Whatever your lifestyle, your shoes are bound to get dirty at some point. You shouldn't go out in shoes that look shabby or worn. A simple cleaning can usually remove excess dirt and dust leaving your shoes looking brand new!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Machine Washing Sneakers
Step 1. Remove the shoelaces and insole
You will need to wash your shoes, laces, and insoles separately as this will shorten the drying time later.
You can wash laces along with your shoes in the washing machine, but water will clog the insoles for days
Step 2. Clean the shoelaces
If the laces are very dirty, you will need to buy new laces, but you can clean them by scrubbing them with a soapy brush or putting them in the washing machine with the shoes. Let it dry on its own before installing again.
- Another way to clean shoelaces is to put them in a pillowcase and staple or tie the ends and put them in the washing machine. This will keep your shoes from getting stuck in the washer's drain hole.
- To make the laces as bright as possible, if the laces are white and the shoes are colored, you can wash them separately in a regular wash cycle with other white clothes.
Step 3. Clean and deodorize the insole
Using a mixture of liquid laundry soap and warm water, gently scrub the insoles with a soft brush or washcloth. Then soak the sponge in excess soapy water and allow the insole to dry on its own before putting it back in the shoe.
- If the insole still smells bad, put it in a plastic bag with baking soda, shake it evenly, and leave it overnight.
- If the insole still smells bad, soak it for a few hours in a 2:1 mixture of vinegar and water. Then soak briefly in a mixture of warm water, baking soda, and an essential oil, such as tea tree oil or cypress oil.
Step 4. Wipe off excess dirt and heavy stains on the shoes
Using a dry toothbrush or soft brush (such as a shoe brush), brush off any mud or dirt on the shoes.
- Remove any other stains (eg plastic parts) using a brush with warm water and/or cleaning cream applied to a cloth or tissue.
- If the brush can't reach the nooks and crannies of your shoes, you'll need to use a toothpick or cotton swab.
Step 5. Insert the shoe into the pillowcase
Then clamp the pillowcase half closed with 3 safety pins so that water can still flow in and out.
- To wash laces in the washing machine at the same time, tie the ends and place them in the pillowcase with the shoes.
- You can also use a dirty clothes bag instead of a pillowcase.
Step 6. Put the pillowcase in the washing machine with a towel or two inside
The towels will keep the shoes from bumping into the washing machine during the wash cycle, which could damage the machine or the shoes.
- Make sure the towels are used towels as new towels have fine lint and dye that can stain sneakers!
- Most sneakers are tough enough to put in the washing machine, but be sure to check the manufacturer's directions as companies like Nike only recommend hand washing.
Step 7. Add liquid laundry soap
Powdered laundry soap can clog your shoes, so use liquid laundry soap. You can also add vinegar to remove odors and fir oil for disinfection.
If adding spruce oil, the product used must contain at least 80 percent fir oil
Step 8. Turn on the washing machine
Run the washing machine on a gentle setting, cool temperature, slow or no spin, and no drying. Warm temperatures can cause the sneakers to warp and fast spinning or drying can damage the shoes or the washing machine.
Step 9. Remove and dry the shoes
When the washing machine has stopped, remove the shoes from the pillowcases and set them aside to dry. Putting shoes in the dryer is not recommended because the dryer can warp the soles of the shoes.
- Inserting a tissue or newspaper into the shoe will help dry the shoe faster and keep it in shape.
- Place your shoes (as well as laces and insoles) in a well-lit area to dry. Do not place it in a hot place (eg near a radiator) or in direct sunlight as this can damage the shoes.
- It can take hours or even days for the shoes to dry completely, so plan your cleaning time in advance.
- If you are in a hurry and need to use the washer dryer, wrap the shoes in a towel and turn the dryer on the “gentle” setting and check frequently to make sure the shoes are not getting too warm.
Step 10. Put your shoelaces back on and wear shoes that look “like new”
When it's completely dry, put the insole and laces back on and wear it! Shoes will now look better and less smelly!
Method 2 of 3: Hand Washing Sneakers
Step 1. Remove and clean shoelaces
Remove the shoelaces, and with a soapy brush, rub the shoes over a roller or tumble dryer. Then allow the laces to dry completely before putting them back on. If the laces are very dirty, you will need to buy new laces.
Step 2. Remove and clean the insole
With a mixture of warm water and liquid laundry soap, scrub the insoles with a soft brush or washcloth. Then absorb any excess soapy water with a sponge and allow it to dry completely before putting it back on the shoe.
Step 3. Remove excess dirt
With a soft-bristled brush, such as a shoe brush or toothbrush, scrub off any excess dirt on the outside of the shoe. You'll need to use a toothpick or cotton swab to get to the hard-to-reach areas.
Step 4. Mix the cleaning solution
While there are a variety of shoe cleaning solutions on the market, a simple mixture of warm water and a little liquid laundry soap is good for making a soapy mixture for cleaning the outside of your shoes.
Step 5. Rub the shoes
Apply a small amount of the cleaning solution to a sponge, soft cloth, or brush, and scrub the outside of the shoe. This takes a little effort and a few tries, depending on the state of the shoe.
For heavily stained areas, allow the cleaning solution to soak in for a few minutes, then scrub
Step 6. Remove excess solution
Dip another sponge, soft cloth, or brush in warm water and scrub away the remaining solution until it's no longer visible.
Step 7. Dry the shoes
Place the shoes (with laces and insoles) in a place with sufficient light at room temperature to dry. Do not place it in a hot place (eg near a radiator) or in direct sunlight as this can damage the shoes.
It is not recommended to put your shoes in the washer dryer because the soles of the shoes can warp
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Formal Shoes
Step 1. Get rid of the odor on formal shoes
Prepare some baking soda, ground coffee, or cat litter, and sprinkle it directly into formal shoes. Leave the deodorizing agent in your formal shoes whenever you're not wearing them so the smell doesn't go away. Shake the formal shoes to remove the deodorizing material.
Another, neater way to get rid of odors is to put a deodorizing agent in a small bag and place the bag in your shoe. You can make your own pockets using stockings: put a deodorizing agent in the stockings and secure them with string or rubber bands
Step 2. Clean leather formal shoes
If worn daily, leather shoes should be cleaned 2-3 times a week using a soft cloth and a soapy mixture to remove visible dust and dirt. Then polish (natural polish or wax is better) and rub with a soft cloth until the desired shine effect is achieved.
Step 3. Clean suede formal shoes with a brush
If worn daily, suede shoes should be cleaned 2-3 times a week using a suede brush to remove dirt and stains.
You should spray suede protection on new suede shoes after each cleaning as this will make the shoes more resistant to stains and will make it easier to clean next time
Warning
- Be careful if you use a washer dryer to dry your shoes, as excessive heat can cause the soles to warp.
- Check the manufacturer's instructions before cleaning the shoes as some shoes require special handling.
- Because of the risk of damage to shoes in the washing machine, it is best to wash them for no more than a year or if they are very dirty.
- If the shoes are expensive or in soft condition, it is best to wash them by hand or take them to a professional shoe cleaning service.
