Shoes are an essential part of our daily lives, protecting our feet and complementing our outfits. However, they often get dirty and worn out, diminishing their appearance and lifespan. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your shoes can keep them looking fresh and extend their usability.
Preparation
Gather Your Supplies
- Soft brush (e.g., old toothbrush)
- Mild detergent or specialized shoe cleaner
- Clean cloths or sponges
- Warm water
- White vinegar and baking soda (optional)
- Shoe polish or leather conditioner (for leather shoes)
- paper towels
Inspect the shoe material
Remove laces and insoles
How to clean different types of shoes?
Different types of shoes have different cleaning methods.
First, you need to distinguish the type of shoes and use the appropriate method to be more effective and protect the shoes from damage.
White shoes: warm water + baking soda + toothpaste+mild detergent
- Add a piece of white toothpaste , two spoons of baking soda and to warm water, stir well.
- Soak the shoes in warm water for 20 minutes.
- Scrub them with a brush.
- Rinse them with clean water.
- Wrap them with white paper towels and place them in a ventilated place to dry.
Canvas shoes: warm water + toothpaste + white vinegar + salt
- Soak it in warm water, squeeze some toothpaste and scrub.
- Take another basin of warm water, add 80 ml of white vinegar and two spoons of salt, stir evenly.
- Put the canvas soles face down, put them in and soak them for 30 minutes before picking them up.
- Rinse them with clean water and place them in a ventilated place to dry.
Furry shoes: white vinegar + dish soap
- Wet the area that needs to be cleaned with clean water.
- Mix white vinegar, dishwashing liquid and appropriate amount of water.
- Wipe the upper with a scouring pad.
- Wait until it is 80% dry, then blow dry with a hair dryer.
Suede shoes: suede brush + suede glue + water-free cleaning solvent
- Use a suede brush to remove surface dirt and restore the nap of the suede.
- Then use suede glue to remove stains on the upper.
- Use a water-free detergent for deep care, add foam to other parts of the upper, and clean a large area.
Mesh shoes: toothpaste + neutral laundry detergent
- Use toothpaste + neutral laundry detergent (such as wool or silk detergent), and brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- wrap them with white paper towels and place them in a ventilated place to dry.
Plastic slippers: baking soda + toothpaste
Add some baking soda and toothpaste to the water, put the slippers in and soak for half an hour.
Cotton slippers: baking soda + white vinegar + beer + dish soap
Mix baking soda + white vinegar + beer + dish soap with water, put the shoes in and soak for 5 minutes, shake and clean.
Leather shoes: warm water + milk + white vinegar + dish soap
- Pour 100 grams of expired milk, 50 grams of dish soap, and 30 grams of white vinegar into the water.
- Stir evenly and soak the shoes in the water for 20 minutes, then clean them with a soft brush.
How to Remove Odor From Shoes?
After wearing the shoes for a few days, they emit an unpleasant odor when you take them off. This will make you feel embarrassed, especially for people who sweat frequently.
The most direct way to Stop Shoes From Smelling is to wash them. However, many people don’t have much time and energy. Sometimes we only wear them for one day and they haven’t become dirty yet, You need some easy way.
How to remove smell from shoes without washing?
White vinegar
Soak the paper towel in white vinegar and put it in the shoes. The evaporation of white vinegar can take away the odor.
Baking soda
Sprinkle it evenly in the shoes and wait for the next day to remove the odor.
Desiccant
Put the desiccant in the package into the shoes to help remove the odor of the shoes.
White wine
Pour the white wine on the paper towel and stuff it into the shoes. The alcohol can kill bacteria and fungi and reduce the odor.
Camphor balls
Put it in a cloth bag or wrap it with toilet paper and put it in the shoes to remove bacteria and odor.
Bamboo charcoal
Put the bamboo charcoal bag in the shoes and use its adsorption to remove the odor.
Orange peels
The honeycomb-like substance in orange peels can absorb odors from shoes.
How to dry shoes after washing?
Dryer
Mesh shoes, sneakers, and canvas shoes can be dried, but leather and wood shoes cannot.
After cleaning the shoes, put them in the dryer and dry them at low temperature for 1 hour.
Fan
You can create hooks with an old wire hanger and a wire cutter. Hang them on the hooks, then turn on the fan and blow them.
Newspaper
Leather, suede and wooden shoes are most suitable for this method
Roll the newspaper into a ball and stuff it into the shoes. Wrap the shoes with a layer of newspaper and place them in a ventilated place.
Hair dryer
Just blow on the upper and inside of the shoe for about 20 minutes. This is a quick and effective method.
Bamboo charcoal
Put the bamboo charcoal in a clean cloth bag and stuff it into the cleaned shoes
It can eliminate moisture and odor in the shoes and prevent the growth and reproduction of bacteria.
Rice
Rice is a natural desiccant.
No matter what material the shoes are made of, you can use the drying effect of rice to absorb moisture.
Pour an appropriate amount of rice into the shoes, it can absorb moisture and moisture.
Paper towels
Wrap them with white paper towels and place them in a ventilated place to dry.
Notice: Try using it when the weather is good. It will work quickly, but when it is cloudy, it will be slower than other methods.
How to properly take care of your shoes?
Shoes are more than just a fashion statement—they are an essential part of our daily lives, Taking proper care of your shoes can help extend the life of your shoes.
- Clean and maintain your shoes regularly
- Keep them dry and away from moisture when storing
- Use shoe trees to keep your shoes in shape
How to Care for Leather Shoes?
Use a clean cloth/brush to clean the stains on the surface of leather shoes
Use a clean cloth to dip in shoe polish/vaseline, apply evenly on the shoes, and wipe several times with small amounts.
How to Care for sneakers shoes?
When the upper is dirty, use a soft cloth with a special cleaner to remove the stains.
After cleaning, place in a cool place to dry. Avoid direct sunlight or high temperature baking to avoid aging, deformation and fading.
Store your sneakers in a cool, dry place. Use shoe bags or boxes to protect them from dust and dirt.
How to Care for Suede shoes?
Carefully use a soft brush to remove the dirt adhering to the shoe surface according to the bristles.
If necessary, dip the brush in a small amount of suede glue before cleaning the shoe surface.
After the shoe shape is stabilized, let it dry naturally and avoid direct sunlight.
How to Care for canvas shoes?
Don't let white canvas shoes come into contact with hard-to-clean items, such as carbon ink, etc.
Wrap them with white paper towels after cleaning to prevent discoloration.
Put them in a ventilated and cool place to dry naturally.
Don't expose them to the sun or bake them in a high-temperature place to prevent the glue from degumming, which will accelerate aging.