Dirt and dust that accumulates often causes discoloration of the rubber sole, causing the shoe to look worn. Actually you don't have to bother making the soles look bright again. Cleaning the rubber soles on your shoes regularly will help them look new for a long time. That way, you can save money by not having to buy new shoes for a while.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Baking Soda and Detergent
Step 1. Clean the dirt that moves
If your shoes are particularly dirty, start by taking them outside and then patting each other's shoes to remove large lumps of dirt or loose mud. If too much mud remains on the shoes, the cleaning process will take longer.
- Don't forget to pat each other's shoes outside so as not to contaminate the interior of the house.
- You can even use a butter knife or wrench to scrape off any mud that has settled in between the grooves of the shoe.
Step 2. Use a dry brush to clean loose dirt
Before you start scrubbing the rubber soles, it's a good idea to clean or scrape off any loose dirt that gets on the soles. The more dirt that comes off with a dry brush, the easier your job will be when cleaning your shoes with your cleaning solution.
- No need to brush the sole too hard. Dirt that doesn't come off immediately can be treated with a cleaning solution.
- Use a dry brush like a toothbrush. Avoid using a steel brush, which can damage the sole of the shoe.
Step 3. Mix baking soda and detergent in equal proportions
The amount of baking soda and detergent needed depends on how dirty the shoes are. Usually not too much. Start by mixing the ingredients, a tablespoon each, in a small bowl. You can always add ingredients if you don't think it's enough.
- The baking soda will act as an abrasive, helping the detergent wash away dirt and grime.
- Do not use detergents that contain bleach.
Step 4. Brush the rubber sole with the cleaning solution
Use a brush to apply the baking soda and detergent mixture to the rubber soles of your shoes. When brushing, use circular motions as this method is usually the most effective at removing dirt and dust.
- Do not use this cleaning solution to clean the canvas, as it can be difficult to rinse off the baking soda thoroughly.
- You can prepare a different solution using only detergent and water to clean the canvas.
Step 5. Use a different sponge or cloth to rinse the rubber sole thoroughly
After scrubbing the rubber soles with the cleaning solution for some time, take another clean cloth or sponge and dip it in clean water and use it to wipe the rubber soles, rinsing several times until there are no traces of solution left.
- If there is still residue of the cleaning solution left, the rubber sole will appear blackened.
- The detergent mixture residue left behind can also make shoes very slippery and potentially dangerous.
Step 6. Dry the shoes until they are completely dry
After the shoes are thoroughly rinsed, use a clean towel to dry the rubber soles before you put them on again. Once the shoes are dry you can clearly see how effective the cleaning solution was. At this stage, you can repeat the process if needed.
- Do not leave the shoes in a wet state because it will become smelly.
- Wearing wet shoes is also dangerous. Make sure the shoes are completely dry and free of soap residue before putting them back on.
Method 2 of 3: Soaking the Rubber Soles
Step 1. Fill the basin with water until it reaches a height of no more than 2.5 cm
Find a basin large enough to fit your shoes, then fill it with enough water to cover the soles of the shoes. Make sure you use warm water that is free of dirt and debris.
- Keep in mind that once you put your shoes in the water level will rise.
- If necessary, you can soak the shoes individually.
Step 2. Add dish soap to the water
When the water reaches the right level, you can add a spray of mild dish soap and stir to mix well. Liquid dish soap plays an important role in the soaking process because water alone is not enough to break down the sticky dirt.
If you soak white rubber soles in white shoes, you can even use a little bleach instead of dish soap
Step 3. Soak the rubber sole for a few minutes
For best results, let the rubber soles soak in water for a few minutes. This will loosen any sticky dirt and grime, making it easier for you to scrub off any residue left behind.
- Make sure only the rubber sole is submerged in water.
- If your shoes are really dirty, you can soak them for more than 15 minutes.
Step 4. Use a brush to brush off any remaining dirt
After the soaking time is complete, lift the shoes and use soapy water to brush off the remnants of dirt and dust still attached to the rubber sole. Do not use a wire brush as it can damage the shoes.
- If necessary, you can soak the shoes again after this step.
- If you use a bleach solution, it's a good idea to wear gloves to avoid possible skin irritation.
Method 3 of 3: Using Nail Polish Remover for Scratches
Step 1. Clean the dirt and mud on the rubber sole first
Nail polish remover is very effective at treating discoloration and removing sticky dirt from rubber soles. However, do not use this method if the shoes are covered in dry mud or are not white in color.
- It is recommended to wash the rubber sole using another method before using liquid polish remover to treat scratches.
- Be careful not to touch the canvas of the shoe when using the liquid polish remover.
Step 2. Dip a cotton ball in the liquid polish remover
While there are several ways to apply nail polish remover to rubber soles, cotton balls are the best choice because they are the right size and shape to make it easier for you to clean the sides of the rubber sole and other small pieces of rubber.
- It is recommended to wear gloves when working with liquid nail polish remover.
- If your shoes are very dirty, you may need more than one cotton ball.
Step 3. Scrub all the scuff marks you find
Use a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover to rub any scratches you can find on the rubber sole. As the process progresses you will notice that the area that has been rubbed becomes whiter than the part of the sole that has not been treated.
- Scrub off any very obvious scratches before you clean the entire sole.
- You may need to use more than one cotton ball to treat a fairly deep scratch.
Step 4. Clean all other parts of the rubber sole with nail polish remover
After dealing with sizable scratches and stains from the rubber sole, use a cotton ball that has been dipped in stain-removing liquid to clean the rest of the rubber sole while scrubbing if necessary to treat the entire area of the sole.
If you don't clean the sole completely, the darker areas will appear, while the polished areas will appear brighter and whiter
Tips
- Don't use detergents or cleaners that contain bleach, unless you're cleaning white shoes.
- Make sure the shoes are rinsed well. Otherwise, the shoes will become very slippery.
- Once the shoes are clean, you can use liquid nail polish remover to treat any scratches that form.
- You may have to repeat the cleaning process more than once to make your shoes look like new again.
