tricks for getting blood out of danskos?

[hippiedoc13]

Anybody know any secrets for getting blood out of Dansko clogs? I think I may have ruined my favorite shoes today. L&D ran out of shoe covers (true story!), I went dashing into a precipitous delivery...and my favorite clogs are ruined. Makes me so mad too...I ALWAYS wear the knee-high paper boots and I NEVER get splashed. Wouldn't you know, the one time I don't...

Anyhow, if there's any hope for getting my clogs clean(er), I would appreciate your tips. Otherwise I'm going to have to throw them out, and that would kill me.

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[Frugal Traveler]

I would try shoe polish if the shoe is black or brown. From my experience with this brand, shoe polish might not work on Dankso. I am talking about the traditional polish (not these things you buy at the store... the type of polish you rub into the shoe: http://www.amazon.com/KIWI%C2%AE-MILITARY-SHOE-CARE-KIT/dp/B001OWTQRG/ref=pd_sbs_shoe_2/184-1079114-8372713)

Hydrogen peroxide could potentially work, but I would try it in an inconspicuous place initially.

Good luck

Otherwise since Dankso is an inexpensive shoe brand, I would just buy another pair and throw the current ones away.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Why do you have to throw them out?😕

I assume they are leather - wash with leather cleaner and some hydrogen peroxide, polish with some wax to moisturize if so desired.

You can't be throwing away shoes every time they get bloody (although I am not sure where Frugal buys his Danskos...but at around $120/pair, I'd hardly call them cheap).

 

[hippiedoc13]

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried the hydrogen peroxide first (to get as much of the blood out as possible), and then used a leather cleaner. Shoes are currently drying and we'll see how they look/feel in the morning.

WS, to answer your question about why throw them out, it wasn't just a little spatter of blood. My right foot pretty much got doused, and by the time the delivery was complete, including the laceration repair, quite a bit had actually soaked in. I was concerned this was going to make the shoe very stiff and not fit well or not be comfy. But hopefully I can somewhat salvage them. And I totally agree with you, $120/pair is NOT cheap in my book.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried the hydrogen peroxide first (to get as much of the blood out as possible), and then used a leather cleaner. Shoes are currently drying and we'll see how they look/feel in the morning.

WS, to answer your question about why throw them out, it wasn't just a little spatter of blood. My right foot pretty much got doused, and by the time the delivery was complete, including the laceration repair, quite a bit had actually soaked in. I was concerned this was going to make the shoe very stiff and not fit well or not be comfy. But hopefully I can somewhat salvage them. And I totally agree with you, $120/pair is NOT cheap in my book.

I understood it was not a splatter of blood (after a general surgery residency, I understand how wet shoes can get sometimes, especially during precipitous deliveries).

However, even if it soaks through and stiffens the shoes you can get shoe trees or my favorite trick: fill a ziploc bag with water to the size of the shoe, freeze so it expands and stretches the shoes.

If after all that you cannot stretch the shoes out, then I agree you might need a new pair. They may never be as comfortable as they were new, but this is an occupational hazard and you'll find that some things you just live with.

 

[Dimoak]

If all else fails and you're ready to throw them out, you may want to try carburetor cleaner. It's relatively inexpensive (shouldn't run you much more than $5-6 for a can) and is a very potent cleaning agent for gunk, etc. Just make sure you use rubber gloves when you're cleaning the shoes, and wash them very thouroughly after you're done before wearing them again. The color may fade a bit and, as WS mentioned, they'll probably never feel the way they did prior, but at least they may still be salvaged enough for you not to have to spring 3/4 of a day's wage for a brand new pair.

 

[tetris]

...my favorite trick: fill a ziploc bag with water to the size of the shoe, freeze so it expands and stretches the shoes.

I wish I knew this trick a few months ago when I bought a pair of dress shoes online (Amazon) that were a bit narrow. I didn't want to return them because I got a great deal, so I stuffed a shampoo bottle into each shoe and let them sit for a few days. It wasn't a perfect fit, but it worked.

But now I have a better way...thanks!

 

[ShyRem]

So WS, you put the shoe and everything into the freezer? doeesn't hurt the leather? (I have GOT to remember this one....)

 

[Winged Scapula]

So WS, you put the shoe and everything into the freezer? doeesn't hurt the leather? (I have GOT to remember this one....)

I dunno...cows stand outside in the freeze all the time.😀

I'm sure its not great for the leather but its better than not wearing the shoes at all. I haven't noticed any long term damage.

 

[Smurfette]

I've never heard of that trick but it makes so much sense!

Although the idea of putting Danskos that have been soiled by god-knows-what in the freezer where food is kept is pretty gross... 😉

 

[Winged Scapula]

I've never heard of that trick but it makes so much sense!

Although the idea of putting Danskos that have been soiled by god-knows-what in the freezer where food is kept is pretty gross... 😉

Food in the freezer?

I thought it was for vodka and ice cubes. 😀

(if you're worried about it, just put the shoes inside a larger bag, so they aren't touching any food stuffs)

 

[hippiedoc13]

However, even if it soaks through and stiffens the shoes you can get shoe trees or my favorite trick: fill a ziploc bag with water to the size of the shoe, freeze so it expands and stretches the shoes.

I love this trick! Thanks for all the suggestions. Tried all of these and they worked like a charm...the shoes will never be quite the same but they are totally wearable. As you say, occupational hazard...

 

[Hamhock]

my favorite trick: fill a ziploc bag with water to the size of the shoe, freeze so it expands and stretches the shoes.

I don't get it. In my small mind, I imagine the water/ice "pushing out" opening in the shoe (mostly the spot where the ankle sits on danskos) and solidifying just a bit above the "overflow" level of the shoe.

Am I missing something?

If so please, tell me because I may finally know why I had such trouble with basic physics.

HH

 

[Winged Scapula]

I don't get it. In my small mind, I imagine the water/ice "pushing out" opening in the shoe (mostly the spot where the ankle sits on danskos) and solidifying just a bit above the "overflow" level of the shoe.

Am I missing something?

If so please, tell me because I may finally know why I had such trouble with basic physics.

HH

Nope...you overfill the bag so that it fits snugly into the toe box. There is no "overflow" into the shank area.

Then when the ice freezes, it stretches the area where before it was sitting snugly.

I've done it several times (mostly with cute high heels that I couldn't bear to part with regardless of how tight they were). It works.

Another option is just to buy some of these:

 

[DrJosephKim]

Are we talking about smooth leather (full grain) or rough leather? (suede-like finish?)

Shoe polish, and then more polish. Buy dark colors.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Ideally, you would want to tackle the stain with water right away. The fresher the blood is, the more effective it is to clean it off. And then, apply some soap on it. Give it a good rub all over the stain. And if you're dealing with light-color fabric, hydrogen peroxide (which will act as bleach) will be a good option. In worse cases when the blood has dried, you'll need to put more work into it. First, apply some pre-treatment products which could be found anywhere on the market. Then use enzyme-based laundry detergent to wash off the stain. This could be applied to bed sheets, shoes, and any kinds of fabric or leather materials.

 

[hamstergang]

Ideally, you would want to tackle the stain with water right away.

I think that window has closed for OP.

 

[Shikima]

Follow uncle bob's rules - add gasoline. use match. Shop on Amazon.

 

[Redpancreas]

Anybody know any secrets for getting blood out of Dansko clogs? I think I may have ruined my favorite shoes today. L&D ran out of shoe covers (true story!), I went dashing into a precipitous delivery...and my favorite clogs are ruined. Makes me so mad too...I ALWAYS wear the knee-high paper boots and I NEVER get splashed. Wouldn't you know, the one time I don't...

Anyhow, if there's any hope for getting my clogs clean(er), I would appreciate your tips. Otherwise I'm going to have to throw them out, and that would kill me.

I was on vasc surgery and we had a surgery that went from 4 PM to midnight (transaortic fem-fem) can’t remember exactly and the blood literally pooped through the floor and soaked through my boot covers and my shoe covers and I had socks, shoes, and pants covered in blood. The blood never came off the danskos no matter what I tried and I ended up throwing them out.

 

[d2305]

Nope...you overfill the bag so that it fits snugly into the toe box. There is no "overflow" into the shank area.

Then when the ice freezes, it stretches the area where before it was sitting snugly.

I've done it several times (mostly with cute high heels that I couldn't bear to part with regardless of how tight they were). It works.

Another option is just to buy some of these:

I never understood why women wear something this uncomfortable.