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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To leave my husband over a pair of football boots?!

78 replies

scampiandchips1 · 11/10/2017 18:27

Posting here for traffic

Please help!
My husbands new football boots have nearly caused us to divorce!! They have literally stunk our house out for 2 weeks now, the smell is the most powerful intense smell and it’s got everywhere! It smells like a damp smell. He’s washed them thoroughly and used special sports shoe odour eaters on them but nothing is working, he doesn’t even think the smell is that bad - it’s horrendous!

Any advice? He won’t send them back or leave them outside so I’m literally thinking the only way to resolve this is to LTB!

OP posts:

Mittens1969 · 11/10/2017 20:00

It can go both ways. My 4 cats do spray in the house occasionally. My DH isn’t a cat lover but he tolerates that. Mind you, it might be because he doesn’t dare to issue an ultimatum in case I choose the cats rather than him lol.

ineverbakecakes · 11/10/2017 20:05

I knew you were going to say you were pregnant. When I was expecting dc1 the smell of DH's soap was so repugnant to me I couldn't be in the same room as him. I think your DH' boots may fall into the same pregnancy nose category.

elfies · 11/10/2017 20:08

Fill them with absorbent Cat litter each time he uses them

Candlelight234 · 11/10/2017 20:10

Lots of good tips here!

Mittens1969 · 11/10/2017 20:33

I think you should just put the boots out of the house, the boot of the car sounds like a good idea.

donquixotedelamancha · 11/10/2017 20:36

A smell that bad is probably indicative of microbial action. That's odd for new boots, but if they've got damp and been somewhere warm....

If it is bacteria/mold, the smell will keep returning, even after washing. Submerge them in white vinegar for an hour or so (you'll need quite a bit), then in cold water for a couple of hours.

They will smell of vinegar for a while, but that will fade; I'd only do it if nothing else works, but it's very effective.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 11/10/2017 20:53

DS leaves the teabag for a few nights but has had one in for as little as overnight when he has come back from camp and had cadets the next day.

Doramaybe · 11/10/2017 21:29

I'd kick the husband out to the shed and put the boots in the bin.

If he doesn't take kindly to that, well you know the answer. lol.

Madeyemoodysmum · 11/10/2017 21:32

Please update if the teabag works op.

AnnaleeP · 11/10/2017 22:15

Boot bananas. They won't solve it completely but it will help.

Original poster

scampiandchips1 · 12/10/2017 07:55

Thanks for all the replies. Glad to know it’s not just me. Will let you know if the teabag trick works!
I think a new pair of boots is top of his Christmas present list now too! (Current brand is Adidas)

OP posts:

CiderwithBuda · 12/10/2017 09:25

There was a definite issue with a particular brand a few years ago as others have said. And it's not just a smelly shoe smell. It's like cat pee. Utterly disgusting.

Nanny0gg · 12/10/2017 09:49

Get a box for the garden that you can keep wellies and sports shoes in.

steppemum · 12/10/2017 09:56

we had this with one pair of ds boots.

they stank like sour wee
Apparently it is to do with how the leather is tanned, which is often literally done in wee!

He kept them in the garage.
They were worse when wet or when just worn (sweaty)

Thye did eventually settle down, but they permanently lived int he garage.

Tying them in a plastic bag is worse, they seem to fester

Candlelight234 · 12/10/2017 10:04

Only put boots in the car as long as you don't use the car too! My DS left his stinky boots shin pads & gloves in the car and I heaved & nearly puked when I got in.
It took days to clear the cat pee / sweat smell from the car - vomming not envy!

Original poster

scampiandchips1 · 12/10/2017 22:06

Tea bags didn’t work. It’s such a powerful smell I don’t think anything will.
Had a massive argument about them tonight, he doesn’t even think they smell and refuses to put them in the garage as it’s “too cold”?! And also refuses the air tight container as they “need to breath”!
Literally feel like crying over these stupid boots, our whole house absolutely stinks and he just doesn’t care or even notices the smell!
I should just buy him some more but why the hell should I have to?! I’m saving for maternity and it’s his bloody fault!
#firstworldproblems

OP posts:

Original poster

scampiandchips1 · 12/10/2017 22:13

Also we share the car so that’s out of the question too

OP posts:

Shiftymake · 12/10/2017 22:31

A sports mum with the same problem has some solutions, one that stuck out which was of interest was getting some large zip lock bag, put the shoes in, seal them well off and put them into the freezer overnight.

House4 · 13/10/2017 08:17

You need to spray them with deodorant! It really does make it lots better and doesn't ruin the boots. It's what all the kids are doing.

Jasminedes · 13/10/2017 08:40

That is a much bigger problem if he is not prepared to take simple steps to sort something out that is upsetting you. Is he usually like this? I think you need to sit him down and say, in a serious and curious tone, 'I am wondering how high on your list of priorities your pregnant wife is if you are not willing to put her simple request - about something that is significantly affecting her - above a pair of two week old football boots 'needing to breathe'? Should I expect that you are going to continue to be this unsupportive and self-centred when I have our child?'

OhThisbloodyComputer · 13/10/2017 08:46

Lemons are good for absorbing smell. Cut them open first.

Then there's Shake N Vac (they still sell that in my local Aldi)

Freezing sounds like a good idea

Alternatively - I'm not sure how you might feel about this - you could take up smoking. That kills your sense of smell and, if your take your wifely duties seriously, it would be a small sacrifice to make for the greater good of your husband's happiness

Doramaybe · 13/10/2017 20:08

Why are all the wimmins running after the perps of smelly shoes here FGS. And so many other women adding to the mix trying to find solutions for the men's shoes.

Get the shoe wearer to sort it out.

Infantilising them will make them worse. Just kick the shoes out the back door for starters. That is not bad is it. I do it all the time.

youchangeyourusername · 11/11/2017 17:36

Going to try so many things on here! I leave DS boots in our close because the AstroTurf gets everywhere and I was convinced next doors cat was peeing in them. We live 4 flights up and I could smell it as soon as I came in at the ground floor

I tried glade carpet powder, but it was a complete bitch trying to hoover it back out.

Freezing is next. His are Adidas, if that makes a difference.

WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 11/11/2017 18:11

That is a much bigger problem if he is not prepared to take simple steps to sort something out that is upsetting you

^ this. It wouldn't hurt him to put them outside but he refuses. What sort of person does that?!

AnnabellaH · 11/11/2017 18:15

Oh fgs just spread a teaspoon of bicarb in them and then shake it out the next morning.

Jesus wept.

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