How can I freshen up my Birkenstocks?

[MrsKitty]

My Birkenstocks are sadly rather stinky. Not sure if it's due to having been caught in the rain or due to my feet!

What can I do to neutralise the smell - now that I've noticed it I'm completely paranoid about it!

Bicarb left overnight? Wipe with tea tree?

Marking place - mine stink and not had them long!

Read somewhere freezing them would neutralise it - it didn't!

I've read on MN that people put them in the washing machine.

Never tried it myself.

Bung them in the washing machine. They come up a treat.

Mine are silver leather, surely they can't go in the machine?!

watching with interest. mine are starting to pen and ink (i have sweaty feet). haven't thought to chuck them in the machine. hmmm.....

Won't it knacker the cork, too?

Washing them in the machine might damage the leather and the cork.

Bumping, someone must know the secret or mine are going in the bin!

I was planning to stick mine in the washing machine. You might as well try if you are going to throw them out otherwise.

I still say bicarb or tea tree.

I'm going to buy some bicarb DrSeuss

Right, bought some bicarb, bought some teatree, now just need to remember to do it!

Not brought mine yet, please report back!

My Birkies start to stink by the end of the summer and then stop smelling over the winter just ready to come out again the next year. Also, buy more than one pair and alternate wearing them.

Don't put in washing machine, tried it with some old ones and they came up clean but the sole went all rough inside and they were really stiff and uncomfortable. I have scrubbed the inside with a bit of vanish before and that worked ok.

Read on another site that scrubbing is the important bit, to remove the bacteria that causes the stinkiness. I scrubbed mine with hot water and ariel, worked really well.