The putrid cleats of pestilence...

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Apr 16, 2013
1,113
83
I'm sure many of you have dealt with this. They stink so bad you BETTER not leave them in your trunk overnight, let alone in the back seat floorboard. They've been a great set of cleats though and are still in very good condition. So is there a way to get rid of the horrid stench? I've tried a dousing of febreeze, lysol, and the shoe odor spray. That just makes the stench a slight bit sweeter, like a dead dear carcass vs a dead skunk carcass. They're metal so you can't put them in the washer. Is there a proven method to make them environmentally friendly again?
 
Aug 23, 2016
359
43
I can sympathize. I was once sure that an animal had died in my car but it was just the cleats.

The two things I do to keep from being killed by my daughter's stinky athletic shoes are (1) buy better socks - natural fibers only and (2) make her keep her feet clean all the time. If her shoes and socks come off, she needs to wash her feet. It took a few days of multiple washings per day before I could smell a difference, but I'm much less likely to die from the fumes if she keeps her feet clean.

My mom was a big believer in putting shoes in the sun to get rid of the stink. She had five kids and I don't remember the horrible smell of stinky shoes in our house growing up, so she may have been on to something. Or maybe it just didn't stink because the shoes were always outside.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Yep. My DD's cleats get the scent of cat piss. About a month ago, DW insisted that we buy DD new cleats, even though they were only a few months old.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
DS plays Ice hockey and that is WAY worse. So lots of tactics for reducing/eliminating the smell.

The best 100% method is to take smelly equipment and get it cleaned in an industrial ozone cleaner/sanitizer. A lot of ice rinks proshops have them or can direct you to one. Or you can buy a cheap one for your home. Home ones are not as effective but better than any spray

Of the sprays and detergents - Game Out/Reek Out is the best Game-Out Solutions

Another tactic is baking soda. It takes time but it will absorb a lot fo odors and moisture overnight.

You have to get equipment aerated and dry as often as possible as well. If you are going to keep them in a enclosed humid bag you are fighting a losing battle.
 
Jan 5, 2018
385
63
PNW
OH MY GOSH.

So we use OXY clean, 1/4 cup per gallon of water. Toss them in bucket for 30 minutes or so...wash them with garden hose and let them dry. Works pretty well. Knocks down most if not all the smell

BUT between that we put FOOT SENSE all Natural foot powder in each day at end of the day. That seems to be doing the trick so far w/o having to wash them. This is for her metal cleats.

AND....FUNNY STORY. Pick up DD's teammate to go to game 1.5 hours away. About 20 minutes in to the drive....putrid smell. I make a comment and DD's teammate says "Oh that? Yeah that's my cleats....My mom says the same thing..." Palm to forehead.... Kids...
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
I'm sure many of you have dealt with this. They stink so bad you BETTER not leave them in your trunk overnight, let alone in the back seat floorboard. They've been a great set of cleats though and are still in very good condition. So is there a way to get rid of the horrid stench? I've tried a dousing of febreeze, lysol, and the shoe odor spray. That just makes the stench a slight bit sweeter, like a dead dear carcass vs a dead skunk carcass. They're metal so you can't put them in the washer. Is there a proven method to make them environmentally friendly again?
My son is a soccer goalie. He moved out of my house after his freshman year of college. Soccer goalie gloves have a very specific funkiness, more like hockey equipment then cleats. The odor created a whole new set of rules on how gear was stored and transported in our home. We tried everything. It only helped it didn't eliminate. His hands would take on the sent of the gloves (which like cleats rarely lasted a year). My son hasn't lived in my home for over 5 years now. When I walk into his old bedroom, I can still smell those gloves.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
Trade your car for a pick up :) That's what I did. Obviously I didn't do it for this reason, but once I did I started keeping the cleats in the bed of the truck. No smell in the cab at all :) I also learned that if I drive home from the tournament with the tonneau cover open, the cleats get aired pretty well and are much less deadly by the time we get home.
 
Jan 7, 2019
20
3
I had to get a new truck the smell was so bad.
We now use SneakerBalls by TX-3 and they definitely help. I'd definitely keep a few in the glove compartment!
 

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