How to Get Smell Out of Keen Sandals

During hikes and other outdoor activities, Keen sandals have been known to develop a rather characteristic stink. This smell often builds when left untreated and can live within the strapped sandals long after they have been worn.

While this foul foot stench may be disconcerting, know that you can leverage several household deodorizing solutions to freshen the sandals. By following the below steps, you can freshened your keens sandals and have them smelling like new.

Smell Removal Solutions for Keen Sandals

1 Cat Litter + Cookie Tray

Using cat litter on shoes may sound silly, but the odor absorbent power of this granule material can be very effective at pulling in difficult foot odors. Begin by hosing any dirt or brie off you Keen sandals, and placing them on a cookie tray. Next fill the interior of the sandals with cat litter to allow for maximum absorption of the odors. Allow the cat litter to work it’s magic over the course of 24-48 hours before removing the deodorizing granules and putting the freshened hiking sandals back within use.

2 Baking Soda + Shoe Box

Baking soda has been used for generations in treating difficult foot odors, and can work wondering in reducing odors within Keen sandals. Sprinkle 4-5 teaspoons of baking soda over the area within the Keen sandals where the foot normally comes into contact. Proceed to then place the keen sandals within an enclosed shoes box and allow the box to sit for 2-3 days. During this time the baking soda will work to absorb any unwelcome odors and leave the Keen sandals smelling fresh.

3 White Vinegar Scrub + Sun

As another effective solution, this household acid can be used to cut through the odor producing foot bacteria within the keen sandals. Mix a solution of white vinegar and water in equal parts within a small kitchen bowl. Proceed to paper towels within the mixture and lay them over the area of the sandal where the foot would normally come into contact. Once all of these areas have been covered, you can place the sandals aside for 24 hours. During this time, the moist white vinegar paper towels will go to work in neutralizing the embedded foot odor. After this time has passed, the paper towels can be removed and the Keens can be air dried outside before putting them back within use.

4 Enzyme Scrub, Soak & Sun

If the odor within the Keen sandals is especially foul, enzyme cleaning solution can be used to help deodorize the sandals. You can begin by pouring a small amount of the enzyme solution within a kitchen bowl. Proceed to dunk a household rag within the cleaner and go to work in scrubbing the areas where your foot normally comes into contact with the sandals. After they have been thoroughly scrubbed, fill a large rectangular glass container half full with a solution of water and enzyme cleaner mix in equal parts. Next, place the sandals upside down within the solution and allow the enzyme cleaner to go to work in deodorizing the Keens over the course of the 6-8 hours. Upon completion, finish the deodorizing process by placing the Keens outside within the sun to properly dry off.

5 Activated Charcoal Box

If you have the time, using activated charcoal to deodorize Keen sandals can be effective. Begin by cutting an old pair of nylon leggings in half and stuffing 3-4 activated charcoal briquettes within the ends of each legging. Next, you will want to tie a knot to enclose them within each of the nylon leggings and place them over the area on each sandal where the foot normally comes into contact. Proceed to then place the sandals and nylon enclosed activated charcoal within a enclosed cardboard box and allow them to doedorize for 5-7 days before removing the freshened Keens for use.

Photo credit: MrTin

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