What is the best way to clean musty odors from leather work boots(Dr.Martens)?

Question

My work boots are very musty smelling from constantly being wet. They are Dr.Marten boots and smell very bad what can I do?

Answer 1

You need to do two things, it sounds like: kill the bacteria and perhaps a bit of mold that's in the boots now, and dry them out so that they're not an inviting atmosphere for icky stuff in the future.

To kill the bacteria and odors, I'd start by spraying the inside and outside of the boots thoroughly with cheap vodka. No, I'm not joking. It's a time honored solution in theater, to freshen costumes that cannot be dry cleaned between performances. Vodka in a spray bottle, inside and out.

Put them in a warm place, though I wouldn't put them in the sun because it might discolor the leather.

Once they're dry to the touch, sprinkle in some baking soda, it will also help to dry them and help with the smell. Don't bother shaking it out before you wear them again, it'll help absorb the sweat from your feet.

And in future, whenever the boots get wet, take them off, stuff them with newspaper and put them in a warm, dry place until they're thoroughly dry, then sprinkle with baking soda again. Make sure they're completely dry between wearings, if necessary, give them a blast with a hair dryer.