People who love Chacos will go to any lengths to show just how obsessed they are with it. For instance, they will wear them anywhere and everywhere, from walking to running errands to just about everything. However, it is common knowledge that if you wear the same shoes constantly, they are bound to get smelly, which raises the question, “Do Chacos get smelly?”
The answer is yes. Chacos are perfect for outdoor adventures. Your encounter with sweat, mud, and other elements will ultimately develop odors over time and cause Chacos to be smelly. Infact, Chaco fans can testify that continuous wearing over extended periods can leave Chacos with a strange and funky odor.
But, even if your Chacos have started giving off a strange or foul smell, you shouldn’t worry. In this guide, I will explore the most common reasons why Chacos smell, how to eliminate them, and share the most amazing insider tips for getting rid of the unpleasant odors. So, keep reading.
Do Chacos Get Smelly?
Just like all shoes start to give off a strange or funky smell after continuous periods of wear, so will your Chacos. Moreover, since Chaco sandals are ideally loved and worn in various seasons and activities, such as rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, etc., they are bound to start smelling after some time.
For people who have a keen interest in outdoor activities and adventures like hiking, camping, etc., Chaco sandals are just the perfect footwear. After all, these sandals have earned quite the reputation for unparalleled resilience.
They are pretty sturdy on the trails, sandy shores, riverbanks, and even on wet terrains. Moreover, it is not unusual that a pair of Chacos sandals can go a decade without replacing the straps or footbeds.
So, if you are fond of embarking on a series of adventures quite frequently and wondering if your Chacos will get smelly, you have come to the right place.
In this guide, I will delve deeper into the specifics of your Chaco sandals hygiene. I will also discuss the various factors that contribute to the strange odors and share some essential cleaning tips to ensure your Chacos continue to smell fresh.
Reasons Why Chacos Get Smelly
There are various things that can result in the creation of funky and strange odors in your Chacos. These include:
Retention of Moisture
If you often wear Chacos in the wet conditions, there is a high chance it is retaining that moisture. When this moisture stays for a long time, it creates an environment that becomes a breeding ground for odor-causing fungi and bacteria.
Sweating of the Feet
Sweating is a natural process. Most of us tend to sweat a not during the warmer months. If sweat keeps building up over time, you can expect your Chacos to get smelly and give off unpleasant odors.
Bacterial Growth
Fungi and bacteria often dwell and do well in dark, damp places. When the natural elements from the environment and sweat build up, it can breed microorganisms. As a result, the Chacos start to give off unpleasant odors.
Build Up Of Debris and Dirt
As you walk through different terrains, sand and dirt will always find a way of entering into the corners of the sandals. If this continues happening and Chacos go without cleaning, this can also contribute to unpleasant odors.
4 Ways to Get the Smell Out of Your Chaco Sandals
If you have gone on an international trip or a really long and tiring hike while wearing Chacos, you will soon start feeling the funky odor developing within the sandals’ rubber surface.
It can be difficult to deodorize this particular smell because bacteria can dwell within the rubber fiber soon after you have worn Chacos for some time.
Regardless of how bad or unpleasant the smells might be, you can try out a vast range of household solutions to get rid of that odor from your Chacos sandals and freshen them for the next trek.
Having said that, here are some must-try solutions and hacks that can help deodorize Chacos and retain their freshness.
Place Them in the Sun
The UV rays from the sun can have a strong deodorizing effect on your Chacos sandals. These rays do an excellent job of drying up the sandals and neutralizing all sorts of funky odors and foot-related bacteria that contribute to the smell.
In addition, fresh air and an alfresco setting can aid in dispersing the unpleasant odors within the rubber material. So, whenever it is feasible, sunlight can be a good source of killing the fungi and bacteria in your Chacos.
To obtain ideal results, allow your Chacos to bask anywhere within the garden or patio where it can be exposed to 8 hours of direct sunlight (at the minimum). If some odor still remains, you can repeat this for another day or two till your Chacos start smelling fresh.
Soak Them in a White Vinegar Solution
White vinegar is an excellent household acid that works wonders at getting rid of the nasty foot smells from the surface of your Chacos sandals. You can rest assured that your shoes will come out smelling fresh.
Take a large flattened dish container and fill it up with 3 parts warm water and 1 part white vinegar. Then, place your stinky Chacos into this mixture while facing it downwards.
Try submerging those parts of the sandal in the formula that normally come into contact with your foot. Let your sandals remain soaked in the water-vinegar solution for a minimum of 6-8 hours before letting them air dry in the sun.
Submerge in Enzymes
If the smelly odors within the Chacos sandals are unbearable, you can try using active enzymes. They work as an effective agent in drying out the sweat and freshening the rubber fiber.
Add enzyme cleaner into a large container till the depth reaches a half inch. Now, put in your Chacos upside down so that all areas of the sandals can be exposed to the formula. Let the shoes sit for a total of 4 to 6 hours and then allow them to air dry.
Apply a Baking Soda Paste
Just like white vinegar, you can also apply baking soda in a paste form to get rid of the stinky foot bacteria that is basically living on your Chacos sandals. The solution comprises mixing two parts water and one part baking soda into a paste.
Then, you can apply this paste on the parts where your feet make direct contact with the Chacos. Then wait for a total of 24 to 48 hours, after which the paste will harden and soak in all the bad smells from the rubber surface.
Note: It is fundamental to clean your Chacos immediately after you feel they have started smelling. If you wait long before treating it, the smells will get more powerful, making it more difficult to neutralize it.
As a result, you can save considerable effort and time if you start treating the bad smells within your Chacos as soon as you find out about this matter.
Tips for Preventing and Dealing With Chaco Odors
Using these methods, you can neutralize and get rid of the smell in your Chacos. However, there are some other things you can also try doing to tackle this issue.
Regular Cleaning
The best way to prevent the odors from building up within your Chacos is to clean them regularly. Rinse the sandals to remove the debris and dirt off of them.
Moreover, if you want to ensure thorough cleaning, you can even use a soft brush and mild detergent-water solution to scrub the grime and dirt build-up.
Proper Drying
Another thing that helps keep the odor away is to ensure you give time to your Chacos to properly dry between uses.
If you have engaged in water-based sports while wearing Chacos, you should remove the excess moisture by letting them air dry. Moreover, it is best not to store them in enclosed or damp places.
Clean Insoles and Straps
Some models come with removable insoles. You can take the insoles out and clean them thoroughly. As far as adjustable straps are concerned, it is vital to clean them thoroughly, especially around the corners where they come into direct contact with the foot.
Use Anti-Odor Products
There are plenty of anti-odor products that are designed explicitly for this reason. To prevent or combat unwanted odors in your Chacos, consider using insole inserts or sprays with antimicrobial properties.
Conclusion
Chacos are designed for outdoor excursions, and so it is inevitable they will develop smells after some time. Rest assured, with some tender loving care and maintenance, you can keep your Chacos clean and fresh smelling.
People who love Chacos will go to any lengths to show just how obsessed they are with it. For instance, they will wear them anywhere and everywhere, from walking to running errands to just about everything. However, it is common knowledge that if you wear the same shoes constantly, they are bound to get smelly, which raises the question, “Do Chacos get smelly?”
The answer is yes. Chacos are perfect for outdoor adventures. Your encounter with sweat, mud, and other elements will ultimately develop odors over time and cause Chacos to be smelly. Infact, Chaco fans can testify that continuous wearing over extended periods can leave Chacos with a strange and funky odor.
But, even if your Chacos have started giving off a strange or foul smell, you shouldn’t worry. In this guide, I will explore the most common reasons why Chacos smell, how to eliminate them, and share the most amazing insider tips for getting rid of the unpleasant odors. So, keep reading.
Do Chacos Get Smelly?
Just like all shoes start to give off a strange or funky smell after continuous periods of wear, so will your Chacos. Moreover, since Chaco sandals are ideally loved and worn in various seasons and activities, such as rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, etc., they are bound to start smelling after some time.
For people who have a keen interest in outdoor activities and adventures like hiking, camping, etc., Chaco sandals are just the perfect footwear. After all, these sandals have earned quite the reputation for unparalleled resilience.
They are pretty sturdy on the trails, sandy shores, riverbanks, and even on wet terrains. Moreover, it is not unusual that a pair of Chacos sandals can go a decade without replacing the straps or footbeds.
So, if you are fond of embarking on a series of adventures quite frequently and wondering if your Chacos will get smelly, you have come to the right place.
In this guide, I will delve deeper into the specifics of your Chaco sandals hygiene. I will also discuss the various factors that contribute to the strange odors and share some essential cleaning tips to ensure your Chacos continue to smell fresh.
Reasons Why Chacos Get Smelly
There are various things that can result in the creation of funky and strange odors in your Chacos. These include:
Retention of Moisture
If you often wear Chacos in the wet conditions, there is a high chance it is retaining that moisture. When this moisture stays for a long time, it creates an environment that becomes a breeding ground for odor-causing fungi and bacteria.
Sweating of the Feet
Sweating is a natural process. Most of us tend to sweat a not during the warmer months. If sweat keeps building up over time, you can expect your Chacos to get smelly and give off unpleasant odors.
Bacterial Growth
Fungi and bacteria often dwell and do well in dark, damp places. When the natural elements from the environment and sweat build up, it can breed microorganisms. As a result, the Chacos start to give off unpleasant odors.
Build Up Of Debris and Dirt
As you walk through different terrains, sand and dirt will always find a way of entering into the corners of the sandals. If this continues happening and Chacos go without cleaning, this can also contribute to unpleasant odors.
4 Ways to Get the Smell Out of Your Chaco Sandals
If you have gone on an international trip or a really long and tiring hike while wearing Chacos, you will soon start feeling the funky odor developing within the sandals’ rubber surface.
It can be difficult to deodorize this particular smell because bacteria can dwell within the rubber fiber soon after you have worn Chacos for some time.
Regardless of how bad or unpleasant the smells might be, you can try out a vast range of household solutions to get rid of that odor from your Chacos sandals and freshen them for the next trek.
Having said that, here are some must-try solutions and hacks that can help deodorize Chacos and retain their freshness.
Place Them in the Sun
The UV rays from the sun can have a strong deodorizing effect on your Chacos sandals. These rays do an excellent job of drying up the sandals and neutralizing all sorts of funky odors and foot-related bacteria that contribute to the smell.
In addition, fresh air and an alfresco setting can aid in dispersing the unpleasant odors within the rubber material. So, whenever it is feasible, sunlight can be a good source of killing the fungi and bacteria in your Chacos.
To obtain ideal results, allow your Chacos to bask anywhere within the garden or patio where it can be exposed to 8 hours of direct sunlight (at the minimum). If some odor still remains, you can repeat this for another day or two till your Chacos start smelling fresh.
Soak Them in a White Vinegar Solution
White vinegar is an excellent household acid that works wonders at getting rid of the nasty foot smells from the surface of your Chacos sandals. You can rest assured that your shoes will come out smelling fresh.
Take a large flattened dish container and fill it up with 3 parts warm water and 1 part white vinegar. Then, place your stinky Chacos into this mixture while facing it downwards.
Try submerging those parts of the sandal in the formula that normally come into contact with your foot. Let your sandals remain soaked in the water-vinegar solution for a minimum of 6-8 hours before letting them air dry in the sun.
Submerge in Enzymes
If the smelly odors within the Chacos sandals are unbearable, you can try using active enzymes. They work as an effective agent in drying out the sweat and freshening the rubber fiber.
Add enzyme cleaner into a large container till the depth reaches a half inch. Now, put in your Chacos upside down so that all areas of the sandals can be exposed to the formula. Let the shoes sit for a total of 4 to 6 hours and then allow them to air dry.
Apply a Baking Soda Paste
Just like white vinegar, you can also apply baking soda in a paste form to get rid of the stinky foot bacteria that is basically living on your Chacos sandals. The solution comprises mixing two parts water and one part baking soda into a paste.
Then, you can apply this paste on the parts where your feet make direct contact with the Chacos. Then wait for a total of 24 to 48 hours, after which the paste will harden and soak in all the bad smells from the rubber surface.
Note: It is fundamental to clean your Chacos immediately after you feel they have started smelling. If you wait long before treating it, the smells will get more powerful, making it more difficult to neutralize it.
As a result, you can save considerable effort and time if you start treating the bad smells within your Chacos as soon as you find out about this matter.
Tips for Preventing and Dealing With Chaco Odors
Using these methods, you can neutralize and get rid of the smell in your Chacos. However, there are some other things you can also try doing to tackle this issue.
Regular Cleaning
The best way to prevent the odors from building up within your Chacos is to clean them regularly. Rinse the sandals to remove the debris and dirt off of them.
Moreover, if you want to ensure thorough cleaning, you can even use a soft brush and mild detergent-water solution to scrub the grime and dirt build-up.
Proper Drying
Another thing that helps keep the odor away is to ensure you give time to your Chacos to properly dry between uses.
If you have engaged in water-based sports while wearing Chacos, you should remove the excess moisture by letting them air dry. Moreover, it is best not to store them in enclosed or damp places.
Clean Insoles and Straps
Some models come with removable insoles. You can take the insoles out and clean them thoroughly. As far as adjustable straps are concerned, it is vital to clean them thoroughly, especially around the corners where they come into direct contact with the foot.
Use Anti-Odor Products
There are plenty of anti-odor products that are designed explicitly for this reason. To prevent or combat unwanted odors in your Chacos, consider using insole inserts or sprays with antimicrobial properties.
Conclusion
Chacos are designed for outdoor excursions, and so it is inevitable they will develop smells after some time. Rest assured, with some tender loving care and maintenance, you can keep your Chacos clean and fresh smelling.
