(Oh boy, am I going to embarrass myself with these before pictures...)
Once upon a time there was a girl who got a pair of Chaco sandals. She loved those Chacos with all her heart. They made her feet very happy. She wore them nearly every day when the weather was nice. She wore them so much, however, that they got very dirty and ugly. She occasionally rinsed them off in the sink or shower, and once or twice swished them around in the (chlorinated) swimming pool to clean them.
One day, Chaco girl realized just HOW DIRTY her beloved Chacos had become. Looking down at her dirty blue Chacos made her feel very sad inside. She knew something must be done to clean them. And soon.
She searched around on the internet, and found out that cleaning them was actually easy! "Hooray!" said Chaco girl.
Chaco girl knew that if her dirty Chacos got clean again, she would share the news with the whole wide world...
So, here I am--at the request of Chaco girl--to show you how she cleaned her beloved Chacos...and how you can clean yours, too!
WARNING: Do not view this picture if you are eating, or have a sensitive stomach. Also, pregnant women should proceed with caution, as should small children sensitive to bad smells.
Chacos BEFORE cleaning:
HOW TO CLEAN CHACOS (and Tevas):
1. Place non-leather sandals inside a mesh bag (optional--just helps protect other clothes), and wash in washing machine on warm. Use any non-bleach detergent, and wash with some towels or sheets.
2. If sandals are especially dirty, use soft (old) toothbrush or scrub brush, and using warm water, gently scrub the footbed, as well as any straps that are especially dirty. If an old toothbrush is not readily available, just use your husband's. Be sure to put it back when you're done.
3. Slide the underneath part of the strap out, and wash. When sandal is clean, slide the strap back to where it was. (This is called "flossing" the straps. Sometimes grime and bad smells can be hiding on the strap inside the footbed.)
4. My sandals were so dirty that I washed them in the machine a 2nd time.
All right, good people, are you ready for the AFTER pictures?
Chacos, after cleaning! See how they sparkle?!
(Note the tiny drops of white spray paint on the straps...Do NOT spray paint in your beloved Chacos...)
Go on--scroll back up to look at the nasty BEFORE pics. Don't they look beautiful now? So sparkly clean, and so good-smelling now.
Chaco girl says to tell you to scoop up your Chacos right now and toss them into the washer. "Toss, toss, toss!" she says. "Clean those Chacos for the good feet of all mankind!"
SPECIAL NOTE: Do NOT wash your Chacos in the dishwasher. First of all, that's nasty. Secondly, the high temperatures may de-laminate your sole...which would in turn, de-laminate your soul. (Get it? Hardee har har.) But, de-laminating soles is not funny, and should never be kidded about.
Just curious--what's your FAVORITE SHOE in your closet?
(Obviously, you already know mine.) *grin*
