How to Get Rid of Shoe Cabinet Odor
Empty it, vacuum out the dust, wipe with alcohol and let baking soda absorb the smell. Your entryway will feel fresh again.
What you need
Supplies
- Rubbing alcohol (ethanol)
- 1 cup baking soda
- Newspaper
Tools
- Vacuum cleaner
- Spray bottle
- Dry cloth
- Paper cups or small bowls
How to do it
- 01
Take out every pair
Open the cabinet wide and lay all the shoes out in the entryway. This is a good moment to get rid of shoes you no longer wear, which leaves more room for air to circulate.
- 02
Vacuum dust and sand
Use the crevice tool to vacuum dirt and sand from the corners of each shelf. If the shelves come out, remove them and clean underneath.
- 03
Wipe with alcohol
Spray rubbing alcohol on the shelves and walls and wipe with a dry cloth. It kills the bacteria and mold behind the smell and dries quickly without leaving moisture.
- 04
Air it out
Leave the doors open for about 30 minutes to dry completely. Meanwhile, stuff crumpled newspaper into the shoes to draw out moisture.
- 05
Add baking soda and restock
Put a paper cup of baking soda on each shelf and put the shoes back. Replace the baking soda every month or two; reuse the old baking soda for cleaning drains.
Be careful
- Alcohol is flammable. Keep flames away and ventilate until it has fully evaporated.
- Alcohol can affect the finish on wooden or painted cabinets. Test a hidden spot first.
- Never put rain-soaked shoes straight in. Let them dry completely first.
Malkkeum tips
- Not wearing the same shoes two days in a row gives the sweat inside time to dry, which cuts odor dramatically.
- Leaving the cabinet doors open for 10 minutes a day lets moisture escape.
- Fully dried coffee grounds absorb odors just like baking soda.
What causes shoe cabinet smell
The smell comes from bacteria feeding on sweat and dead skin inside shoes, combined with moisture trapped in a closed space. Cleaning the cabinet helps, but if damp shoes keep going in, the smell returns quickly. Drying shoes before storing them is just as important as cleaning.
If you see mold
White or black spots on shelf corners or walls are mold. Wipe them away with alcohol and keep a moisture absorber in the cabinet. Mold is most common during rainy seasons and winter condensation, so open the cabinet wide once a month then.
FAQ
Can I just use an air freshener? Air fresheners only cover the smell; they do not remove the cause. Clean and dry first, then add a scent if you like.
