[PaulyDB]

I have been wearing my 5.10 verdes for almost a year now, despite the fact that I hang them up outside after each use they still smell really bad.
I've tried soaking them in warm water and biological washing powder overnight, I've tried sprinkling bicarbonate of soda inside them, hanging them outside all the time and only bringing them in to pack them before going climbing. I even read on the internet that sealing them in a plastic bag and putting them in the freezer overnight works really well, well I can assure you that it doesn't. I have just removed my shoes from the freezer and all it has done is leave me with the worlds stiffest rock boots.
it has been suggested that putting them in the washing machine works really well but I didn't want to damage them. plus if an overnight soak in washing powder did nothing then I don't think putting them through a normal wash cycle will make any difference.

anyone got any ideas?

[PaulyDB]

apologies Bubba.

[slackline]

Clip them to your bag when leaving a venue for starters, this helps dry them out and stops them sweating inside your bag on the way home.

Its likely that there is tons of dead skin inside your shoes harbouring bacteria that are causing the smell, scraping all of this out would be a good idea.

Failing that piss in them, they'll still smell, but you won't get any top-ropers bothering you 'cause of the stench of piss emanating from your shoes.   

[PaulyDB]

don't be so bloody stupid.
I'm trying to be serious here.

[SA Chris]

Someone asked a similar question recently, but can't find thread now.

Tea tree oil is meant to be good for killing bacteria.

[slackline]

don't be so bloody stupid.
I'm trying to be serious here.

Two of my three responses were serious, you can choose which one's taking the piss for yourself 

(Perhaps you're starting to realise that there is a lot of piss-taking goes on in these forums).

[PaulyDB]

yes it is clear to see which one of your comments was taking the piss
I do realise there is a lot of piss-taking in these forums.
I love a bit of banter as much as the next person, but I do not class the personal abuse that has been directed at me over the last week as banter.
being called a thief and being accused of selling stolen items is not banter and it is not very nice no matter who you are.

[slackline]

yes it is clear to see which one of your comments was taking the piss
I do realise there is a lot of piss-taking in these forums.

Making headway then.

I love a bit of banter as much as the next person, but I do not class the personal abuse that has been directed at me over the last week as banter.
being called a thief and being accused of selling stolen items is not banter and it is not very nice no matter who you are.

You asked a question, I gave a couple of answers, one of which was a light-hearted joke.  But I made no accusation as to your honesty or any other personal attribute, nor have I done so in the other threads (where I was trying to be helpful and point out why you were getting the responses you were).  So whilst you might still be bearing a grudge about how people have responded to you in this forum its not me that you should be holding it against.  How about forgetting about it and starting afresh*? 

* Although thats the impression I got you were trying to do with your Almscliff post and this thread, but because you're not getting the answers you want then you bring up the accusations that were levelled at you.  If you want to get specific answers to a question then you'd be best off answering them yourself, as you have no control or influence over what others post.  Like I said I provided two useful suggestions and balanced that out with a light-hearted joke, if that riles you then these aren't the forums you are looking for.

[cofe]

when mine start to smell i just buy some new ones. fuck it, it's only money.

[PaulyDB]

I don't hold a grudge against you or anyone else who has tried to help me.
I am trying my best to start fresh.
as for the almscliff post I was simply pointing out a fact, I wish to forget it and move on and I hope others can do the same.

as for buying new shoes, I do have a second pair of verdes that I haven't even had on my feet yet but I wanted to get as much use out of my current pair before I start wearing my new ones.

[slackline]

I don't hold a grudge against you or anyone else who has tried to help me.
I am trying my best to start fresh.
as for the almscliff post I was simply pointing out a fact, I wish to forget it and move on and I hope others can do the same.

Thats cool, but you'll still get people having a dig or two, so best take a couple of showers in white-spirit to toughen the skin up.

as for buying new shoes, I do have a second pair of verdes that I haven't even had on my feet yet but I wanted to get as much use out of my current pair before I start wearing my new ones.

Its useful to start wearing a pair of shoes in concurrently with your usual pair, they do take some breaking in, and that way you will reduce the wear on those you are currently using, and when they do finally give you'll have a nice comfy pair to go out in that won't need breaking in.

[cofe]

if you wear them down the wall a lot, or on hot days, don't leave them to fester in your bag when you get home. mine always stink more if i leave them crammed away full of leg-hand sweat.

[benpritch]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

 

[PaulyDB]

there is still plenty of life left in my current pair so I think I have plenty of time to break in my new ones.

I never do leave them in my bag and yet they still stink, I don't know what to do and I certainly don't want my new shoes going the same way.
I even tried using a jetwasher to clean them inside but that didn't work, they still smell just as bad.

[benpritch]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

[PaulyDB]

I was going to do that but I was worried about damaging my boots.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

kills the bacteria that makes the smell, also helps prevent the fungus that infects toe nails. Boots do their own version also.

[cofe]

i'm waiting for pritch to requote himself again......

[nik at work]

You could try putting some Bicarbonate of Soda in them. People use it to stop rugs stinking of pets and such like so will probably work. I think you put some in, leave it for a bit and then tip it out (well on rugs you hoover/dyson/other brand of vacuum cleaner it up but I'm not sure how successful that would be with a shoe).
Or you could just ignore it until your wife cites it as reason for divorce, that's what I'm doing...

[SA Chris]

Plus if you sweat at all you will get a nice fizzy feeling from the bicarb.

[PaulyDB]

I have already tried bicarbonate of soda and it didn't work.

[benpritch]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

ps i used hippy washing powder (ecover) might be less harsh on glues etc than regular washing powder.

[nik at work]

Was it worth the wait Cofe?

[benpritch]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

ps i used hippy washing powder (ecover) might be less harsh on glues etc than regular washing powder.

but non hippy alternatives might be better at shifting those stubborn niffs

[cofe]

Was it worth the wait Cofe?

You're not wrong.

[benpritch]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

ps i used hippy washing powder (ecover) might be less harsh on glues etc than regular washing powder.

but non hippy alternatives might be better at shifting those stubborn niffs

sorry paul i didn't read your first post properly.

[magpie]

Have you thought about putting them in the washing machine, I'm sure I've heard that works. 

Also, more suggestions here.

[benpritch]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

ps i used hippy washing powder (ecover) might be less harsh on glues etc than regular washing powder.

but non hippy alternatives might be better at shifting those stubborn niffs

sorry paul i didn't read your first post properly.

definitely put them in the washing machine

[PaulyDB]

no worries ben.
I have thought about putting them in the wash but I thought I would try other methods first.

[Drew]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

ps i used hippy washing powder (ecover) might be less harsh on glues etc than regular washing powder.

but non hippy alternatives might be better at shifting those stubborn niffs

sorry paul i didn't read your first post properly.

Was that written on Nik's behalf? I'm getting lost. in a world of

quotes

[account_inactive]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

ps i used hippy washing powder (ecover) might be less harsh on glues etc than regular washing powder.

but non hippy alternatives might be better at shifting those stubborn niffs

sorry paul i didn't read your first post properly.

The washing machine sounds like a good idea

definitely put them in the washing machine

[slackline]

put them in the washing machine on a cool/delicates  cycle. my green five tens have stood up to this numerous times.

ps i used hippy washing powder (ecover) might be less harsh on glues etc than regular washing powder.

but non hippy alternatives might be better at shifting those stubborn niffs

sorry paul i didn't read your first post properly.

The washing machine sounds like a good idea

definitely put them in the washing machine

Another vote for washing machines

[Lund]

Went to the beacon wall at the august bank holiday (due to all too predictable and unfortunate weather conditions), and they had a machine thing that looked like a microwave.  It cost me a few quid to get my shoes put in it.

Did absolutely nothing apart from lighten my pocket.  Still stinky.  Thought about beating the crap out of the operator to get my money back, but she was young and pretty so I didn't.  Am a bit ashamed of being taken in frankly - was tempted to put "a friend of mine" but thought I may as well fess up in the interests of bettering the knowledge of society.  Same goes for the "treatment" you can pay a bit extra for when getting shoes resoled - whatever gamma rays they shine on it, it does nothing.

If the washing machine doesn't work, I guess the only option is to sell them. 

[Bobling]

As someone else has pointed out I got all sorts of suggestions about this when I posted a similar thread.  The cold water and milton baby fluid 24 hour soak seemed to do the trick though - at least it turned the smell down from 11. 

[Drew]

Went to the beacon wall at the august bank holiday (due to all too predictable and unfortunate weather conditions), and they had a machine thing that looked like a microwave.  It cost me a few quid to get my shoes put in it.

Did absolutely nothing apart from lighten my pocket.  Still stinky.  Thought about beating the crap out of the operator to get my money back, but she was young and pretty so I didn't.  Am a bit ashamed of being taken in frankly - was tempted to put "a friend of mine" but thought I may as well fess up in the interests of bettering the knowledge of society.  Same goes for the "treatment" you can pay a bit extra for when getting shoes resoled - whatever gamma rays they shine on it, it does nothing.

The Works do that for free, and it does seem to help I find, however if they were absolutely grotty as, then they may need a double shot. I'd recommend cleaning them first, then zapping them second. The cleaning gets rid of the dirt/ grime/ some bacteria, whereas the zapping thing kills the rest of the bacteria.

[tomtom]

Dont buy 5:10's. They get to stinking stage faster than any boots I've ever owned. Largely due to the non-breathable 'COWDURA' (tm) leather alternative that they make their shoes from.

Slacklines advice about keeping them out of your bag at all times is the best I've found... Mine then just live (and fester/breed) in the boot of the car.

[webbo]

i too leave mine in the back of the car.however i leave them in a plastic bag to fester.i find the smell is useful in covering the  smell of my farts.

[magpie]

Dont buy 5:10's. They get to stinking stage faster than any boots I've ever owned.

You clearly haven't owned a pair of Evolvs, mmmm vegetarian shoes made from totally unbreathable materials. 

[SA Chris]

Indeed. My Defys take on a whiff somehere between ripe Camembert and a good Dorset Blue Vinny.

[Link]

I can vouch for the Mitlon method.

Washing machine followed by a 24hr steep in water with double the guideline Milton dose.

Rubber was amazingly sticky aftewards.

[SA Chris]

Instead of milton you could just use diluted household bleach.Pretty much the same stuff. Could even go for a lemon scented one!

I think PaulyDB has disappeared anyway.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Instead of milton you could just use diluted household bleach.Pretty much the same stuff.

Similar but with important differences

Hypochlorite is bleach, which is toxic. Is Milton toxic also?
No. As stated above, toxicity in hypochlorites is due to the by-product of their
decomposition, sodium chlorate. With the heavy ions removed Milton decomposes into water and a small amount of sodium chloride (salt).

Not that I'm suggesting you drink it from your rock boots, but Milton is a lot less toxic than bleach, you can sterilize drinking water with Milton

[SA Chris]

I wasnt't implying anyone should use bleach to sterilise baby bottles, but for cleaning rockboots you don't need to buy Milton. Just rinse thoroughly after.

[kilgore1080]

I actually emailed evolv asking their advice on how to clean my pontas lace ups. They got back to me pretty fast and suggested bunging them in the washing machine on a cool wash with some mild detergent (powder). It worked for me, I do them pretty regularly now.

[jonjon]

use a Klenz machine - the Works have one as do feet first in chesterfield
they kill all the smelly bacteria and keep your boots smelling good for ages.

[Houdini]

I give all my shoes to my boy-slave, he licks them clean, or I beat him.