The smell!

[Juhe]

Any tips on how to get rid of the cat wee smell from running shoes?! It appears washing machine isn't a great idea but it's stinking my hallway out! I keep blaming the cat and dogs!

[dindy Graduate10]

We have a Tom come into the conservatory sometimes and has a good old spray around.1st thing and it just happens to be my job is to get on hands & knees to sniff out where the spraying is done!!!!!! I believe you can get a cheap lamp,is it ultra violet that shows up cat /dog wee??

Anyway once found we find the best thing that kills the smell is Surgical Spirit which can be purchased off the shelf in Boots. I would suggest if you have to keep the shoes in the hall just buy a roll of pedal bin liners, I think Wilko do some at about 30 for £1. If the bag gets peed on then shoes are OK and just throw bag away.That is what I had to do as I smelled like a tom cat walking around once as my shoes were peed on. Mind you my wifey said the smell was an improvement!!!!!. I am sure you can put shoes into wash machine as some if not all have a special setting.Never done it and may not like to chance it but other members may of done.

[Juhe in reply to dindy]

Thanks Dindy! Pretty sure it's not the cat or dogs weeing on my shoes - just a very similar smell! Read somewhere it is a reaction with sweat and shoe material. Not sure of the best way to deal with it though! Nice thought eh?!!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Could you scrub them with some soapy water, rinse and stuff with newspaper? I am afraid I recognise the smell from your description as I banished my husband's running shoes to the shed once😱....only solution was to get a new pair!! (They were quite old!!)🙂

[Juhe in reply to Sandraj39]

I love my shoes - only had them since around easter and my first pair so want to salvage them.....even if it involves banishing to the cold cobwebby shed!!!!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

We have the same problem with hubby’s hockey shoes as he forgot to take them out of the bag until the following week. Phew! He gate them a good rinse and hung them in the Apple tree but then it rained so they had to come in again and stuffed with newspaper. They still stink so I am going to buy some febreeze to see if that works. They are old though and need replacing - not sure if you should do that with your good running shoes . I shall watch your post with internet.

[Juhe in reply to Dexy5]

I am tempted by the 'sports shoe' wash setting on my machine. They're Brooks and they suggest not to though so a big risk.....oh my! And I thought the tough bit was finishing the C25K/B10K programme 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Juhe]

Not the washing machine please

[Juhe in reply to Dexy5]

Ok then!!!

[Millsie-J]

I would sponge them inside with soapy water, then rinse sponge them with clear water with a capful of white viniger added. Hopefully that will lift the smell.

Dry thoroughly, outside if at all possible.

If the smell has lifted, from then on, after running always let them air dry (they will be sweaty), then once dry, between runs, put one of those tumble dryer sheets ( the nice smelling ones) , in each shoe until you next need them.

A white viniger/ water solution sponge inside regularly may help.

Good luck.

[Juhe in reply to Millsie-J]

White vinegar sounds easy and promising. Either that or I'll smell of fish and chips!!!! Thank you!

[Millsie-J in reply to Juhe]

Just in case its useful and you havnt yet come across it ....... dont wash your technical running gear using fabric conditioner, it clogs the fibres and encourages bacteria..... which cause smells. Instead wash as usual but add a capful of white viniger to the cycle. Dry outdoors if possible , otherwise on an airer (ie not directly on a radiator). No smells....,,. Not even the viniger. I have used this method for years on my very sporty son’s gear...., it works 👍🏼

[Juhe in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks. I'm not a fabric conditioner kinda gal luckily!!! Student days with little money or desire for extra effort saw to that 😂😂😂

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Great tip, didn't know that, thanks!

[Millsie-J in reply to Equi-geek]

You’re welcome 😀

[lexiemcd 60minGraduate]

My friend is having this problem with her walking shoes. She has taken it up with the manufacturer .

[Juhe in reply to lexiemcd]

We had it with walking boots a few years ago too. Not sure what they put in them!

[lexiemcd 60minGraduate]

Dye, glue or material ? Perhaps it's worth contacting the manufacturer ?

[Oldlady57]

Have you tried bicarb? Sprinkle in & leave overnight. Then just tap out in the morning👍🏻

[Flyingred Graduate10 in reply to Oldlady57]

+1 I was going to suggest this. I'm pleased I scrolled down first.

Also, I think Scholl do a trainer odour freshener spray and Boots and Superdrug have their own brand versions.

[Juhe in reply to Oldlady57]

Now that I can do tonight before tomorrows trot!

[jeffbird Graduate10]

febreze works wonders - the one that you spray on fabrics. you need to properly douse them inside and out.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Given the prevalence of shoe porn on here, I’m amazed nobody’s just suggested binning and buying 🙄

[Juhe in reply to UpTheStanley]

😂😂😂

[misswobble Graduate10]

Hang em outside on the line for a good blow you could take the insoles out and hang them up too.

I wouldn’t use Febrese It’s burns pets feet apparently, so might do the same to us

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Come round our way and get yourself calf deep in a nice peaty puddle.