Stinky feet: what to do? Causes, tips and solutions
What to do about stinky feet?
You take off your shoes at the end of a long day and there it is again: that pungent, uncomfortable smell of sweat. Stinky feet (in medical terms bromhidrosis mentioned) is a common problem that can cause quite a bit of embarrassment. Fortunately, it is very easy to solve if you know where the smell is really coming from.
What to do about stinky feet (The quick answer)
To get rid of stinky feet for good, you don't need to mask the odour, but tackle the bacteria and sweat. Follow this effective 2-step plan:
Kill the bacteria in your shoes: Sprinkle antibacterial shoe powder daily (such asPediFris® Classic) in your footwear. This eliminates the bacteria and fungi responsible for the pungent smell.
Stop the sweat supply: Use an anti-perspirant foot spray (such asPediSpray®) to calm overactive sweat glands. Less sweat means no more breeding ground for new bacteria.
ℹ️ Ensure good hygiene: Wash and dry your feet thoroughly (especially between the toes) and wear breathable, cotton or wool socks.
By
Judith de Jong, Content owner, PediFris®
Medically reviewed by Sébastian Deqidt, podiatrist
· Updated on 25 June 2026
Smelly feet are caused by bacteria breaking down your sweat. PediSpray® reduces sweating on the skin (Regular 15%, Strong 20%), whilst PediFris® Classic keeps your shoes dry and odour-free. Together, they tackle the odour at its source.
Recommended for smelly feet: PediSpray® antiperspirant + PediFris® Classic
What to do about smelly feet
How to get rid of smelly feet
Smelly feet (bromhidrosis) are usually not caused by poor hygiene, but by bacteria breaking down sweat on your skin — this produces the characteristic odour. Less sweat means less food for those bacteria. That is why a two-step approach works best: inhibiting bacterial growth on the skin and keeping the foot dry inside the shoe.
Step 1
Reduce sweating with PediSpray®
Apply PediSpray® in the evening to clean, dry feet. The aluminium salts inhibit sweat production — less sweat means less food for odour-causing bacteria. Start with Regular (15%); for persistent odours, use Strong (20%).
Step 2
Keep your feet dry with PediFris® Classic
Sprinkle PediFris® Classic powder into your shoes in the morning. It absorbs moisture and kills the bacteria in the lining that cause the odour, keeping the shoe itself fresh too.
Step 3
Alternate your shoes and let them air out
Do not wear the same shoes two days in a row; leave them to dry for 24 hours. Clean cotton or woollen socks and, where possible, open-toed footwear help to keep odours at bay.
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What are stinky feet?
Many people think fresh sweat smells, but this is a fable. In fact, fresh sweat is virtually odourless!
The typical stench of stinky feet only occurs when bacteria and fungi (which naturally live on your skin) come into contact with sweat and dead skin cells.
Once they break this down, a pungent smell is released. And because your feet are trapped in warm, damp shoes all day, you unconsciously create the ultimate laziness for these organisms.
Banish the Smell from your Shoes with PediFris® Classic
The most common mistake made when fighting stinky feet? Washing the feet, but forgetting the shoes! As long as the bacteria and fungi still live in the lining of your favourite trainers or work shoes, the smell returns with lightning speed as soon as you put them back on.
With PediFris® Classic This powerful spreading powder does not cover up anything with a layer of perfume, but actively kills these odour-causing agents.
How it works: Simply sprinkle half a teaspoon of powder into your shoes before putting them on. The powder does its job for the rest of the day, so you can take your shoes off worry-free.
No more embarrassment when your shoes come off
Take off your shoes confidently wherever you are.
PediSpray® Foot Spray: Dry Feet, Less Sweat
To complete the treatment, we need to make sure the feet stay dry. Where a standard deodorant merely sprays a (temporary) layer of perfume over the smell, is PediSpray® a powerful anti-perspirant.
The high-quality aluminium salts in the spray safely calm overactive sweat glands. This reduces sweat production and keeps your feet wonderfully dry. Without sweat, bacteria and fungi have nothing to break down, and without breakdown... there is no smell!
Application: Spray PediSpray® at night before going to bed on clean, dried feet (don't forget the areas between your toes). Use 4 to 6 pumps and allow skin to air dry completely.
Operation: After one application, your feet are guaranteed to stay dry and fresh for up to 5 days. Use it daily for the first week and then easily build up to once or twice a week.
The ultimate 1-2 combination against stench
Dry feet and 100% bacteria-free shoes.
The Result: Fresh Feet, Odour-free Shoes, and Regained Confidence
If you treat only your feet óó only your shoes, you'll keep fighting a losing battle.
Through the golden combination of PediFris® Classic(for your shoes) and PediSpray®(for your feet), you break this vicious circle once and for all.
You'll enjoy clean, dry feet every day and shoes that no longer smell like an old cheese shop.
Tackle smelly feet at the source.
The smell of smelly feet only disappears if you reduce sweating and keep your shoes dry. PediSpray® does the former on your skin, while PediFris® Classic does the latter inside your shoes. Together, they keep your feet and shoes fresh all day long.
Frequently asked questions about stinky feet
Answers to frequently asked questions about causes (bromhidrosis), deodorant vs antiperspirant, odours such as ammonia, socks, infectiousness and when to see a GP.
What is bromhidrosis (stinky feet) and how does the smell occur?
Smelly feet — often referred to medically as bromhidrosis — occur when bacteria and fungi on your skin come into contact with sweat and skin flakes. Fresh sweat itself has hardly any smell; the pungent odour is caused by micro-organisms breaking down sweat, releasing volatile substances in the process.
Heat, moisture and closed shoes (often synthetic) intensify this effect: your feet and shoes become a greenhouse in which odour builds up more quickly.
Why is foot deodorant alone not enough?
A standard foot deodorant mainly masks the odour: the fragrance covers the smell, but sweat production and bacteria in the shoe remain.
For a more sustainable approach, you need an antiperspirant on the skin — such as PediSpray® — which helps to calm overactive sweat glands. Combine this with PediFris® Classic in your footwear to tackle odour-causing bacteria and fungi at the source.
Why does it sometimes smell like ammonia or "cat piss"?
Certain strains of bacteria in damp, poorly ventilated shoes break down sweat into substances that smell like ammonia — often described as a “cat urine smell”. That odour permeates the lining and fibres.
PediFris® Classic targets bacteria in footwear and helps to reduce this stubborn odour, particularly when combined with drier feet (less sweat = less food for bacteria).
Which socks and shoes are smartest for stinky feet?
Choose socks made from breathable materials: cotton, bamboo or (merino) wool. Avoid synthetics that trap sweat, such as polyester, as the main material.
Rotate your shoes: do not wear the same pair two days in a row and allow shoes to dry for at least 24 hours. This keeps the inside less damp and less conducive to odour-causing bacteria.
Are stinky feet contagious?
The odour itself is not something you “pass on” like a virus. However , fungi — for example, in the context of athlete’s foot — can be contagious via wet floors, changing rooms or shared shoes.
Good hygiene, dry feet and clean shoes reduce that risk.
When should I see a GP?
For most people, smelly feet can be effectively treated at home with the right products and habits. See your GP if you have pain, open wounds, signs of a serious infection, or if you have diabetes and are concerned about your feet.
If symptoms are persistent or severe, your doctor may also discuss other options (for example, in cases of severe hyperhidrosis).
About the author & sources
Written by Judith de Jong (Content owner, PediFris®) and medically reviewed by Sébastian Deqidt, podiatrist. We base our advice on foot care practice and on the medical sources listed below.
Worried about a persistent complaint, fungal nail, athlete’s foot or excessive sweating? Consult your GP, podiatrist or chiropodist.
Sources
- NHS: Smelly feet — www.nhs.uk
