It’s likely that your shoes need to be updated if you’ve owned them for a long enough period of time and loved them enough. Taking good care of well-worn shoes, whether they are made of leather, canvas, suede, or another material, can help them last longer and keep your closet odor-free. Depending on the material and style, there are numerous methods for cleaning shoes, so let’s get started!
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Steps on How to Wash Different Shoes Perfectly
First Step
The first step is always the same, even though there are numerous approaches based on how your shoes are finished:
- Before you start cleaning, get rid of any dirt or debris.
- Before you start cleaning, clap your shoes together over a trash can or outside to make sure that any dirt that has caked on them is entirely removed, especially for “activity” shoes like hiking boots or sneakers.
- Make sure to clear the exterior of your shoes of any visible particles or additional debris. If not, all you’ll be doing is shifting the dirt.
Regarding Machine-Washable Shoes
Canvas shoes, younger brands like Allbirds and Rothys, and beat-around athletic shoes are usually machine-washable. Before cleaning a brand-specific washable shoe, make sure you read and adhere to the brand’s specific instructions.
Things you will need
- Access to a washing machine
- A mesh, drawstring bag
- The ideal approach is to take out the insoles, any inserts, and shoelaces from your sneakers before starting a cycle, even though it would be tempting to just throw them in the washing machine.
- Put the shoes and everything else you’ve taken out in a mesh laundry bag that is suitable to use in the washing machine. You’ll save time by avoiding the need to rummage through your other laundry in order to put your shoes back together. In this manner, you can save time and water by throwing them into any cold cycle with other clothes!
- After taking off your shoes, allow them to air dry. Shoes shouldn’t be placed in the dryer. To make sure your shoes maintain their shape while drying, fill them with crumpled paper or plastic bags for added protection.
For Leather Shoes
You’ll need:
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- A soft-bristled toothbrush or cloth
- Leather conditioner (optional)
- A clean, dry rag or towel
- Add a few drops of dish soap (Dawn is a great, mild option) to a cup of warm water. Stir until a sudsy consistency is achieved.
- To eliminate all surface filth and grime, massage your shoe clockwise over the entire surface area with a soft-bristle brush or cloth dipped in your solution. Scrub in small circles on the leather.
- Dry the leather as much as you can with your second dry rag or towel, then let the shoes air dry. Leather shoes should never be placed in the dryer since the excessive heat exposure will cause the leather to deform and change shape permanently. If you have leather conditioner on hand, you can use it sparingly at this point to prolong the life of your shoes.
For All-White Shoes
You’ll need:
- Household bleach
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- A soft-bristled toothbrush or cloth
- A clean, dry rag or towel
- After removing the shoelaces, soak your shoes in a mixture made with one cup of warm water and one tablespoon of bleach.
- If there are any obvious stains or spots, dip your soft-bristled brush into hydrogen peroxide and remove them from the shoe using tiny, circular strokes. White canvas sneakers work really well with this technique.
- You can use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to bring back the rubber’s luster, switch to dish soap and warm water, or keep using hydrogen peroxide to clean the sole.
- Allow time to air dry. As with the sneakers, you can stuff the shoes to help them hold their shape. After everything has completely dried, shoelaces can also be air dried and put back together.
Regarding Suede Shoes
Although it’s a dangerous procedure, suede shoes can be cleaned at home. Suede is ruined by excessive dampness, and over-developing stain treatment can leave permanent stains. The best course of action is to have suede shoes that require some TLC taken to an expert. But if you’re pressed for time, consider this approach.
You’ll need:
- Soft-bristle brush
- Suede brush
- Suede cleaner
- Suede waterproofer
- Purchasing a cleaner designed especially for suede is the best option for removing stains, whether they are recent or old. Observe the directions on the bottle of your cleaner.
- After removing stains, brush toward the pile of the suede with your suede brush. After all that effort to remove stains, brushing suede in circular motions will cause the suede’s integrity to break down, giving it a pilled, dingy appearance.
- Put on your waterproof or suede protection right away. Since suede is harmed by moisture, adding a layer of protection to your shoes might help them last even longer.
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