UKC

Finally, it has come to a time where my rock shoes are smelling incredibly minging. - Now, I know how I should have prevented such smelliness occurring (I just chose to believe my feet smelt like a cool breeze on a summers day - so didn't bother... how wrong I was). I've got a couple of mates just saying 'wash them in the sink with hot water and detergent'. Is this the best way to do it, or will they shrink/ruin the rubber? If anyone could be kind enough on giving me some advice on de-stenching rock shoes, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

In reply to JamesBW: Take them to your local climbing centre, a lot of centres have sanitizing facilities (about £3?).This facility perhaps isn't available at smaller centres, but I'm sure I've seen them at larger ones! Sure someone can either back me up or prove me wrong?

Ask at your centre, it's been a while since I've visited a centre!

Hope this helps!

C

In reply to JamesBW:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/info/search.php?forum=0&dates=1&na...

In reply to CragRat_Trad: Tried this today - definitely didn't work! My shoes must just be too past it! Thanks though

In reply to JamesBW: Shame it didn't work! Get on the net looking for some sprays then i guess...or new shoes!

This is worth a try;

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=HE31630&CMP=e-2072-00...

C

In reply to JamesBW:

Have you tried buying a new pair? That is the only solution which has worked for me.

Wash them, keep them dry, dry them out after wearing them and put "trainer balls" in them.

But, in the end, only new shoes will work.

In reply to JamesBW: I reckon clean seawater works for really disgusting shoes as long as they're rinsed well & left in the sun to dry properly. I discovered this when belaying on a beach and ended up swimming because my partner took so long the tide came in. Not recommended for cleaning your rope though..

In reply to JamesBW:
I've got synthetic ones that really honk after a a month or so, I just put them in the washing machine, come out super sticky too.

In reply to Dave Ferguson:

Did you wash them with detergent?

And to the above advice... not really got the spare cash for some new ones, guess my mates are just going to have to put up with my stinking shoes if all else fails!

In reply to JamesBW:
Always chuck mine in the washing machine on a wool wash with normal detergent, stuff em with tissue and let em dry on the window seal. Works a treat, never had a problem yet!

In reply to JamesBW:

My anasazi greens started smelling bad so I alwasy made an effort with new pair to make sure I didn't leave them in my bag after climbing and open them up as much as possible between climbing days to air them out to bachteria doesn't have a perfect home. The newer pair never smell.

In reply to JamesBW: not sure once its got too bad. but to prevent as others I let them air rather than leaving in a bag and I spray them after use with some odour-eater aerosol stuff (Tesco and other places sell it, blue can)so far its held off the smell.

In reply to JamesBW: thanks for all the advice - seems my current shoes are too far gone - will have to just bare everything in mind for my next pair of shoes

In reply to JamesBW:

Depends what make they are and if they're synthetic or leather but I've put an old pair of Evolvs through the wash on the whites (hottest, longest) setting and they came out absolutely fine, smelling far better than they did. I've looked after them since and they've been smelling alright!

In reply to JamesBW: If you wear socks whilst climbing you won't have to deal with smelly shoes again!

In reply to JamesBW: Washing machine, 40 degree wash, 1 tablet of detergent, usually with a minging pair of trainers in the machine as well. No problems with shoes falling apart yet. Normally seem to end up washing them maybe twice a year.

In reply to JamesBW: I had a really stinky pair once and cleaned them out with charcoal. Worked for a while, bit you do need to make sure you clean them out well afterwards if you don't want black feet!