The 3-Step Guide to Deodorize New Balance 990v6 Without Ruining Suede
- Never put suede in the washing machine Water and agitation cause color bleeding and permanent surface damage to the 990v6's premium grey suede panels.
- Pull the insoles first The sealed pocket under the insole is where odor-causing bacteria thrive — exposing it to air is the most important first step.
- A natural spray seals the deal A plant-based shoe deodorizer sprayed into the interior (never onto the suede) locks in freshness without leaving residue or damaging the material.
You paid good money for those 990v6s. That premium grey suede isn't just a design choice — it's the whole reason you chose them. So when a smell starts creeping out every time you kick them off, the instinct to throw them in the washing machine is real. But that instinct will cost you.
Washing machines and suede are enemies. The agitation, the heat, the soaking — it causes color bleeding, surface matting, and warping that no amount of stuffing with newspaper will fix. One wash and those gorgeous grey panels can come out looking blotchy, stiff, and sad. And then you've got a $185 problem instead of a $5 one.
The good news? You don't need to wash them. These three steps will pull the odor out of your 990v6s without a single drop of water touching the suede. Here's exactly what to do.
Step 1: Pull the Insoles and Let the Interior Breathe
Remove the insoles completely and leave both the insoles and the shoe interior exposed to open air for at least 4 hours before any treatment. Trapped moisture under the insole is the primary odor source in the 990v6.
Most people skip this part. They spray something in the shoe, shove the insoles back in, and wonder why the smell returns in two days. Here's what's actually happening: the 990v6's removable insole creates a sealed pocket underneath it. Sweat pools there, stays warm and damp, and that's where the odor-causing bacteria thrive. If you don't expose that area, you're just masking the problem.
Pull both insoles out and set them aside — separately from the shoes. Place the 990v6s upright near a window or fan, opening facing out. Don't put them in sunlight (UV can fade that suede faster than you'd think, especially on the lighter grey colorways). Let everything breathe for a few hours. This step alone, done consistently after every wear, will dramatically slow down odor buildup over time.
While they're airing out, check the insoles themselves. If they're visibly stained, worn through, or smell even when dry, it might be time to replace them. New Balance sells OEM replacements, or you can grab a fresh pair of aftermarket insoles for around $15. A clean insole is a huge part of keeping the shoe smelling clean.
After pulling the insoles on your 990v6s, flip them over and check the underside — that's where moisture pools and transfers back into the footbed. Wipe the underside of the insole with a dry cloth before setting them out to air. Most people only air the top surface, so the damp underside keeps re-contaminating the shoe interior every time you put them back in.
Step 2: Treat the Interior with Baking Soda — the Right Way
Sprinkle a light, even layer of baking soda directly into the shoe's interior (not on the suede exterior), let it sit overnight, and shake it out completely before wearing. Baking soda neutralizes acidic odor molecules without any moisture that could damage the suede.
Baking soda is one of those things that actually works, but most people either use too much or don't leave it long enough. You only need about a teaspoon per shoe — enough to coat the footbed with a thin, even layer. Dump it in, tilt the shoe to spread it around, and then leave it.
Overnight is the sweet spot. Eight hours gives the baking soda enough contact time to pull moisture and neutralize the acids responsible for that stale, sweaty smell. Set them by the door before bed and shake them out in the morning.
A few things to watch for: make sure you shake them out thoroughly. Leftover baking soda under the insole can clump when you sweat and create a gritty residue. Give each shoe a firm shake over a trash can, then tap the sole to dislodge anything left in the toe box. And keep the baking soda entirely on the inside — it won't hurt the suede, but there's no reason for it to go anywhere near the exterior.
This is a good method for maintenance, but if the odor is already built up over months of wear, baking soda alone won't get you to "fresh." That's where Step 3 does the heavy lifting.
For more on why washing machines can actually make odor problems worse rather than better, this article is worth a read: Why Washing Smelly Gym Shoes is Actually Making Them Stink More.
And if you're curious about the actual science behind bromodosis — the clinical term for foot odor — the short version is that it comes from bacteria breaking down sweat, not the sweat itself. That's why moisture control in Step 1 matters so much.
Step 3: Use a Suede-Safe Deodorizer Spray as Your Finishing Move
After airing and baking soda treatment, spray a natural, plant-based shoe deodorizer into the interior of the 990v6 from about 6 inches away, replace the insoles, and allow to dry fully before wearing. Never spray directly onto the suede exterior.
This is the step that locks the freshness in. But the spray you use matters — a lot.
Standard aerosol fresheners and chemical-heavy sprays can leave residue, overspray onto the suede, and create a damp interior that invites more odor down the line. You want something natural, fast-drying, and formulated for footwear specifically.
We recommend the Extra Strength Shoe Deodorizer Spray from Lumi Outdoors. The lemon and eucalyptus formula is plant-based, dries quickly, and doesn't leave the kind of sticky residue that cheaper sprays do. Two or three short bursts into the interior — not a heavy soak — is all it takes. Hold the nozzle 6 inches from the opening, spray, and let it air for 10 minutes before putting the insoles back in.
If you want something a little more subtle in scent (especially if you're sensitive to strong citrus), the Natural Lavender Tea Tree Shoe Deodorizer Spray is a great option. Same plant-based formula, same suede-safe application, just with a calmer herbal scent that doesn't overpower the room when you open the closet door.
The key rule for suede: spray into the shoe, not onto it. The interior lining of the 990v6 is textile-based and handles moisture well. The suede panels on the exterior do not. Keep the nozzle aimed inward and you'll have no issues.
If you want to be totally sure your spray approach is safe for premium sneaker materials, this related guide on why pure tea tree oil for shoes is a myth explains what actually works in a deodorizing formula — and why dilution and formulation matter more than raw ingredients.
If your 990v6s have been carrying a serious odor for a while — we're talking months of daily wear — you might want to skip straight to the Extra Strength formula. Think of it this way: the baking soda treatment softens the problem, and the spray closes it out. Done right, you should walk away with shoes that smell genuinely clean, not just masked.
Nothing's perfect though. Here's what worked and what didn't:
- Completely safe for suede — no water, no machine washing required
- Three steps that take under 10 minutes of actual effort
- Baking soda treatment is cheap and genuinely effective for mild odors
- Natural spray eliminates odor at the source rather than masking it
- Works as ongoing maintenance, not just a one-time fix
- Built-up odor from months of wear may require 2–3 treatment cycles before it fully clears
- Baking soda step requires overnight wait time — not a quick same-day fix
And because the product does the heavy lifting, you don't need the full DIY routine every single time. Once the odor is under control, a quick spray after each wear is enough to maintain it. That's it.
If you want to skip the multi-step DIY process and just have a reliable spray ready for every pair of shoes in the house, the natural spray is the one we keep by the door:
What You'll Need
- Baking soda (for overnight interior treatment)
- Suede protector spray (for exterior moisture barrier)
- Extra Strength Shoe Deodorizer Spray Check Price →
- Cedar shoe trees or newspaper (to maintain shape while airing)
What Else You Should Know About Suede and Odor Over Time
Suede's porous texture makes it a natural odor trap — not because it's a low-quality material, but because its open fibers hold onto moisture longer than smooth leather or mesh does. Regular maintenance is the only real answer.
The 990v6 uses a mix of suede and mesh panels, which means odor actually spreads across both materials. The mesh breathes better, but the suede holds moisture at the surface for longer. That combination is part of why the shoe can smell fine in the morning and noticeably musty by afternoon if you're on your feet all day.
According to research from the National Institutes of Health, bacteria on the skin surface multiply rapidly in warm, moist environments — and the inside of a closed shoe is exactly that environment. The faster you can interrupt the moisture cycle after each wear, the slower odor builds.
Suede protector spray is worth applying every 3–4 months as well. It won't stop odor on its own, but it creates a slight barrier on the surface that slows moisture absorption through the panels. Apply it to a clean, dry shoe (never a damp one) and let it cure for 24 hours before wearing.
For a parallel look at how other premium shoe materials handle moisture and odor, the guide on cleaning UGG Tasmans without ruining the sheepskin covers similar material-safe logic and is worth bookmarking if you've got other delicate footwear in the rotation.
The bottom line: the 990v6 is a premium shoe built to last years if you treat it right. These three steps — air it out, treat with baking soda, finish with a natural spray — take about 10 minutes of actual effort. That's a reasonable trade for keeping a great pair of shoes in rotation longer.
Want to keep your shoes smelling fresh without touching the suede?
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Frequently Asked Questions
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