USVI-On-Line

And while, as a Southerner in training, that would be a point of pride, it makes me sad.

I have 2 pairs of flip flops...upstairs and downstairs. The upstairs ones are fine, but the downstairs ones seem to be filthy.

I've run them through the washing machine twice now and my feet still come out of them all dirty.

I don't want to bleach them because then the straps will turn white.

Anyone got a suggestion? These are Reef flip flops, and while I prefer my Teva brand more, these are comfy and I got them on sale.

Help?

I have the same problem. Even with the ones that are dedicated house-flops.

The two J. Crew pairs I have are still turning my feet blue after at least 3 years. It is definately the dye from the rubber bottoms, not dirt. Maybe you are having the same problem? Maybe it isn't dirt but dye?

I scrub my Leatherman flip flops with a scrub brush. Dirt seems to really stick to those.

Yet my husband never has dirty foot-bottoms and he does stuff like yard work and walking in town - dirty stuff. All are the same brand, the name escapes me right now, and I wonder if they have some sort of dirt repelling properties.

Hmmm...that's interesting. Because, as I stated, the Teva ones are fine. But, their decking (is that what you call it) is spongier. The Reefs are more sturdy and solid. I never thought it could be dye but it makes sense.

I woke up with clean feet...put them on for like 5 minutes to go water some plants in the yard and now they're black.

It washes off in the shower...but turns the shower pan black...causing me to need to wash it all the darn time.

I'm sure it's dye from the flip flops. I've had that problem with cheap (I'm taking like $2) flip flops but never with the nicer ones. I would expect better out of Reef.

Go with Crocs..

I can run in them and they don't fling sand on my a$$ like I'm riding a bike without a rear fender.

Try some Keen's...they're worth every $$$ !!!

Wakey wrote:Go with Crocs..

I can run in them and they don't fling sand on my a$$ like I'm riding a bike without a rear fender.

I apologize to any Crocs wearers out there, but I do enough to look like a jackass...with the penchant for loud shirts and obscure minor league baseball caps, but I draw the line at Crocs. Tevas look stupid, but Crocs are Satan.

We're getting the little (bigger little) one Keens for next summer's trip.

I just had the flip flops on for like 1 minute to go check my tomato plants and, already, black feet.

And...they're like 3 years old! Maybe washing them was a bad idea. The grime from the pool deck and the yard keeps the dye off my feet!

I am liking Chacos right now.

I bought two pairs in leather (one brown, one black) for our Virgin Gorda trip (Feb), wore them all summer and they still look brand new. The footbed is lined in leather that doesn't make my feet black or brown. I am impressed.

Husband has the men's version as his "dress" flip flops and his have held up equally as well.

Even though I've had a couple cheap pairs of flip flops dye my feet, better than 90% of my cheap flip flops are perfectly fine. I don't think you need to spend $30+ to get good flip flops.

I currently have well over 50 pairs, so I think I know what I'm talking about

Teresa_Rae wrote:Even though I've had a couple cheap pairs of flip flops dye my feet, better than 90% of my cheap flip flops are perfectly fine. I don't think you need to spend $30+ to get good flip flops.

I currently have well over 50 pairs, so I think I know what I'm talking about

All of the flip flops in this house are bought at end of season closeouts. $30 for something to go on my feet? Heck...my SHOES don't even cost that much. Why else did God invent Timberland and Bass outlets?

The soles of your reefs remind me of my Donkey Diner coffee cup. After a year of use and in the dishwaher, daughter comes to visit and she is using this cup, black all over her hands, she wipes her face, black on the face. Finally figured out it was coming off of the cup. Woe is me, I loved that coffee cup. But I guess a year of use paid for it??? Son has the reef flops with the bottle opener on the sole and loves them. They are a light sole so no probs. Pip, guess it's time to 96 those reefs. My 2 cents.....

Have you tried washing the flip-flops with something non-abrasive, and non-bleaching, such as Simple Green?

If they're fairly new they may have some sort of film that takes a while to wear off if you don't wash it off.

Just a thought from a Florida beach bum with a southern heritage - as you can tell from my black feet and flawed speech.

augie wrote:Just a thought from a Florida beach bum with a southern heritage - as you can tell from my black feet and flawed speech.

I do it all for you...

I too think it's definitely the flops themselves and not dirt. My Reefs did that as well, and they were black flops. I second the recommendation for Chacos. I do buy nice (ie, ridiculously overpriced) flip flops for summer wear because I like to have more stylish ones to wear with dresses, shorts, etc for dinner, and I should've worn my Chacos out by now, but they still look and feel great.

Try contacting Reefs.
I would bet they've heard this complaint before and may have an answer,
or maybe a replacement.
Good luck.