Hey guys,

I have several pair of O shoes that I wear constantly...literally wearing them out from the inside out. I need a way to clean them. I generally clean my hats in the dishwasher as it keeps there form and was considering trying the same thing with my shoes - Mainly the SI Boots and various leather/suede Flesh shoes...

Anyone tried this or have alternate methods....


Nik Gutscher (DisturbedEarth - 3/20/2005 5:38:31 PM)
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Wash them by hand with hot water and a softish brush (a nail brush is good). I would stay away from getting the inside too wet if you can help it. Use odor eaters type powder after you wear them. I used to have the same problem with my cleats. Now, I wash them by hand pretty regularly, and I'm careful to get all the sand and junk out of them.

Bottom line, keeping the inside dry will prevent them from breaking down too quickly, and will make them smell better.

Brian Johnson (BrianJ1888 - 3/20/2005 5:51:24 PM)
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For the Suede shoes, AVOID WATER at all costs. They sell kits that you can use on suede. There's a bar that looks like an eraser, and a brush. Use the bar to remove scuffs and dirt, then brush it to remove the residue and restore the grain.

For the SI boots, clean like I said originally, and add some Mink Oil to keep the leather supple. You wipe it on with Paper Towels, massage it in a bit, then wipe off after about a minute. It also helps them repel water.

Brian Johnson (BrianJ1888 - 3/20/2005 5:54:23 PM)
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Thanks bud!

Unfortunately, these are shoes I have been wearing for years...not too worried about the outside - it's the inside I was hoping to "sterilize" a bit....outside of just buying all new ones...which I'm working on anyway...but I love these shoes...

Nik Gutscher (DisturbedEarth - 3/20/2005 6:00:43 PM)
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If you think they'll handle the water, a regular washing machine (clothes not dishes) works. Take out the insoles if you can. Let them air dry, as shoes have a strange tendency to want to try and climb through the lint filter (it's happened to me twice) which kills them. Newspaper helps them dry. Funnily enough, fabric softener sheets also work really well to deodorize shoes.

Brian Johnson (BrianJ1888 - 3/20/2005 10:12:25 PM)
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