Smelly feet: what to do about foot odour?
You wash your feet, put on clean socks, and yet that pungent odour appears as soon as shoes or bed linen come into play. Smelly feet are a personal issue, but the mechanism is straightforward: bacteria + moisture, not “dirty sweating” as a moral judgement.
This page is about foot odour / smelly feet(skin), not just about shoe odour. Approach: PediSpray® on the skin plus PediFris® Classic in the shoe when it is used.
Why washing alone does not remove the odour
Fresh sweat is virtually odourless. The typical stench of smelly feet only develops when bacteria (and sometimes fungi) break down sweat and dead skin cells. Trapped inside warm shoes or socks, this mixture remains damp for hours.
Washing and deodorant merely mask the odour or rinse it away superficially. Without reducing moisture on the skin and ensuring a drier, cleaner shoe, the odour will return. That is why tackling foot odour requires both a skin care routine and a shoe care routine.
A three-step approach
Less moisture on the skin, bacteria in the shoe, and daily hygiene that sticks.
Reducing sweating on dry feet
Apply PediSpray® (Regular or Strong) to clean, dry feet. Less sweat means less ‘food’ for odour-causing bacteria during the day.
Dry and freshen the shoe
Sprinkle PediFris® Classic into dry shoes. The powder tackles micro-organisms in the lining, preventing the odour from building up again every morning.
Socks, drying, changing
Dry your feet thoroughly (including between the toes), change your socks daily, choose breathable pairs and rotate your shoes so that each pair can dry out.
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17 Jul. 2026
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Bromhidrosis: foot odour, not “unpleasant odour”
Medically, strong foot odour is often referred to as bromhidrosis: the bacterial breakdown of sweat. It is not contagious like a virus, and it does not imply that poor hygiene is the sole cause. Heat, moisture, synthetic footwear and excessive sweating all play a part.
Does it have a pungent smell of ammonia or “cat urine”? This is consistent with bacterial decomposition in a damp environment. A perfumed foot deodorant alone rarely masks this; you’re then missing the shoe as a reservoir.
Why ‘Spray’ is listed first here
With smelly feet, the problem starts on the skin: moisture + bacteria. PediSpray® inhibits perspiration whilst providing a disinfectant effect. PediFris® Classic comes into play as soon as shoes become part of the odour cycle, so you don’t have to start all over again every evening.
When should you see your GP?
In the event of pain, open sores, diabetes, or if odour is accompanied by itching and cracks that appear on athlete’s foot appear. Excessive sweating: see what to do about sweaty feet en Thuisarts.nl on excessive sweating. Shoe odour as a separate entry?smelly shoes.
Ready to tackle foot odour at the source? Start with PediSpray® on dry feet and top up with PediFris® Classic in the shoe.
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 smelly feet
From bromhidrosis to deodorant, the smell of cat urine and socks: answers that match how people search.
What is bromhidrosis (smelly feet) and how does the odour develop?
Strong foot odour caused by the bacterial breakdown of sweat and skin debris. Fresh sweat has hardly any smell; the odour develops in warm, damp conditions (socks, shoes).
Why is a foot deodorant alone not enough?
Deodorant merely masks odours or dries the surface. Without reducing sweating on the skin and without keeping the shoes dry and fresh, the source of the odour remains. Combine Spray + Classic if shoes are involved.
Why does it sometimes smell of ammonia or “cat urine”?
This relates to bacterial breakdown in damp linings or on the skin. Airing helps temporarily; for a long-term solution: reduce moisture (Spray) + use powder in the shoe (Classic).
Which socks and shoes are best for smelly feet?
Breathable materials, change daily, dry feet thoroughly. Rotate pairs so that shoes can dry. See also socks for sweaty feet.
Are smelly feet contagious?
No, not as a virus. However, fungal infections may be a separate factor. In cases of itching or cracks: check for athlete’s foot.
When should I see my GP?
In the event of pain, signs of infection, diabetes, or persistent fungal infections. See Thuisarts.nl.
About the author & sources
Written by Judith de Jong (Content owner, PediFris®). Medically reviewed by Sébastien Dequidt, podiatrist. Updated on 25 July 2026. 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
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