How to clean Chaco sandals for winter storage. Winter is well on the way, and it’s time to switch out summer sandals for big boots. Before you chuck your Chaco’s away for the season, take a few minutes to clean them out! They’ll store better, smell better, and last longer if you take good care of them. To clean dirt and sweat off of the footpad, submerge in warm water to get them wet, take out, and pour on some baking soda. Rub it in and let sit for about 20 minutes before brushing off. A great utensil to use is an old toothbrush to get in all the grooves, or an old rag to get some good friction. Wash off and enjoy smell-free and shiny foot beds. You can also use a specific Sandal Wash products like we stock at such as NixWax sandal wash to clean footbeds and straps.
Next, it’s time to clean the straps. Submerge in warm water and let sit for 20 or more minutes, then begin gently pulling the straps back and forth, starting with the toe and working down the body of the shoe. The cool thing about Chacos is that all the straps are connected, but that also means that it’s easy for dirt and grit to get built up inside the shoe. Keep pulling the straps back and forth until no more dirt is appearing, and the straps move easily within the shoe. Then, rinse again in clean water to make sure that all dirt and grit is off, dry in a warm place for 24 hours, and your shoes will be good to go for the winter!