Smelly Birkies

[juststrudel]

My favourites are a bit whiffy -have tried the trick of putting in the freezer in a bag overnight that I read on here. Any other ideas or should I replace?

I bury my dancing shoes in ( new,unused ) cat litter.the cat litter absorbs the rather rich odour.

bung them in the washing machine. they come out like new.

Really? What temp/programme?

think it was jsut a 40 quickwash.

you can powder them with baby powder over night an then vacuum.

Okay will try washing - thanks

Thanks for the other suggestions but don't have cats or babies in da house

what about wearing socks with them .

it is the combination of sweat and dead skin cells in the shoe that makes the whiff. the socks keep both off the shoe.

They are in the machine in a laundry bag on the mini 30 deg wash.

Foxy they are the gizeh toe-post style - wearing socks would not be right, although am aware for a lot of people wearing birkies in the first place is not right

Have they come out ok? I have a pair that could do with a freshen up!

Its my feet that need a 40 degree wash, really love my birkenstocks but always feel like hausfrau after a week in the birkenstocks.

Off to skip through a summer meadow and try washing mine.

Reporting back.

They survived and are now drying in the sun. Had a quick whiff and can smell washing powder and a little bit of eau de feet, but not as strong as before, will let them stay in the sun to thoroughly dry this afternoon.

Mmmm maybe should have done a 40 wash...

ah quick quick while they're still wet - douse them in soda bicarb and then when it's dry hoover them!

I always wash mine in the machine and they come out fine.
If they are really bad or worn out the Birkenstock website tells you that you can have new footbeds put on but not sure how much it costs .

juststrudel I will await the long term sniff test before chucking mine in the washer.....please let us know if it works over the next few days.

I wipe mine with baby wipes.

I don't think mine stink. I had mine 'serviced' (everything replaced except straps and buckles) last year and it cost ~£40 - well worth it because I live in them in the summer and use them as slippers round the house. Wouldn't dream of putting them in the washing machine though...

Its the black foot marks in mine that make me

Am about to dust mine off from the back of the wardrobe where they've been since the end of last summer. Will def try washing them if they stink.

I think socks would just be so wrong with them....

tinkle - it cost you £40!? Wouldn't you just buy another pair? I've just bought some new sandally type ones and they cost £33.

Have the same problem with ballet flats, even the more expensive leather ones. Never know what to do with them. Seems a shame to throw them.

Have a new pair of Birkinstocks. Awaiting results with interest!..

I have some of these languishing at the back of the wardrobe and wouldnt mind trying a wash. I was nervous about them disintegrating or something.

Reading this with interest... I usually use a suede brush on mine.. bit labour intensive so washing machine would be easier

CheeseOnToast - I paid £60 when they were new (baby blue Madrid - unusual colour) and wore them almost constantly during pregnancy and still now. I figured that I would spend at least £40/50 on new ones so, getting mine refurbed seemed a good choice.

I only bought a 2nd pair (white ones with white sole) when I had to go to a wedding when I was 8months pregnant.

Okay have just worn the aforesaid birkies for school run and trip to the bank. Got home and I am sorry to say they are still whiffy probably not as bad as before though.

Shall I wash again at 40 deg? Or wet them and do the bicarb soda thing?