Mildew Wadung Boots

[salmo]

I really screwed up. Left my wet Simms wading boots in a parked car during a hot day. Boy, do they stink from mildew. I know that a couple of drops of Clorox in some hot water will do the trick, but I don’t want to wreck the boots. They are artificial uppers and hard “rubber” soles.

I also considered Fabreze or Lysol.

Help!

 

[PennKev]

Have you considered just lettings them air out, outside, out of direct sunlight? Getting gear completely dry usually minimizes odors pretty well.

You can also try spraying them down with a mixture of 90% water / 10% iso alcohol after they have thoroughly dried. This is a trick I use on smelly hockey equipment. Not a silver bullet but works better than febreeze.

FWIW, I don't see a problem soaking them in a very mild bleach solution. This is one of the treatments for preventing the spread of invasive species that most manufacturers recommend.

 

[moon1284]

Yea I don't see anything wrong with bleach. I used to spray diluted bleach on my hockey equipment and put out in the sun every summer when I played.

 

[salmo]

Thanks guys! Simms suggested 1-2 cups of vinegar in warm water with Dawn dish soap in a bucket. Soak, scrub and let sun dry. Next time I'm fishing in watercress I can have salad.

I will let everyone know if it works. :lol:

 

[nymphingmaniac]

hydrogen peroxide (3%). You can get the spray bottle. keep damp and let sit an hour or so.. it will kill microbes and neutralize most smells. It is milder than bleach
Then detergent.