Rock/Creek Suggests Washing Chacos Once Every Two Weeks

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August 5, 2009

Rock/Creek Suggests Washing Chacos Once Every Two Weeks

So you are the proud owner of Chacos and you take them everywhere, you wear them everywhere, and you would die without them in your life... but now.... they stink! It's okay. You do not have a nasty foot funk. The "not so pleasant aroma" wafting from your feet to your nostrils is a commonly accepted factor that comes with owning Chacos. But it's not something you have to live with!

Here's a little science and anatomy lesson for you to explain what's going on (I was once a nursing major)- Our skin (epithelial tissue), is a protective barrier from the elements. Like everything else in this world, there is a life span for our skin cells. Our feet are a tougher thicker layering of skin called Stratified Squamous Epithelium (Layered- Flat/Scale like-tissue). This type of tissue has a high "turn over rate" on locations of high wear and tear and abrasion. New layers are created internally and scale off from the top as they die.

If you plug your nose and look into the foot bed grooves of your Chacos, you will notice a build up of these dead cells. Please don't be grossed out, it is a fact of life. The smell resonating from the sandals is simply the cells being decomposed by bacteria. All YOU have to do, is simply wash that out.

Here at Rock/Creek, we'd like to offer several possible remedies, but we are not chemists nor rocket scientists; we just know what works and what doesn't. We also believe in helping you maintain your investment and keep your Chacos going for years. Our suggestions are low impact, safe methods and will not delaminate the rubber, nor cause the webbing to crack or fade. Essentially, there are two good options for washing your non-leather Chaco Sandals. We'll get to Leather later.

Options and Steps for How to Wash Non-Leather Chaco Sandals:

Option 1: Machine Wash-

1--Chacos are machine washable- More specifically, they're washable in an ordinary clothes washing machine!
NOT the dishwasher which is commonly done and can result in delamination (where the sole peels off the footbed - not a good thing!). Simply place your Chacos in the washing machine with bulky materials such as towels or sheets and let'er rip!.

2--We suggest a mild detergent (no bleach). More companies offer Environmental friendly and mild detergents.

3--Prior to wash, expose the portion of the strap that is typically underneath the midsole. This part of the sandal holds much of the stink. This a referred to as "flossing" the webbing to expose and loosen the grit from the channels. You can do this by gripping the webbing and pulling. HARD! It takes some effort, but you'll see the inside webbing come to the outside. You couldn't put a foot in there, but it's perfect for cleaning your Chacos.

4--After the Washing Machine cycle, place the damp sandals outside to air dry. Keep the sandals out of direct sunlight while drying. This prevents webbing fade and stiffness.

5--Your amazingly clean sandals should be ready to wear within an hour.

Option 2: Bucket Soaking:

1--Mix Baking Soda with enough water to make a paste. Spread the paste out on the footbed and let stand for a few minutes. If you prefer using a trusted cleaner instead of baking soda, Rock/Creek offers NikWax brand Sandal Wash, available at all store locations.

2--Stick the sandals in a bucket of water and let sit for a few hours.

3--Scrub off the remaining baking soda and rinse a few times.
*note: You may notice a little white residue from the webbing as it dries. This is okay, you just may need to re-rinse the webbing out a few times. Baking soda acts as an odor eliminator, however, it does not kill bacteria. You may want to try a mixture of plain vinegar diluted with water on the footbed to kill the bacteria.

4--Place Chacos outside to dry, away from direct sunlight.

*Special Note: In the peak of the humid summer season, washing your Chacos once every two weeks is considered a good idea for the sake of the company around you. It is not possible to over-wash Chacos, as long as the treatment solutions are mild. You'll only increase the durability of the sandal by removing debris that can be abrasive on the straps.

Not an option (Some methods we DO NOT suggest):

Making a blend of bleach and water, and letting the sandals soak in the toxic concoction. This is bad for the planet and for you!
Remember, NO dishwasher washing!

Options and Steps for How to Wash Leather Chaco Sandals:

Leather Chaco sandals require more attention then non-leather Chacos.
Leather is a material provided to us by nature (with a few processes in between but I won't go there...) You want to treat this material with gentle solutions because it is natural.

1--We suggest a damp cloth with little-to-none solution initially to wipe off residue or excess water on the leather sandal.

2--Leather Conditioners are most favorable for prolonging the life of your Leather Chaco Sandals. We suggest a high-quality leather conditioner called "NikWax Leather Conditioner". Pretty straightforward, right? This conditioner will add water repellent qualities to your sandals, and help soften areas that may have already been affected by age and cracking. You may notice your sandals will darken during/after you apply this conditioner because it is so rich with moisturizers. Please be careful not to over-saturate the leather because it will need to breathe and dry.

3--Dry the sandals in an open air location however, keep them OUT of sunlight or heat! The heat will make the leather brittle and cause cracks.