Do Your Chacos Stink?

Tips on Tuesday

Over the years of helping feet into Chacos sandals, I have enjoyed all the positive feedback from the many folks who love them. Often enough, however, shoe-stomers, friends and family have come to me with a concern. They lean in a little closer, eyes glancing around making sure no one is within earshot and in low voices tell me that their Chacos   S-T-I-N-K-!!! with a capital S! 

Ah yes...a classic case of Chacos Stenchitis:)

I suggest some good 'ol fashioned elbow grease and baking soda. Simply make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Scrub this paste (using all that elbow grease) into the footbed of your sandals and set your Chacos outside in mild sunshine allowing the paste to dry. If you live in areas with intense sunshine the paste will dry quickly so keep an eye on them...don't let them sit out there for more than an hour. Once the paste is dry, use the garden hose to rinse off all the paste. Both you and your Chacos should feel refreshed.

If you are the type that is allergic to elbow grease or likes to “experiment”...I have another strategy to offer. More than one shoe-stomer has shared with me that they have gotten rid of Chaco Stenchitis by placing them in the freezer overnight (yes, you read that right). The theory is that the bacteria that causes the smellies just can't survive in such harsh conditions next to your year old bag of frozen corn. Should you try this, please be considerate of your housemates and at least put your Chaco's in a zip lock plastic bag before putting them in the freezer. Also, once you pull your Chaco's out...do not wear them until they have returned to room temperature.

I would love to hear from all the Chacos fans and how you beat Stenchitis or how the above remedies worked out for you...

Cheers and Chacos,

Dagmar