Help! My sandals stink!

[singular1]

I have a pair of Bites sandals that I really like, but the (I think) leather insoles are rank! I don't know how to clean them, and I can't find anywhere on the site that says I can replace them. Any suggestions?

[Shecky]

Originally Posted by singular1

I have a pair of Bites sandals that I really like, but the (I think) leather insoles are rank! I don't know how to clean them, and I can't find anywhere on the site that says I can replace them. Any suggestions?

Try going to a scuba diving store and getting a product called Sink the Stink. It's used mostly for wetsuits, but I've used it on fabric, leather and even plastic. Aside from that, a paste of baking soda may do the trick, but I've never done it.

[norinew]

Originally Posted by Shecky

Aside from that, a paste of baking soda may do the trick, but I've never done it.

I'm not sure I'd do a paste of anything, as that may harm the leather, or stain it. However, baking soda is cheaper than dirt. Buy a couple of boxes, put the shoes in a cardboard or plastic box, and cover the insoles completely with baking soda. Let them stay covered for two or three days. Dust 'em off, and see if you were successful. I figure this is cheap enough that even if it doesn't work, you haven't lost much. But I've had good success getting really rank things un-stinky with baking soda.

[Anaamika]

The baking soda idea is a good one. Then, after you do that, put a bottle of foot powder near wherever you take your shoes off, and every day after you take them off, pour the powder in right away. It'll keep them from stinking again.

[Duck Duck Goose]

A. Call their 800 number and ask them about buying new insoles? 800 .248. 3465

B. Found this, FWIW.

Leather Shoe Insoles Cleaning
You can clean leather shoe insoles by scrubbing them with a nail brush or similar small brush and either a commercial leather cleaner that you can purchase at a shoe repair shop or saddle soap. Murphy´s Oil Soap also works well. Allow them to dry in the sun, and do not wear them until they are thoroughly dry.

Saddle soap is sold at Wal-Mart and Target, on the display in the shoe section that has shoelaces and shoe polish.

C. You can buy new leather insoles from other people.

[singular1]

You guys rock! Thank you so very, very much! I'll try the baking soda for the short term and the Murphy's soap when I've got a few days to let them dry in the sun. Now the $7.95 has paid for itself once again!

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Ahem.

Try 90% tapwater, 10% Chlorine Bleach.

Wipe with cloth, moistened (but not wet) with solution.

Let stand for 10 minutes.

Bacteria gone = Stink gone.

[Swallowed My Cellphone]

Originally Posted by Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor

Ahem.

Try 90% tapwater, 10% Chlorine Bleach.

Wipe with cloth, moistened (but not wet) with solution.

Let stand for 10 minutes.

Bacteria gone = Stink gone.

I do somethgn similar with my rock climbing shoes. I got a little spray bottle designed for travelling (you're supposed to put hairspray in it). I put 70% rubbing alcohol in it and mist my shoes lightly after every big workout. Dries them out and kills the nasties.

[vivalostwages]

Pick up a pair of Okabashis some time. They are antimicrobial and smell rather like chocolate, but never like anything objectionable.

[essell]

Originally Posted by Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor

Bacteria gone = Stink gone.

bacteria don't smell, their by-products do.
A case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted?

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Originally Posted by essell

bacteria don't smell, their by-products do.
A case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted?

No. Water & bleach will remove the by-products (bacteria doodie) as well.

[DrDeth]

I second Baking soda. But other ideas:

Sunlight. Put them out on a nice sunny day and let the sun kill the germs.

Lysol spray.

Antifungal foot powder.

Febreeze.

Bleach will work, but it destroys some materials, so use with caution.

[Subway Prophet]

I've found that putting them in the freezer for a couple of days helps too. This should only work with the bacteria and not their poo, but I've had some success with a light washing beforehand.

There ain't nothing more satisfying in the world, then donning a shockingly cold pair of sandals on a hot Texas summer day.