Icky frugal question, sorry. :-)

[Christa]

I bought my dh some great Ecco shoes at Salvation Army for 3.99...great deal, right? Well, it wasn't noticeable when I bought them, but once he wore them they started to give off *quite* an aroma. Any suggestions on how to salvage them? I already doused them with Lysol when I brought them home.

[suki]

Two suggestions come to mind.

First, put baking soda in them and leave overnight.

and/or

Second, get some charcoal filter (should be available in aquarium supply areas) chunks and put them in the shoes overnight.

[quiltergirl2]

I would toss them and be glad I didn't pay more.

But I don't buy used shoes. You never know what might be lurking -- not just odor, but fungus and all kinds of bad stuff.

[luv-my-lexi]

Doesn't wadded up newspaper stuffed in shoes absorb the odors?? I think I have heard that.

[Ali Lee]

fill with kitty litter for a few days...

[Holly]

Personally I'd toss them. I never buy shoes that have been used.

[wanderlusting]

Doesn't wadded up newspaper stuffed in shoes absorb the odors?? I think I have heard that.

Close Wadded up newspaper absorbs water from wet shoes. Old hiker's trick

[ravenmaniac]

I'd try the baking soda. If the charcoal filters cost too much, I'd toss the shoes. Maybe you could leave them out for a day in the sun. How about some febreeze? I think used shoes are fine as long as you are comfortable wearing them.

[goat21]

No advice, just a comment. I buy and wear used shoes all the time and have never had any problems. In fact, a pair I'm wearing now that I got from Goodwill (they looked as if they'd never been worn) are turning out to be probably the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. Since I'm not "up" on brand names, etc., I couldn't tell you if these shoes were "high end" or just run-of-the-mill, but they sure are nice.

Other than that, I think you got some good advice here. I hope you find the one that solves the problem. If you do end up tossing the shoes, I wouldn't let one bad experience turn you off of buying recycled shoes again.

Janis

[Its_Donna]

I buy and wear used shoes all the time also and if they are any kind of washable - I throw them in the washing machinne and then set outside to dry.

[mikandmari]

I've bought 'like-new' used shoes before with great success.

But these, I would just toss. Occasionally you'll get burned buying something 2nd hand, but overall you still come out way ahead.

I prefer to shop for used shoes on Ebay. Sellers with good feedback will accurately describe what they are selling. Of course, we only purchase brands that we are familiar with, so we know exactly what size to buy. It saves lots of money!

[M55FF]

Sounds like they could be loaded with bacteria and give you a bad case of toenail fungus... have a garage sale and sell them or toss em. Whatever you do, I wouldnt wear them

[Jayne]

Sometimes you can't get rid of odors in shoes..dh has a very expensive pair of leather boots he bought a Cabelas and they smell like cat pee (we don't have a cat) we have tried everything to get rid of the smell with no success..

[cissylu]

InBuy used shoes that are lime new but never had any problem`s.
I`d throw that pair away.

[Christa]

I would toss them and be glad I didn't pay more.

But I don't buy used shoes. You never know what might be lurking -- not just odor, but fungus and all kinds of bad stuff.

Fungus and bacteria can't live without moisture, so as long as you don't buy *wet* used shoes you don't have to worry about that. I always Lysol them when I get them home, too, but I think that's more of a psychological thing. :-)

Thanks for the ideas--I'll try baking soda and if that doesn't work I'll toss them.