Any advice for getting TERRIBLE smell out of trainers

[RudsyFarmer]

Kids decided to take their new trainers into a putrid smelling thick mud by a river bank. Immersed up to their ankles the final result after me cleaning them is the trainers now look clean but smell of rotten decay. Any thing else I can throw at them?

Didn’t put them in the washing machine incase it just wrecked them. So the clean was with a toothbrush and laundry stain removing spray.

Put tea bags inside them and spray with febreeze, always works with my smelly work boots

How set against the machine are you? I have a wool wash setting that doesn't spin things it just more cradles/rocks which I do trainers on. Any options like this on your machine?
The putting bicarb or tea bags in shoes to get rid of smells I've never found particularly effective but could be worth a shot?

Oh @elf1985 maybe I've not persevered enough with the tea bags then!

I'd wash in the machine with bio washing powder on gentle cycle. Shoes in a laundry bag or pillowcase, with a towel loose in the drum to help balance the load for the spin.

Getting them dry quickly is then key. Put absorbant cloths/ newspaper inside and change after it has soaked up moisture. Once most of the moisture absorbed after one or two changes, you can leave shoes empty.

A quick blast inside with a hairdryer, hang on the line or in front of a dehumidifier are good options. (My tumble dryer also has an accessory to dry shoes on a shelf inside, which works well.)

If you've thoroughly washed out the stinky river water and dried, you can sprinkle with bicarb/ clean cat litter/ load with teabags, if necessary. I wouldn't use febreeze though.

Dettol laundry cleanser liquid (or any other brand) is amazing at getting rid of smells.

I've used it on wet football kits that have been left in lockers and it's worked every time.

Just put them in the washer.
How do you normally wash trainers?
I sling dp and DD's in the washer every couple of weeks or I'd need to move house.

My experience of washing trainers have generally been poor. But I’m not adverse to it. Im
waiting for them to dry completely in the airing cupboard before i decide. The idea of the Dettol laundry detergent is a good one 👌

Get some activated charcoal smell remover thingies - leave them in for 12 hours - job done.
Recently rescued 3 pairs of trainers that were drenched in a Florida thunderstorm and then left wet in luggage for 48 hours (because we didn't have anywhere or any time to dry them on our journey home) this way. I did wash them on a gentle wool cycle before that though.

The smell was beyond anything I had ever smelt and I thought for sure they were ruined!

Boot bananas!

Depends how tough DC are. Take them to the beach and send them for a paddle in the sea for half hour wearing the trainers. They'll come up like new. Bit cold at the moment though!