How to Clean Leather Sandals That Stink
Contributor
By Heather Broeker

eHow Contributing Writer

Foot odor is a part of life, but in the sweaty summertime even open-toed sandals can start to gather offensive smells that stop you in your tracks. Deal with stinky leather footwear early and often so you don't need to think twice before kicking off your shoes to get comfy. The right cleaning method depends on the leather. Generally, you'll want to avoid using soap and water---it only cleans the surface, and that's not where odor-causing bacteria lingers. Bleach kills everything but can also damage leather. Baking soda is the best option for dealing with lingering odors, and vinegar tends to be the safest option for suede.

You'll Need:

Baking soda Damp cloth

Step 1

Sprinkle baking soda liberally inside the sandal and let it sit for a day. On finished leather, make a thick paste of baking soda and water and rub it on the surface. Let the paste sit for at least an hour before wiping it off with a damp cloth.

Step 2

Use a cloth soaked in a mixture of ¼ cup of vinegar to a gallon of water to wipe off the sandals. Let the leather air-dry completely.

Step 3

To keep smells from reemerging, store your sandals with crumpled newspaper in the toe area. Doing this immediately after wearing them will wick moisture out of the leather. Recycle the newspaper after each use.

Tips & Warnings
Applying foot powder every time you put on your sandals is a good idea for anyone with ongoing odor issues. Air-dry the sandals in the sun. UV rays can be depended on to kill the bacteria that cause foul-smelling footwear. Sticking your sandals in the freezer over night will have the same effect.
Source(s):
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You can sprinkle baking soda in them and leave for a bit then wipe off. Baking soda is a natural deoderizer.

If the leather is finished, you can make a paste of baking soda and water and rub it onto the sandals, then wipe off with a damp cloth at least an hour later. A mixture of vinegar and water will also help, but only use that on the inside,if the leather is finished, and let dry completely before wearing.

You can also use nubuck leather cleaner for the entire sandal.

Another option for finished leather is to put a bit of liquid soap on a cloth and rub the cloth to get lather, then wipe the sandal. Wipe off with a damp cloth.
Source(s):
http://www.ehow.com/how_4884425_clean-leather-sandals-that-stink.html
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11646590.tip.html

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RE: Leather Sandals Smell Bad

The following are instructions for general leather cleaning: Before cleaning leather, determine whether the leather is finished - like luggage, furniture and garments - or unfinished - like baseball gloves, work boots and saddles. Then follow the instructions below to keep your leather looking fabulous.

Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Finished Leather
Steps
1Step - Place a small amount of a gentle, moisturizing soap such as Dove on a damp cloth and bring it to a light lather.
2Step - Rub the damp cloth on the leather without putting too much water on the leather.
3Step - Wipe away lather with a fresh damp cloth. Don't rinse the leather in water.
4Step - Polish leather with a dry towel.
5Step - Treat leather with a leather conditioner after it has dried completely.

Tips & Warnings
Cleaning leather is a dangerous game. Cleaning can change the color or appearance of the leather. Always test the cleaning on a small invisible patch of leather before proceeding on the whole item.
Avoid products like mink oil, shoe polish and waxes when cleaning leather furniture or garments.

Unfinished Leather

1Step - Use a damp cloth or sponge to rub saddle soap into the leather; work soap into a light lather.
2Step - Wipe away lather and allow to air dry.
3Step - Oil leather with a leather preservative such as mink oil.
1 year ago
Source(s):
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11646590.tip.html

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Try saddle soap; it can usually be found at a shoe repair shop. It will clean and soften the leather without using water. After cleaning them, spray the bottoms with just a light "spritz" of Febreze.
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