infection but works well as a preventive treatment on shoes.
Spray the interior of the shoe after you’ve already cleaned and dried it. This isn’t a substitute for disinfection but works well as a follow-up step, especially for shoes you plan to wear regularly.
UVC Shoe Sanitizers
Consumer UVC sanitizing devices designed to fit inside shoes use ultraviolet light to kill fungi and bacteria. Research testing a commercial UVC shoe sanitizer found it effectively reduced fungal colonization in both leather and canvas shoes. A single irradiation cycle was just as effective as two or three cycles, so you don’t need to run the device repeatedly.
These devices typically cost between $30 and $80 and look like shoe inserts connected to a small power source. You place them inside the shoes, turn them on, and leave them for the recommended time (usually 15 to 45 minutes depending on the model). They’re a good investment if you regularly buy secondhand shoes or deal with recurring foot fungal issues.
Drying Is the Most Important Step
No disinfection method matters much if you store the shoes while they’re still damp. Fungi and bacteria need moisture to grow, and a wet shoe interior will recolonize quickly. After any liquid disinfection method, dry the shoes completely before wearing or storing them. Place them in direct sunlight or a warm, well-lit room with good airflow. Stuffing them with crumpled newspaper speeds up the process by pulling moisture out of the lining and insole.
For long-term storage, keep shoes in an environment with 40% to 50% relative humidity and consistent ventilation. Avoid sealed plastic bins or the back of a dark, humid closet. A simple shoe rack in a dry room with some air circulation is ideal.
Picking the Right Method for the Material
- Canvas sneakers and cloth shoes: Machine wash at 60°C (140°F) or higher, then air dry completely. Follow with antifungal spray if desired.
- Leather shoes and boots: Wipe interior with 70% isopropyl alcohol or spray with hydrogen peroxide. Condition the leather afterward. Consider a UVC sanitizer for a chemical-free option.
- Synthetic athletic shoes: Spray interior with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. Remove and separately disinfect insoles. Air dry in sunlight.
- Suede or delicate materials: Use a UVC sanitizer or lightly spray the interior only with alcohol, avoiding the outer surface. Antifungal shoe spray is also safe for interiors.
For any shoe type, replacing the original insoles with fresh ones is the single easiest upgrade. It removes the most contaminated layer entirely and gives you a clean surface to maintain going forward.