Remedy for wet/stinky boots?? New ones not in the budget!

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Ugh! This weather is driving me nuts! We have a melt of all our snow and my boys got their winter boots SOAKED in a stinky/swampy puddle and now their boots are STILL wet and all stinky from days ago! I almost want to toss them...but really don't want to spend the $$ on new boots!

Any remedies out there? I appreciate any help!!

 

[luvs2cruise]

When my daughter's soccer cleats get soaked and smelly, I put newspaper in them to absorb all the moisture. I usually have to change the newspaper several times throughout the day but will be dry in about a day.

 

[merrily]

This probably won't help you now but invest in a boot dryer. I got one very inexpensively at TJMaxx earlier this winter.

Fresh Fogger works great for stinky shoes.

 

[DCbride]

Soccer cleat have got to be the worst for wet and smell. I do what the PP said- stuff with newspaper and remove and repeat every few hours. And baking soda is helpful in removing smells.

 

[njmom47]

I do what the PP said- stuff with newspaper and remove and repeat every few hours. And baking soda is helpful in removing smells.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest as well.

 

[csharpwv]

I highly recommend damp chaser - you can buy it in canisters at Lowes.
You will want to take a NEW (no holes) pair of panty hose/knee highs and pour the lumps in the container into the hose, and leave it over night or longer depending on how wet.
You will have no more than $8.00 invested - and as long as you tie off the product into the last 8-10 inches of the hose, you will be able to put them in the sun on a very hot day and reuse over and over.

Something to think about - the next time you buy a clothes dryer, buy one with a shoe rack. It hooks on to the door or other location and allows you to SIT shoes on the rack, in the dryer (with nothing else in it) and shoes/boots etc will dry in a normal dryer cycle! It works REALLY well!

 

[NVDisMom]

We have this problem with our ski boots. We call it boot funk! If the boots have removable liners you will want to remove them and dry out the liner and the shell. We put them near the fireplace or heater vent over night to dry them out, then spray them down with Lysol. That usually kills whatever nastiness didn't go away with the drying process.

 

[dawson5]

We just use old socks filled with cat litter. Usually the arm & hammer brand.

Also, as soon as they come in, we turn the boots (or tennis shoes) over a heating vent. Won't work with soft-sided boots, but for just about everything else.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Once the boots are dry spray them with rubbing alcohol. It will kill any germs and should leave the boots smell free. We use this on hockey equipment.

 

[momrek06]

BOUNCE dryer sheets.

 

[3boymthr]

Are the boots rubber with a removable liner? I try to get this kind for when the kids get them nasty. I will then remove the liners and put them in the wash on gentle cycle in a lingerie bag then put them on top of the furnace to dry. I will then wash the boots themselves in the sink with a little dish soap. If they are not leather but the liner is not removable I've been known to throw the whole boot in the washer on gentle and then put them on top of the furnace to dry.

 

[3mickeymom]

I have put my sons shoulder pads and helmet in the dishwasher and then disinfect the dishwasher. Stuff them with newaspaper or something absorbant and let them dry. Then place them on a bag in the freezer. The cold kills the bacteria /mold causing the funky smell. Febreeze sport works well after. If you thinking you might have to throw them out, give it a try. can't hurt.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Put them in the washing machine. All the other suggestions will only mask the stink not eliminate it. Then put them in the dryer on cool. They will still probably be a little damp so then put them upside down over or by the radiator. You need to get the gross water and foot germs out of them. Good luck!

 

[holycow]

Do you have a Kohls in your area??? They are having a fantastic sale.

A woman in front of me had winter boots that she paid 5$ for!

I know you said it wasn't in the budget but I was ready to go and buy some when I don't even need them! lol

 

[rockundergirl]

put white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray them on the inside until they are soaking wet. Leave them upright for an hour, then turn them upside down to drain. ( by a heating source) . When they are dry, put them in a bag in the freezer for 24 hours. The bacteria that makes the smell will die from the cold. ( if any is left after the vinegar. )

 

[hsmamato2]

we've had this problem with tons of snow,and lots of wet gear.... I wanted to throw ds's nasty gloves out,but the stores had no more,I was forced to fix them.... we have a boot/glove dryer- which is AWESOME-
I filled the gloves with baking soda,and left it on the glove dryer for 24 hours,then sprayed lysol inside them to kill the germs that made them smell funky(ew)
once they fully dried, they didn't smell anymore- same with boots- hang over a heater,use baking soda,or vinegar,and in extreme funky smell cases,spray lysol liberally and dry totally-
if you can't remove the liners,try propping them upside down over heating vent.... I know,my ds went wading in a frozen stream in his leather Lands End mocs the other day