# Stinky Running Shoes

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stinky-running-shoes/79850>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 5, 2001, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stinky-running-shoes/79850 "2001-09-05T13:19:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![gabbyhayes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de0a6/32.png) [@gabbyhayes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabbyhayes)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stinky-running-shoes/79850/21 "2001-09-06T14:45:55Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Ennui \*  
> \*\*Now I’ve never tried this with running shoes, but it worked great with my old work boots:
> 
> Take two old socks, just make sure they’re hole free, and fill each with a good two or three cups of kitty litter. Use one of the more scented varieties for this. Tie the tops of the socks shut and when you take the shoes off put one sock in each shoe and let sit. I found that would dry the boot out quickly which seamed to be at least half the smell battle, and the deodorant properties of the kitty litter go to good use as well.
> 
> And hey, if it doesn’t work all you’ll be out is two old socks and a buck and a half for the litter. \*\*

Office Depot and other stores that sell storage bins and boxes also sell dessicant products (little bags of crystals or plastic boxes) to soak up humidity in the air which might lead to break down of paper, rusting of staples and paperclips, etc. They’ll work like the kitty litter without the perfumy smell. Be sure to use fresh kitty litter in your shoes–not the used kind. You can dump the kitty litter in the litter box when it stops working in your shoes, but old dessicant pouches and boxes won’t work in your litter box.

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