My boots are stinky -- help!

Asked by bpeoples (2551

) December 13th, 2008

So I was out hiking, forded a creek in my boots, and they flooded. Dried them out when I got back, but they were still stinky.

I washed them out in a bucket with some soap, but they still have a funk to them. The insoles are out, and actually don’t smell to bad. The stinky bit seems to be the cardboard at the sole, and the fabric inside.

Any ideas on how to fix it?

I’ve tried vodka spray, I’m currently letting the boots sit with borax and uncooked rice inside the shoe to try to dry anything out that’s in there.

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7 Answers

Rub those bad boys down with some mink oil. While you’re at it you can throw some in your hair.

peedub (8708

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Try baking soda powder.

seVen (3489

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Try coffee grounds. That takes bad smells out better than anything. Then spray with Febreeze.

jbfletcherfan (13212

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When our coolers get smelly, we pour some vanilla on an old rag and shove the rag in there for a day or two. It works like a charm. I don’t know if this will work for boots, but it can’t hurt.

bythebay (8214

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Thanks for the tips guys!

So far, it looks like the borox + rice followed by a rinse may have fixed them. They still smell a little interesting, so once they dry I may try something to mask the smell (mink oil and/or coffee grounds)

bpeoples (2551

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For future moisture incidents (or even heavy wear), boot dryers are inexpensive and effective. When I worked outside for living, they saved my life (or at least my feet).

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200342833_200342833

syz (36034

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