Rain boots keep the wet out and the smell in. But the trade-off for having dry feet need not be smelly feet, if you use these tricks which I have been successful with in stopping the smelly Wellies (fashion and utilitarian rubber boots).
Grab Some Newspaper
Recycled newspaper is the cheapest and best odor absorber around. As soon as you or a family member arrives home wearing wet Wellies, remove the boots and stuff them full of newspaper. Pack the newspaper tightly into the foot of each boot to absorb ordinary foot moisture and any rain water which may have seeped in over the top. My husband’s fishing and hunting adventures often take him through creeks and mud holes where the water crests the height of his boots and I’m left with very wet Wellies to contend with, newspaper will dry them out. Sometimes the newspaper will have to be changed two or three times before all the water is absorbed. Wipe off exterior dirt or mud with paper towel.
Add Baking Soda
Allow the rain boots to set overnight with the newspaper inside (repack for the second night if boot interior is still wet) then remove newspaper. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into each boot. I use an entire small box of baking soda, half in each boot, to deodorize my husband’s rain boots. Women and children’s Wellies usually won’t need as much baking soda.
Insert your hand into each boot and work the baking soda into the boot lining, then allow to set overnight. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber and will also absorb any lingering moisture.
The following day, take the rain boots outside and turn them upside down to remove the baking soda. Bang the Wellies together to remove the majority of baking soda, but you’ll want to leave a light dusting behind to continue it’s odor absorbing work inside the rain boots.
Keep Rain Boots Smelling Fresh
To keep rain boots smelling fresh between rainy days and fishing adventures, purchase (or make) small sachets filled with cedar chips and place inside each boot. If the Wellies are still smelly when you want to wear them, spray the interiors with an extra strength fabric odor eliminator.
Sources:
My Own Experience
Wellies