Dog poo on your shoe? Freeze it so it brushes off more easily

Berlin (dpa) – A brief moment of inattention, and suddenly you step in dog poo. Yuck. When this happens, most of us want to remove it as quickly as possible. A specialist explains how. When you're out and about, your options are limited. "Remove the worst of it straight away – ideally with a tissue or, if it is autumn, using large, sturdy leaves," says Claudia Schulz from the German Shoe Institute. But without water, the smell remains. If you're lucky, you'll find a tap or a toilet with a sink. "Then carefully take off your shoe and clean the sole," she says. You might also find wet wipes helpful. Back at home, you'll have a better chance of cleaning your shoes thoroughly. Schulz recommends an unusual but effective tip, especially for shoes with deep treads. "Put the shoes in a freezer bag and place them in the freezer. The cold hardens the residue, making it easier to remove from the grooves." A beneficial side effect is that the unpleasant odour also disappears after time in the freezer. After freezing, scrape them out. But be careful: this requires a delicate touch. "It's best to put on rubber gloves and use a tool that isn't too sharp, such as a knife without a point," she says. That allows you to remove the residue from the tread bit by bit without damaging the shoe. Sprays are then a quick remedy. Shoe deodorants, special odour removers or even your own perfume all work, says Schulz. If you prefer home remedies, use lemon or bicarbonate of soda. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn nam xxde arw

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