Do You Have to Throw Away Your Shoes When You Have Toenail Fungus?

Do You Have to Throw Away Your Shoes When You Have Toenail Fungus?

Not always. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises that you either throw away or disinfect the shoes you wore before you started treatment. That gives you a choice, and the right one depends on the shoe.

It is frustrating to treat your nails and still worry that your closet is working against you. You have more choices than tossing every pair, and a steady routine can help.

Not sure whether what you see on your nails is fungus? Our guide to the signs of toenail fungus can help you spot patterns worth mentioning to your doctor, who can confirm what is going on.

Which Shoes Should You Keep and Which Should You Replace?

Replace shoes that are old, cheap, or worn out, and keep the ones that are costly or easy to clean if you commit to a steady routine. Worn insoles and soft cushioning are hard to clean all the way through, so replacing them removes the guesswork. This table is a quick guide.

Which shoes count?

Start with every pair you wore before treatment began, as the AAD advises. That includes gym shoes, work boots, slippers, and shoes you only wear on weekends. Each pair has pressed against your feet, so each one could be holding fungus.

Can you just replace the insoles?

Often, yes, and it is a smart middle option. Insoles press against your skin all day, and they are inexpensive and simple to swap. This is practical advice rather than a studied method, so still disinfect the rest of the shoe with a spray or a UV sanitizer.

Why Do Shoes Make Toenail Fungus Come Back?

Shoes can hold on to fungus long after your nails start to look better. Your feet shed tiny fungal spores as you walk, and those spores settle into insoles, stitching, and fabric. Shoes are also dark, warm, and often damp from sweat, which is exactly what fungus likes.

A 2022 review in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association concluded that cleaning shoes, socks, and other textiles is an important part of preventing recurrence and spread of fungal foot infections. Researchers have also described footwear as a reservoir that can restart the cycle.

This is why some people believe their treatment failed when the fungus simply returned from their own shoes. Focusing only on your nails is like mopping up a spill without fixing the leaking pipe. If you are weighing your options for the nails themselves, our guide to oral antifungals, their benefits, risks, and alternatives is a good place to start, and you can read more about what causes toenail fungus in our Causes section.

What Does the Research Say About Shoes and Reinfection?

Research shows that cleaning shoes can reduce the amount of fungus inside them, but it has limits. In a 2012 laboratory study, researchers contaminated 24 pairs of leather and athletic shoes with fungi. A UVC shoe sanitizer reduced the amount of fungus left in the shoes. The 2022 review described earlier also called footwear sanitizing an important part of preventing recurrence.

Keep the limits in mind. Much of this work was done in a lab, not in people followed for years, so no study proves that shoe care alone keeps nail fungus from coming back. Recurrence can depend on your skin, your habits, and your surroundings. Think of shoe care as one part of a bigger plan that you build with your doctor.

What Are the Best Ways to Disinfect Shoes for Toenail Fungus?

The AAD names UV shoe sanitizers and antifungal sprays or powders among the options for disinfecting shoes. The best pick depends on your shoe material, your budget, and how much time you have.

Antifungal sprays and powders

These over the counter products are made for shoes and are easy to use every day. Many contain ingredients such as miconazole or tolnaftate. Spray the inside of your shoes thoroughly, or sprinkle powder deep into the toe box, and let it dry. Powders also soak up moisture, which makes the inside of the shoe less friendly to fungus.

The AAD suggests putting antifungal powder or spray in your shoes and on your socks before you get dressed, especially in hot weather and before a workout. These products will not clear a nail infection, but they can help keep fungus from growing in your shoes.

UV shoe sanitizers

These small devices slide into your shoes and use ultraviolet (UVC) light. Because they use no liquids, many people like them for shoes that do not tolerate sprays. Run times vary by device, so follow the instructions that came with yours, and check them before using the device on leather or suede.

Ozone sterilizers

Ozone devices use gas to disinfect footwear. The 2021 review describes ozone as another sanitizing option, and lab work found it active against fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Ozone also comes with safety concerns, which you can read about in the safety section below.

Household options

If you need something in a pinch, mix equal parts rubbing alcohol (or 3% hydrogen peroxide) and water in a spray bottle, or use equal parts white vinegar and water. Lightly mist the inside of the shoe and let it dry completely. Test a small hidden spot first, since alcohol can dry out leather and peroxide may change color. These home options are less studied for shoes, so think of them as a backup rather than your main plan.

How Do You Disinfect Your Shoes Step by Step?

A simple routine takes about five steps and works for most shoes. Always check the care label first.

1. Empty the shoe. Take out the insoles and the laces.
2. Wash what you can. Wash laces with your socks in hot water and detergent, and wash or replace insoles by their care label.
3. Disinfect the inside. Spray the inside thoroughly or use a UV sanitizer as directed.
4. Let it dry. The AAD recommends giving shoes 24 hours to dry before you wear them again.
5. Add powder or spray before wearing. This helps keep fungus from growing in your shoes and on your socks.

How Often Should You Treat Your Shoes, and When Can You Stop?

While you are dealing with an active infection, a common approach is to treat your shoes every time you take them off. Consistency matters more than any single product. Once your nails look healthier, a lighter routine, such as antifungal powder or spray once or twice a week, is a practical habit to keep.

When can you stop?

Toenails grow slowly, and a full nail can take up to 12 to 18 months to grow out. Many people keep a lighter routine until the new nail has fully grown in. Results vary, and nobody can promise an end date, so ask your doctor when it makes sense to ease up.

A few everyday habits also help your shoes stay dry and less welcoming to fungus:

• Give shoes about 24 hours to dry before wearing them again, as the AAD recommends.
• Choose breathable materials, such as canvas or mesh.
• Take insoles out overnight so they can air out.
• Wear sandals or shower shoes in locker rooms, gyms, and pool areas.

You can find more everyday habits in our Prevention and Hygiene articles.

Should You Throw Away Your Socks, and What Else Needs Cleaning?

At the very least, wash socks in hot water with detergent, and many people choose to replace older pairs once treatment is done. The AAD advises washing all socks in hot water and detergent while you are treating nail fungus.

Socks press against the same nails all day, which makes them an easy way for fungus to travel back to your feet. Because socks are inexpensive, replacing your oldest pairs is a simple way to remove doubt. Keep in mind that your doctor can tell you what fits your situation best.

Other items at home

Shoes are not the only items that touch your feet. The AAD advises never sharing nail clippers, unwashed towels, shoes, or other personal items, and sanitizing nail clippers before you use them. Wash towels and bath mats often, and wear shower shoes in shared showers, locker rooms, and pools.

Check your skin and your household too

Nail fungus often shows up alongside athlete's foot, a fungal skin infection of the feet. The 2021 review notes that it is important to check for athlete's foot and to examine and treat infected family members and housemates. Ask your doctor about any itchy or peeling skin between your toes.

Are UV Sanitizers, Ozone Devices, and Household Sprays Safe to Use?

They can be safe when you follow the directions, but each one has risks worth respecting. Our Risks, Complications and Safety articles cover more.

• UVC light: The FDA has warned that unsafe UVC exposure can injure the skin and eyes. Run a shoe sanitizer only inside the shoe, never look at the light, and keep it away from children and pets.
• Ozone: The EPA says inhaled ozone can damage the lungs and advises against ozone generators sold as air cleaners. If you use an ozone shoe device, use it in a room with good airflow, keep people and pets out, and follow the maker's instructions. UVC or sprays may be an easier choice.
• Mixed cleaners: Never mix cleaning products in one bottle. Some combinations, such as bleach with vinegar or ammonia, release harmful gases. Use one product at a time and let shoes air out between them.
• Alcohol sprays: Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so keep damp shoes away from flames and heaters until they dry.
• Delicate materials: Test a small hidden spot first, since alcohol can dry out leather and peroxide may change color.

What If You Only Have One Pair of Work Boots, Rental Shoes, or Shared Shoes?

Use the same routine, and add a few practical workarounds.

One pair of work boots

If you cannot rotate pairs, use a UV sanitizer or spray as soon as you take the boots off, pull out the insoles so they can air, and consider a boot dryer to speed up drying. Swapping in fresh insoles every so often can also help. If you can, buy a second pair, even an inexpensive one, so each pair gets time to dry.

Rental and shared shoes

Bowling shoes, skates, and ski boots are worn by many feet. The AAD advises never sharing shoes and other personal items. When you cannot avoid rentals, wear clean socks and avoid walking around barefoot afterward.

Diabetes or a weakened immune system

Foot problems can be more serious for people with diabetes or a weakened immune system. Talk with your doctor before starting a new routine, and check your feet regularly for cuts, sores, or changes.

When Should You See a Doctor About Toenail Fungus?

See a doctor if your nails hurt, look worse, or keep coming back, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Thick, yellow, or crumbly nails are not always caused by fungus, and other conditions can look similar. A doctor can confirm what is going on, often with a small nail sample.

Also check in for swelling, redness, pus, or skin that spreads. Shoe care supports your plan, but it does not replace medical advice.

Key Takeaways

• You do not always need to throw shoes away. The AAD says to replace or disinfect shoes worn before treatment.
• Replace old, cheap, or worn shoes and soft slippers. Save costly favorites with a steady routine, and consider swapping the insoles.
• Research shows shoe cleaning can reduce fungus in shoes, but it is not proven to prevent reinfection on its own.
• UV sanitizers and antifungal sprays or powders made for shoes are among the options the AAD names.
• Follow safety steps for UVC, ozone, and cleaning products, and never mix cleaners.
• Wash socks in hot water with detergent, and avoid sharing shoes, towels, and nail clippers.
• Toenails can take 12 to 18 months to grow out, so ask your doctor when to ease up, and see them if nails worsen or keep returning.