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!

[watching with interest!]

Put them in the washing machine with a couple of drops of tea tree oil in the fab con dispenser! Works for mine...30 degree wash, sorted.

I've put mine in the freezer overnight before now, and also scrubbed them with a bicarbonate solution.

Thanks, miine are a bit rough too! The footbeds look so skanky but I can't get them clean.

Fab. Will try the freezer tomorrow, until I get some teatree oil, will then cross my fingers they don't fall apart in the washing machine .

mrsPnut when you say bicarb solution, do you make up a paste with bicarb soda then rinse off, or do you use a wetter solution and leave on?

Intrigued by the idea of using washing machine. Mine aren't stinky but the inside of the straps are black with dirt. I'm also paranoid about this.

I make a paste and use an old toothbrush to scrub with then leave them to dry with the bicarb on. when the bicarb is back to powder then vacuum off.

DH fills his with bicarb powder and leaves to stand for a few days - seems to do the trick.