# How do I de-stink my birks?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [September 29, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034 "2005-09-29T15:42:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034/1 "2005-09-29T15:42:05Z")
I’ve never had this problem in nearly 13 years of birkenstock wearing.
My Boston clogs birks that I’ve owned for over a year have suddenly started to smell.
I made a fatal mistake by spraying the interior with lysol ( hey, the bowling alley does it to the rental shoes.) and now, the faint smell that was there is now worse because of chemicals+foot stink+heat=annoying stinkage.
Suggestions really needed!
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### Author:  [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034/2 "2005-09-29T16:03:34Z")
Check out the hunting section of your local WhateverMart or a hunting goods store. They sell laundry detergent/shampoos/body washes that elimit human scent so animals can’t smell you. Something like [this](http://www.cabelas.com/information/Archery/HuntersSpecialtiesScent-A-Way0004718.html). (Available in [dirt](http://www.cabelas.com/information/Archery/HuntersSpecialtiesScent-A-Way0004718/HuntersSpecialtiesScent-A-WayPlusSpray0004718413698a.html) and [acorn](http://www.cabelas.com/information/Archery/HuntersSpecialtiesScent-A-Way0004718/HuntersSpecialtiesScent-A-WayAcornSpray0004718416616a.html) scents!) I believe the sprays can be used on non-washable items, but check the label and do spot testing before using it on leather.
The detergent is the best thing I’ve found for getting cat urine smell out of my bookbag when my cat decides to revenge his abandonment on the weekends I visit home. The strangest thing is that when you’re done washing, it smells like _nothing_. I don’t know that it would fool a deer, but it’s good enough for my human nose.
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### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034/3 "2005-09-29T16:26:11Z")
Some of the heat resistant bacteria that makes the stink can (sometimes) be “frozen” dead when no other method works. Put them inside a freezer baggie to prevent frost damage, and and let them freeze for a few days.
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2005, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034/4 "2005-09-29T18:17:27Z")
Ooooh, all ideas seem logical to me.
However, going to a Cabela’s ( which is Mecca™ for my husband) would be a Very Bad Thing To Do. I ain’t going with him lest I die of boredom and he is most definately not authorized to go there unsupervised or with guy friends who hunt.
In the freezer they go!
Thanks Astro!
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### Author:  [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2005, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034/5 "2005-09-29T18:21:16Z")
Eh, I bought mine at Wal-Mart. And got to confuse the hell out of the clerk who helped me find it, since I was sporting the “soft-spoken librarian” look that day. It’s amazing what impression glasses and a sweater set give.
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### Author:  [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034/6 "2005-09-29T18:25:58Z")
I have heard that putting a dryer sheet in each sandal/shoe will freshen them. Might be worth a shot if you’ve got them around the house anyway.
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### Author:  [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-de-stink-my-birks/324034/7 "2005-09-29T20:42:43Z")
I don’t have Birkenstock/leather sandals so I’m not sure if this would work. But my sandals insole and sole (unisole?) are made of a rubber/plastic material and between washings in a washing machine with a small amount of bleach I will spray them with Fantastik and wipe them down. It does the trick for a temporary cleaning, but if your looking to not have that chemical smell, then this method might not be the best.