How to Clean Shoes

At some point, your favorite shoes will get dirty and need to be cleaned. Proper shoe washing based on shoe materials not only helps you have beautiful shoes, but also prolongs the life of your shoes.

Table of Contents

Cleaning canvas shoes

Remove dirt or sand from shoes. Use a toothbrush or small shoe brush to brush away dirt or sand from the shoes. You should only scrub with enough force to break the adhesion between the dirt and the shoe. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Clean the soles of your shoes with a baking soda mixture. The soles of canvas shoes are the dirtiest and most difficult to clean, so you should mix baking soda with water to make a cleaning mixture. Dip a toothbrush into the mixture and scrub the soles of your shoes. Wipe clean with a wet towel after scrubbing is complete. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Pre-treat stains with detergent. If your canvas shoes are stained, apply a small amount of detergent to the stained area. Leave the cleaner on the stain for the time recommended on the product packaging. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Remember to test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area of the shoe first. This step helps to ensure that the product does not discolor or bleed the shoe.

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Wash shoes in washing machine on gentle cycle. Add mild alkaline soap to the washing machine, choose a cold water temperature, and start the machine on a gentle cycle. When the rinse water enters the washing tub about three-quarters of the way, you put the shoes in and close the lid. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Dry the shoes. After the washing machine is finished, you will take the shoes out of the machine and dry them overnight in a well-ventilated place, but away from direct sunlight and heat sources. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Cleaning leather shoes

Remove sand or dirt from the shoe surface. Gently scrub with a stiff bristle brush or an old toothbrush to remove dirt from the shoes. Be careful not to rub too hard to avoid scratching the surface of the shoe. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Wipe grease and grime off the surface of the shoe. Use a clean, dry towel to gently wipe away any grease or grime from the leather shoe. You can use an old washcloth, dish towel, or handkerchief to make a shoe towel. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Wipe the shoes with a wet cloth. After using a dry cloth to wipe away grease or scale, wet the cloth in warm water and gently wipe the surface of the shoe. Squeeze out excess water with a towel to avoid water damage to the leather.

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Dry the shoes. After cleaning leather shoes, you must let the shoes dry completely before using. Dry shoes for at least 30 minutes in a well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Footwear treatment. Use a soft cloth to apply cream-based polish to the skin and wait a few minutes. Then, use another towel to polish the leather. This step helps maintain the durability and protection of the leather.

Cleaning suede shoes

Use a special soft-bristled brush to clean suede and nubuck leather shoes. Gently rub the surface of the shoe to remove any dirt or sand from it. Remember not to scrub too hard as you may scratch the suede.

Remember to rub the shoes in the same direction. Rubbing in different directions can result in two different colors on suede.
Don’t use a wire brush on suede as it can damage the shoe.

Use bleach to remove stains or dirt. Sometimes suede shoes get dirty and you just need an eraser to get rid of that pesky stain – it’s so easy! Use an eraser to gently scrub the stain to remove it.

Treat with a silicone spray bottle. Silicone spray helps prevent new stains and prevents water damage on suede shoes. After removing dirt and sand from the shoes, spray silicone on the surface of the suede shoes to increase protection. Silicone will help prolong the life of the shoe.

Cleaning vinyl shoes

Remove dirt and sand with an old toothbrush or soft-bristled shoe brush. The first step when cleaning vinyl shoes is to remove dirt or sand from the surface and sole. Gently scrub the shoe to remove dirt before proceeding to the next step.

Treat scratches with a pencil eraser. An ordinary eraser will help you remove scratches or stains from vinyl shoes. Gently erase these marks with an ordinary clay eraser or pencil eraser. Remember not to scrub too hard.

Clean the surface of the shoe with a damp cloth. Find a soft, clean towel like an old face or hand towel and dip it in warm water, then squeeze out any excess. You can add a drop of mild soap to the towel. Gently wipe the surface of the shoe. If using soap, you must wipe off any soap residue on the shoes with a damp cloth.

Cleaning white shoes

Clean white leather shoes with a wet cloth and specialized detergent. Every few days you will use a damp cloth to wipe your shoes. If the shoes are dirty, squeeze a small amount of white shoe cleaner or white toothpaste on the stain, then rub gently with a wet cloth. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the shoes. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Scrub white canvas shoes with soap. Test the soap by applying it to an inconspicuous area of the shoe. If it does not damage the material or color of the shoe, use a shoe brush to gently scrub it with soap. Rinse the shoes with water, then dip the shoes in hot water mixed with a few drops of bleach, and finally dry the shoes. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Clean white mesh shoes with washing machine. After removing dirt with a toothbrush, toss the shoes in the washing machine with soap, then set the washing machine to hot water. Remember to remove all shoelaces before washing. Avoid bleach as it can cause synthetic fibers to yellow. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Clean dirty and smelly shoe insoles

Take out the shoe insole. To clean the insole effectively, you must remove it from the shoe. Grasp the edge of the insole near the heel of the shoe and gently pull it out.

Remove dirt and sand with an old toothbrush or soft-bristled shoe brush. Use a brush to gently scrub the mat until all soil is removed. Don’t scrub too hard as some fabric insoles can tear.

Use a wet cloth and soap to wash the pad. Put some soap on a towel soaked in water. Then, scrub the pad and run warm water to remove all the soap.

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