How to Clean Shoes Like a Pro

Do you know how to clean shoes at home? Shoe Mo’s guide on how to clean shoes at home will have you wearing them in no time! When it comes to cleaning shoes, DIY is the simplest method. Cleaning shoes does not have to be expensive either! We have all the secrets that will have you wearing your shoes in style.

There are so many types of shoes, and each one requires a different technique to clean. With some, you can be more forceful, and you might have to be a lot more gentle with the other. Doing thorough research about proper care and cleaning is vital.

So don’t just throw your shoes into the washing machine. This article tells you how to clean shoes based on the types of materials they are made of. These tips can assist you on how to clean shoes at your home.

How to clean shoes in the washer?

Whether you just finished a Tough Mudder or want to freshen up your comfy kicks, it’s still important to do some prep work to keep your sneakers from getting damaged. Luckily, sneakers are easy to clean and to make it even easier, you can use the washing machine!

Here’s how to get your sneakers looking bright and clean in under 40 minutes.

What You Need

•  A washing machine
•  Liquid detergent
•  Three tablespoons of baking soda
•  A pillowcase or wash bag
•  A sneaker brush cleaner
•  Several towels

Steps to Follow

1. The night before, sprinkle sneakers with three tablespoons of baking soda in each shoe and leave them overnight. Remove in the morning.
2. Remove the laces and put them inside a pillowcase or wash bag to prevent them from getting tangled—place them in the washer. Wipe as much mud and debris off your sneaker as possible with a brush cleaner or an old toothbrush.
3. Next, add your shoes to the washer along with some towels. We recommend about four to six towels. Doing this will help balance the load and prevent your shoes from loudly slamming against the inside of the washer.
4. Using liquid detergent, run the washer on a cold delicate cycle. Depending on your washer, the wash time varies from 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Remove the sneakers from the washer and allow them to air dry. NEVER put shoes in the dryer, as the heat may warp them or damage the glue that keeps them together.

How to clean shoes the best way?

1. Use Baking Soda – Make sure to deodorize the shoe with baking soda the night before. While this is a small detail, this will make all the difference.
2. Use a wash bag – Place the laces inside a wash bag to ensure they don’t get tangled inside the washer.
3. Use a brush cleaner – Remove dirt and grime from your sneakers before placing them in the washer.
4. Use liquid detergent – Do not use powdered detergent as it might get stuck inside of your sneakers.

Types of Shoes to Never Put in Washing Machine

The following shoes are not suitable to put into the washing machine and should be left to the professionals.

• Leather or dress Shoes
• Suede
• Rubber boots or wellies

How to Clean Shoes: Black Suede

Basic Cleaning

Use a Suede Brush: Suede is a very delicate material, so you can’t use just any kind of brush to clean it. Moreover, you also can’t use water to clean most stains. Instead, you must use a soft brush to rub away the dirt gently. It is also best to buy a suede brush available at most major retailers, shoe shops, or online.

Brush away the dirt: To start cleaning, use the brush to brush away any dirt and stains. This gets all the dirt from the surface of the shoe. When first brushing, make sure you brush in the same direction. This helps remove anything on the surface. This works for mud and other basic stains.

Rub the stain a bit harder: After you’ve brushed all the dirt off the surface, use the brush to rub with slightly more pressure. Brush back and forth over the stain to try to remove the deeper dirt in the suede. Make sure to use moderate pressure still only. Suede is delicate, so if you brush it too hard, you can damage it.

Spray your shoes with a black suede protector: After cleaning your shoes, consider spraying them with a black suede protector. This product will help keep your shoes from getting too many surface stains, though it won’t protect your shoes from everything.

Use black suede dye if the color has faded: Cleaning your black suede shoes may lighten the black color. If this happens, you can buy black suede dye. Follow the directions on the suede dye package to properly dye your shoes. Cover the area with the dye and allow it to set. Make sure to buy paint specifically for suede.

What about tough stains?

Make a vinegar solution: If brushing doesn’t remove the stain, you can try to remove the stain with vinegar. Mix a solution that is one part white vinegar and two parts water. Use a soft cloth, and dampen it with the solution. Make sure the fabric is damp and not sopping wet. Wipe the stain using gentle pressure. Let the shoe dry entirely before you wear it or place it in a shoebox.

Try a rubber stone: If there is a stain you cannot remove with a brush, like mud, you can try using a rubber cleaning stone. You may also be able to find a suede eraser, which often comes with suede cleaning kits. Rub the stain with a rubber suede eraser or cleaning stone. It may take a while, but with gentle pressure, it should remove the stain. After, you may need to brush away rubber debris.

Take your shoes to a professional: If you have significant stains on your black suede shoes that simple at-home techniques cannot remove, consider taking your shoes to a professional. These stains may include red wine, blood, or ink.

Cleaning Specific Types of Stains

Use water for water stains: Water can help remove basic suede stains. To do this, dampen a soft cloth and then cover the shoe in a light layer of water. Make sure the water is evenly spread over the shoes.

1. Use a dry cloth to dab up the excess water.
2. Place a shoe tree or balled-up paper inside the shoe to keep the shape. Then, let it dry overnight.
3. Brush with a suede brush to liven the look of the suede.

Try cornstarch on oil stains: If you have an oil stain on your suede shoes, try using a brush. If it does not work, use cornstarch. Sprinkle a light coating of cornstarch on the oil stain and let it sit for around eight hours. After, brush away the cornstarch and use steam from a steam iron to dampen the stained area lightly. This will slowly separate the stain, so it is easier to remove the stain.

Freeze the shoe if something is stuck on the shoe: If you get chewing gum, wax, or something else sticky on your suede shoes, a brush won’t work. Place the shoe in the freezer until the sticky substance is frozen and hard. Use a brush to chip away the hardened substance.

How to Clean Shoes: Sports or Running Shoes

Running, exercising, or jogging is tough on your shoes. Sports Shoes end up with dirt-caked outsoles, reducing traction. Also, sports shoe users constantly battle dirt, grime, and debris that can work into a shoe’s fabric and grind away at your foot like sandpaper. And that’s not even mentioning the damage from weather, sweat, and the barrage of countless miles.

Knowing how to clean your sports shoes is essential. They’ll look fresh, and you’ll prolong your shoes’ lifespan. Here is our guide to cleaning and maintaining your sports shoes at home.

Step 1

Start by wiping away dirt, grass, and mud with a soft brush like an old toothbrush.

Step 2

Remove and place laces and insoles inside a pillowcase. Then stick the pillowcase inside a washing machine – run with laundry detergent on cold/delicate. This will clean both laces and insoles while eliminating odors.

Step 3

Mix water with an eco-friendly laundry detergent. Scrub away stains and wash the shoes using an old toothbrush to apply the mixture.

Step 4

Rinse with a warm washcloth, removing soap, suds, and any remaining grime.

Step 5

Air-dry at room temperature (but never outside, because the sun wears and warps the outer sole, and leads to yellow staining).

How to Clean Shoes: Melissa

Melissa shoes are made from Melflex PVC, so they are super easy to clean. We recommend you use a soft, damp cloth and mild soap to remove any marks or dirt. Do not rub aggressively or use an abrasive substance as this may damage the finish.

Take a superficial household tissue and gently wipe underneath the shoes to dry them. Then, place your shoes on top of the shoebox to let them air dry for a few minutes. You can also use a light soap with water to gently clean your Melissa shoes.

If the shoes get stinky, sprinkle baking soda inside them overnight. The following day, shake out the white stuff. By this time, the shoes should already be deodorized. You can also wash the shoe’s exterior with some dish soap and hot water with an old toothbrush.

How to clean inside of shoes?

When your feet sweat, they activate odor-causing bacteria. The bacteria-laden sweat transfers to the inside of your flats or shoes, resulting in an unpleasant, stinky smell. Rather than tossing your shoes in garbage, why don’t you clean them? It is an easy and fast solution.

Step 1

Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with five tablespoons of water in a small container. Remove the insoles of the stinky shoes if possible.

Step 2

Dip a sponge in the vinegar and water solution and squeeze it gently to remove excess liquid. Wipe the insoles with a sponge to clean them. Allow the insoles to air-dry in a well-ventilated area.

Step 3

Rinse the sponge with running water and then dip it into the vinegar and water solution. Then, wipe the insides of the flats or shoes with the dipped sponge. Do not forget to place the shoes in a well-ventilated area to air dry.

Step 4

Sprinkle the insides of your flats or shoes with baking soda after each wear to deodorize them. Otherwise, spray the inside of the shoes with a shoe disinfectant spray if you don’t want to use baking soda.

How to Clean Shoes: The Best Way Possible

To ensure peak performance of your shoes over time, we recommend proper care and maintenance, including cleaning. You can keep your shoes fresh with a few easy cleaning steps:

Dry brush: Remove dirt from the outsole, midsole and uppers using a dry, soft-bristled shoe brush. No shoe brush? No problem—an old toothbrush will work just fine.

Make a mild cleaning solution: Mix warm water with a small amount of mild laundry detergent.

Wash laces: Remove the laces and apply a small amount of the mild cleaning solution. Massage the laces, rinse and then dry with a soft cloth.

Wash soles: Apply the mild solution to a soft-bristled brush and brush the outsole and midsole. Dry with a soft cloth.

Wash and blot: Use the mild solution and a soft-bristled brush or a soft cloth to clean the uppers. Then use a dry microfibre towel or soft cloth to blot and lift as much soapy moisture and dirt as possible. Repeat if necessary.

Air-dry: Air-dry at room temperature.

Shoe Mo Cleaning Services

Our cleaning service is professionally executed with quality shoe care products, which leaves your shoes looking like new again. Natural water-resistant treated soaps are designed only for footwear from sporting sneakers to dress shoes and polish powders with silk or cloth for superior shine retention. We also have soft brushes, an assortment of colored powder solutions infused with antifungal agents to remove dirt from all leather materials.

ShoeMo provides professional shoe cleaning services to businesses, locations, and families. We provide on-site service seven days a week, so your shoes are kept in pristine condition all the time. Book your appointment today on our website or contact us through Whatsapp at +673 7373 123 for any inquiries.

References:

1. https://www.littleloveliesbyallison.com/diy-shoe-cleaner-ideas/ 
2. https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Black-Suede-Shoes
3. https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/how-to-clean-leather-shoes-and-boots
4. https://www.rd.com/list/how-to-clean-shoes/
5. https://www.hunker.com/13423397/how-to-clean-the-inside-of-stinky-shoes-flats