Stinkfoot (Duhn duh-duh-duhhn)

August 17, 2009 10:39 AM

After working in the rain for 3 days straight and never having enough time to dry all the way out during those 3 days, one of my work boots smells punguntly of mildew. There's no footy smell, only mildew. Is there any way to get rid of it and save the boot? I imagine the mildew isn't doing any favours for the binding or the fabrics either.
posted by Evstar to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (5 answers total)

I would dump a bunch of talcum powder in the thing. Take out the footbed, of course, first. Leave them outside in the sun for a couple days.

(actually, I have a history of athlete's foot, so I would be using some sort of medicated powder, too...)

I used to work building carwashes. Sometimes we'd be in the spray for 14 hour days, for a week. Sunshine and dessicant (powder) willl do wonders.
posted by notsnot at 10:43 AM on August 17, 2009

You might try this: wad up newspapers and fill the inside of the boot, then stick it in the freezer for a few days.
posted by mcstayinskool at 11:18 AM on August 17, 2009

Is this a leather boot? You could clean the leather with a good saddle soap (inside and out) and follow-up with a mildew retardant conditioning oil.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 11:50 AM on August 17, 2009

I have this issue with my sneakers if I bike in the rain a few days in a row. Sunshine and febreeze spray takes care of it. Take out the shoelaces, inner soles (if you can) when you put them in the sun.
posted by mikepop at 12:32 PM on August 17, 2009

Response by poster: I'll try these, thanks.
posted by Evstar at 1:49 PM on August 18, 2009