If you have a brand-new pair of shoes but they smell like rubber, you might need some tips on how to remove the rubber smell from shoes. Try air drying them by leaving the shoes outside in a garden, if the weather permits, or a garage. Letting them air out for a day or two can help with getting rid of the rubber odor. This is especially good if you can leave them out in the sun as UV rays will help to neutralize the odor on the shoes. Only leave them out for a maximum of 2 hours at a time as the sun could affect the material. If you don't have the right weather to air dry, you can leave the shoes submerged in a bath of water and white vinegar for one hour and then air dry at home.