(Probably not what you’re thinking… 
)
I’ve been using neoprene booties to keep my feet somewhat warm (at least, not frozen) while kayaking. After paddling around in the salt water, I rinse the booties out in the sink. But now they’ve developed a most heinous funk. I’ve tried throwing them into the washer to wash them with detergent, and have propped them up on sticks in front of the heater to dry; but they are still rather malodourous.
So how do I remove the stink from my neoprene booties?
Have you tried a diluted bleach solution?
The cool thing about the internet is that there’s no problem so obscure that someone hasn’t already dealt with it somewhere. A quick check of some paddling related newsgroups reveals a couple of discussions devoted to nasty river shoes.
This thread has some good suggestions.
This thread discusses an enzyme-based deodorizer called “Sink the Stink”.
Thanks for the links, Finagle. I’ll look for STS at the dive shop. I thought it was interesting that someone suggested freezing. Not sure I want my smelly booties next to my pizza!
lieu: How diluted?
Bleach is rarely a good idea on anything but white cotton. I highly don’t recommend it.
Adding white vinegar to a wash cycle will help with really bad laundry odors, but I’m not sure about neoprene.
I froze a nasty set of Tevas and it worked great. It’s some particular type of bacteria that can survive all sorts of chemicals but dies when exposed to cold temperatures. Just put your booties in a Zip-Lock freezer bag so they don’t funkify your food!
The booties just barely fit in to large Zip-Loc bags. Got 'em in the freezer. I think we’re supposed to have rain through the weekend, so there’s time for the little organisms to snuff it.
Heinous Bootie Funk. Sweet band name. 