Are you looking for ways to make your favorite shoes new again? Well, we’ve got you covered.
Everyone loves clean shoes. But sadly, the moment those new shoes step out of their box, they attract all kinds of germs, dirt, and stains, which are quite inevitable. Then, it becomes important that you find ways to get rid of these contaminants and make your shoes look new and clean again.
Also, clean shoes are necessary for healthy living. A recent study shows that nearly a third of shoes carried E. coli bacteria due to contact with human or animal fecal matter. Thus, it would be best if you cleaned your shoes regularly to prevent these disease-causing germs from invading your home.
However, you should understand that there are different kinds of shoes, depending on the material they are made from.
For example, some shoes are made from leather, while others are from suede. As a result, the method of cleaning each shoe type varies depending on the material.
This article highlights a thorough guide on cleaning shoes made of all kinds of materials.
How To Clean Suede Shoes
Items Required
- Suede brush
- Suede eraser
- Shoe brush
- Suede cleaner
Suede shoes are often considered to be difficult to clean. Well, this isn’t true if you follow these recommended tips carefully.
First, you should avoid dipping your suede shoes into water or pouring excess water on them. This can cause discoloration or damage to its texture.
If you notice any stain or dirt on your suede shoe, wait till it is completely dried. Then, you can use a suede brush or any soft-bristled brush to wipe away the stains. However, you should ensure that you brush the surface in the direction of the material.
Also, in cases of scuffs and marks, rub the shoe surface gently with a block eraser or suede rubber to get rid of them.
Other important tips include –
- For stubborn or larger stains: You can eliminate the stain by using a microfiber cloth dipped in white vinegar or alcohol. Or, you can make use of a nail file.
- For most stains: Absorb the moisture with a cloth or paper towel. Then, leave the shoes to dry completely before brushing with a suede brush.
Check out our detailed guide for more tips on how to clean suede shoes.
How To Clean Canvas Shoes
You can clean your canvas shoes by either hand washing or using a washer. However, it is advised to hand wash canvas shoes designed with leather or suede or embellished with beading or rope soles.
You can also spot clean the surface if you need it urgently.
Below are the steps involved in handwashing canvas shoes.
- Prepare your cleaning solution: First, you need to make your cleaning solution by mixing a small amount of liquid laundry detergent and warm water.
- Unlace the shoes: Next, remove them and wash them separately if the shoes have laces. You can soak them in some of the cleaning solution you prepared or in a diluted bleach solution. After, you can rinse and leave it to dry.
- Pretreat the stains: Before washing, you need to pretreat any noticeable stains on your canvas. You can apply detergent directly to the stain and work it using a brush or your fingers. Then, leave it to sit for about 15 minutes before washing the shoes.
- Remove stains with a sponge or cloth: Next, dip a sponge or washcloth into your cleaning solution and scrub the entire shoe. You can also use a melamine sponge to get rid of scuff marks on the soles.
- Rinse to remove soapy residue: Dip a cloth in clean water to wipe off the soapy residue from the shoes after the dirt is removed.
- Allow to dry completely: Finally, leave the shoes to air-dry completely. Also, allow the laces to be completely dried before re-lacing.
How To Clean Leather Shoes
Leather shoes get stained more often than others, so you must have them clean at all times. However, you should avoid scrubbing hard to prevent damage to the shoes.
Items Required
- Shoe polish
- Horsehair brush
- Polishing cloth
Below are the steps to get rid of leather shoe stains:
- First, get rid of any dirt, dust, or debris. You can do this by brushing the shoe surfaces with a horsehair brush.
- Next, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing warm water with white vinegar or liquid soap. Then, dip a soft-bristled brush into the solution and clean the shoes gently.
- Leave the shoes to air-dry and polish with a clean, dry cloth.
- To get rid of scuffs, you can dampen a cloth in water and then dip it into baking soda. After, rub the shoes with a wet cloth to get rid of scuffs. Stubborn scuffs can be removed using a melamine sponge or rubbing some petroleum jelly.
- Also, you can purchase a commercial shoe polish and use it to get rid of scuffs, marks, and stains on your leather shoes.
Got white leather shoes and want to be extra careful? Read our article on how to clean white leather shoes.
How To Clean Sneakers
Your new pair of sneakers will not stay new forever. Except, you don’t intend to wear them. They will always attract dirt whenever you go out with them.
So, what is the solution?
The solution to keeping your sneakers clean and good-looking is to learn the best ways to clean them.
Items Required
- Microfiber cloth
- Laundry detergent
So, if you have been wondering how to keep your favorite sneakers looking fresh and neat every time, then this section is for you.
- First, you need to get rid of any dirt or debris. You can do this with a brush or clean cloth. This will help prevent a build-up of dirt.
- Next, you should unlace before you start cleaning. Drop the laces in a bowl containing a solution of hot water and laundry detergent and leave for about 30 minutes. Remove the laces from the bowl, scrub them thoroughly, and dry with a microfiber cloth.
- Then, get rid of the dirt on the soles by washing them off with running water or a damp cloth. After, dip a clean cloth into a detergent solution and scrub any visible stain on the shoe surfaces. Continue the process till the stain is completely removed.
- Finally, grab another clean cloth or towel and dip it into clean water. Use the damper cloth to wipe off the soapy residue on the shoes. Afterward, leave the shoes to air-dry.
Learn how to clean all types of shoes in our detailed guide.
How To Clean Velvet Shoes
Items Required
- Microfiber towel
- Soft brush
- Liquid soap
Velvet shoes require special handling as they are quite vulnerable, and the material can get easily damaged and blotted. However, if you follow these steps carefully, you can get your velvet shoes looking new and clean again.
- For mud or dirt stains: First, let the shoes dry out completely before removing the stains. It is easier to get rid of muddy stains when they are dry. Afterward, you can use a soft brush to remove the stains. Ensure that you brush the surface in the direction of the material.
- For wet stains or liquid spills: Get a microfiber cloth or absorbent towel and gently dab at the stained area. This will help soak up some stains and prevent them from setting. Next, prepare a cleaning solution using dishwashing soap and water or lemon juice and baking soda. Then, dip a soft brush or cloth into the solution and scrub the stain gently. Finally, leave the shoes to air-dry or use a microfiber cloth to absorb the moisture from the affected area.
- Also, you can use a protective spray on your velvet shoes to prevent future stains. But, first, ensure that the spray is suitable for velvet shoes.
How To Clean White Shoes
White shoes are easily susceptible to stains and dirt. And unlike shoes of other colors, it is difficult to wash out the stains.
If you have abandoned your white shoes because of a lasting stain, follow these steps to make your shoes new again.
Items Required
- Bleach
- Baking soda
- Laundry detergent
- Vinegar
- Soft brush
There are several ways to eliminate lasting stains on white shoes. You can either use bleach, baking soda, or a soapy mixture.
- Cleaning with soap and water: First, you need to brush away any dirt or dust on the outside of the shoes. Next, you should prepare a soapy solution by adding detergent to warm water. Then, dip a soft brush or cloth into the solution and scrub the stains on the shoes. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe off the soapy solution, and dry with an absorbent cloth. Finally, leave the shoes to air-dry.
- Cleaning with bleach: First, dilute the bleach in water in a well-ventilated environment. Then, dip a brush in the bleach and scrub the shoe, especially the stained areas. Wipe off the bleach solution by cleaning the shoes with a damp cloth. Finally, leave in a well-ventilated area to dry.
- Cleaning with baking soda: Prepare a paste from baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. Then, apply it to the shoe and gently scrub to remove the stains. Leave the paste to dry on the shoes, then brush off the residues after that.
Need some other cleaning tips on how to clean velvet? Take a look at our guide How To Clean Velvet Step-by-Step.
How To Clean Shoes In Washing Machine
Have you wondered if you can use a washer to wash your shoes? Well, The answer is Yes.
You can wash your shoes using a washing machine. However, not all shoes are suited for machine-washing.
Generally, shoes made from synthetic materials like nylon, cotton, or polyester are fit for the machine because they are durable and are not damaged by detergent. However, shoes made from leather or suede should not be washed in a washer.
Items Required
- Old towels
- Mesh garment bag
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Old Newspapers
- Soft brush
So, before you start cleaning, you should check your shoe care instructions for washing recommendations.
- First, remove your shoelaces. You can wash them in the machine after putting them in a mesh garment bag, or you can hand wash them after soaking them in a detergent solution.
- Next, use a soft brush to remove as much debris and dirt as possible from the soles. You can also use a toothpick to remove stuck dirt in tight areas carefully.
- Remove the insoles. Ensure that you do not put the insoles in the machine. They can get waterlogged and take days to dry. Instead, you can clean the insoles by wiping with a damp sponge, or a rag dipped in the soapy solution. Next, rinse with a damp cloth and sprinkle baking soda to absorb the moisture. Once they are dried completely, return the insoles to the shoes.
- Place the shoes in the mesh garment bag and old towels to reduce the washer’s load.
- Set the washer to a gentle wash cycle using cold water. Set the spin settings to slow or no-spin. Also, you should use a liquid detergent inside of powdered detergent as they can leave residues on your shoes.
- Once the wash cycle is complete. Remove the shoes from the mesh bag and allow them to air-dry.
- Stuff the shoes with old newspapers or paper towels to absorb excess moisture and keep them in shape.
- Finally, leave your shoes in a well-ventilated area to dry. However, this might take a few days.
