Top Natural Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Shoes Looking Fresh

Finding a good pair of shoes takes a lot of time, trial-and-error, and patience. However, once you do find that perfect pair, you’ll want to keep them forever. Of course, shoes don’t last forever, but there are a few things you can do to keep them in good condition.

Fortunately, you don’t need to purchase expensive kits to keep your shoes naturally fresh. Whether you’re caring for sneakers, dress shoes, loafers, etc. a little bit of preventative cleaning and care can go a long way. More importantly, a good cleaning can also remove that funky foot odor from your shoes.

Type of Shoes

For every pair of shoes you own, you’ll need to approach cleaning in a different way for each one. Even different sneakers will require a different cleaning method depending on the materials. While every shoe is different, there are certain materials that most styles use:

• Sneakers - these shoes tend to use a combination of materials including mesh, cloth, rubber, and synthetic leather

• Dress Shoes - these are generally more high end and tend to be made from patent or regular leather.

• Slip-ons - these casual shoes come in a wide variety of materials including suede, cloth, and leather

• Flip-flips - if you’re looking for something that’s cheap and perfect for the beach, flip-flops are an excellent option. They tend to made from foam and plastic though some higher-end ones might use leather or suede.

• Boots - there are a wide variety of boots on the market from more durable work winter boots to fashionable ankle boots to rain boots. As you would expect, they all use different materials. In general, boots tend to use more durable materials such as rubber, leather, and suede.

• Heels - as any woman will tell you, there is a huge variety of styles within the heeled shoe category. For the most part, heels tend to use either patent or regular leather though some might use suede or plastic for the straps.

• Clogs - these fun shoes come in a variety of materials. Clogs differ from heels in that they are made in part or completely from wood. If they’re only made partly from wood the top portion could be made from leather, cloth, plastic, or even suede.

Common Household Items You Will Need

The type of material that makes up your shoe will determine the items you’ll need to use on them. With that said, there are a few standard items you should have on hand for a good cleaning:

• White vinegar

• Soft cloth

• Baking soda

• Toothbrush

• White eraser

• Baking soda

• Laundry detergent

• Rag

• Nail file

• Window cleaner

• Petroleum jelly

No, the laundry detergent is not to use when you throw in your canvas or running sneakers in your washing machine. In fact, avoid putting your sneakers in the washing machine completely. It can negatively affect the integrity and structure of the foam, which will negatively impact its cushioning and overall feel. You also want to avoid completely soaking your shoes in water as it can affect the shoe’s cushioning. Instead, focus on spot cleaning problem areas.

Material

In order to properly clean your shoes, you’ll need to know what material your shoe is made from. Keep in mind that many shoes are made from more than one kind of material, so you’ll need to use different methods for cleaning the same shoes. While it might seem tedious, making sure your shoes are nice and clean will extend their life and help you look sharp.

Mesh

Many sneakers use nylon mesh for improved breathability. While this might help keep your feet cool,  the netting also catches all the dirt and dust you kick up when running or just walking around your neighborhood. To get rid of the excess dirt, use a dry scrub brush to remove any excess dirt that is caked onto your shoe. 

Once your shoe is free from dirt, mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar and let it sit on the dirty spots for around 15 minutes. After that, gentry scrub for a minute and then wipe the area clean with a wet rag. Allow your sneakers to air dry. Do not put them in a dryer as the intense heat can damage the structural integrity of your sneakers!

Synthetic Leather

Unlike real leather, synthetic leather is generally made from plastic so it’s a bit more durable and easy to care for. You’ll want to soak a rag in warm water and a splash of mild laundry detergent. From there, use the rag to clean the shoe and remove any excess detergent. The smudges and stains will lift easily as stains don’t soak into synthetic leather. 

If your shoes are white, you can use something like a white eraser pad. These cleaning pads are made out of melamine foam and use a gentle cleaning product. Simply wet the pad and wipe off the dirty areas. You should only use this product on white shoes to avoid rubbing off any color.

Leather

Leather vegan shoes look great and are also perfect for rainy days. However, no matter how durable or nice they look, if you don’t maintain them properly they will soon look worn and ugly over time. Keeping your leather shoes in a pristine condition requires regular cleaning and polishing. With that said, if you maintain a consistent schedule, you can keep your leather shoes indefinitely.

While there are special leather cleaning kits, if you don’t have the money to purchase them you can still keep your shoes in great condition with a rag, white vinegar, and baking soda. Soak a rag in equal parts white vinegar and water. From there, squeeze out any excess solution from the rag and use the rag to buff out stains. Once the stains lift, let your shoes dry.

To remove scuffs, take a dry, clean rag and dip it into some baking soda. Use wiping and buffing motions to remove the scuffs. To polish and brighten your leather, you can use a little face or body moisturizer on a clean towel to give it back its glow. 

Patent Leather

Unlike regular leather, patent leather has a coat on it to provide that high-gloss finish and a bit more stiffness. The additional coat also makes it easier to clean and maintain than traditional leather. When cleaning any leather products, it’s important not to oversaturate the shoe with water. 

The first method is the easiest and requires soap, water, a clean rag, and a toothbrush. First, you want to clean off any dirt or debris with a toothbrush. After that, dampen a soft rag with a little bit of water and a small amount of mild soap. Use the rag to wipe down the outside of the shoe and then let it air dry.

To remove scuffs and stains, apply some petroleum jelly to a cotton ball, and rub the product into your shoes. After that, spray some window cleaner onto a rag and wipe the shoes down. This will give your patent leather that nice reflective shine.

Suede and Sheepskin

Suede might be great at keeping you warm,  but it’s also great at soaking up stains and it doesn’t really hold up well in wet conditions. Still, if you know how to clean and maintain it, you should be able to keep your favorite UGG shoes looking new. Just make sure that you apply a water and stain protector every time you clean your shoes as this will help prevent stains from the beginning.

When cleaning your shoes you should always remove excess mud and sand first by gently rubbing it down with a clean, dry towel. Remember to wipe in the direction of the fibers and not in a back and forth motion. After that, use a gentle nail file to buff out and stains or marks from your shoes. If it is matted, hold the shoe a few inches above the spout of a steaming tea kettle for a few seconds then brush out the stains with the nail file.

This material tends to be very sensitive to water, so it’s important to avoid using too much. In addition to keeping your suede shoes clean, you also need to make sure they retain their shape when not in use. You should use some newspaper or a shoe tree so the shoes can keep their form while drying.

Canvas

In general, canvas shoes are pretty durable, but they also tend to attract stains. To clean these shoes you should create a cleaning paste made from equal parts baking soda and warm water. Place this paste on a toothbrush and then scrub the canvas until clean. Let the shoes dry with the mixture still on. After that, wipe off any excess pieces with a damp cloth.

If your shoes are particularly dirty canvas shoes are probably one of the few shoes you can throw into your washing machine as they are sturdier than other shoes. You’ll still want to run the shoes on the delicate cycle and only use cold water with a small amount of mild laundry detergent. Make sure to air-dry the shoes. Do not put these in the dryer as the heat can melt and warp the rubber soles.

Rubber

Rubber is perhaps one of the most durable and easy to clean materials. In general, you can just run these shoes under water to remove any excess dirt or sand. Stains usually don’t stick to rubber, but scents do. If you have sweaty feet, then you’ll end up carrying that funk around all day. 

The best way to remove unwanted scents is with baking soda. All you need to do is sprinkle it on your shoes and then scrub it away with a toothbrush. For even cleaner flip-flops, you can soak them in a bucket of distilled white vinegar solution to make them look brand new.

Wood

Wood shoes tend to scuff easily leaving behind unseemly dark streaks on your shoes in addition to the standard accumulated dirt and dust. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to clean. To remove scuff marks, simply use an eraser and rub the mark firmly. Brush off any remnants and inspect the smudge. If it’s not gone, keep using the erase until it’s barely noticeable.

To remove any dirt or grime buildup, dip a sponge into a warm water and dish soap mixture. Be sure to remove any excess water from the sponge and wipe down the wooden parts of the shoe. When scrubbing, be as gentle as possible to avoid scratching the wood surface. 

Inside of your shoes

In addition to cleaning the outside of your shoes, you should also clean the inside of them. Regardless of the season, your feet probably get sweaty, and sweaty shoes mean stinky feet. This odor transfers to the inside of your shoes leaving a rather unpleasant scent that tends to linger. In order to rid yourself of this stench, it’s important to deodorize your shoes.

First, mix about one part white vinegar to five parts water. Remove the insoles of your shoes if you can. From there, dip a sponge in the vinegar solution making sure to remove any excess liquid. From there, clean the insoles and then let them dry. Clean off your sponge and then wipe the insides of your shoes with the sponge and let them dry off. Once dried, sprinkle the inside of your shoes with baking soda and do so after every wear to deodorize them.

Read Manufacture Label

If you’re unsure what materials your shoes are made from, you can always check the manufacture label. You can find this on the sole of your shoe. This label contains two columns divided into three categories:

• First column - this column shows you the different parts of the shoe: the upper, lining & sock, and outer sole in that order.

• Second column - this column tells you what materials each part of the shoe is made of. The jigsaw piece symbol means leather, the jigsaw piece with a diamond means coated leather, the grid symbol means textile, and the diamond means other materials. It’s not super specific, but it should give you a general idea of how you should care for your shoes.

If you’re unsure what material your shoes are made of, you can always look for the manufacturer’s website and search for your exact brand. For larger brands like Nike or Adidas, you’ll be able to find the shoe specifications quickly. For smaller brands, it might be harder to find any information so you will have to go by the labels.

Keeping Your Shoes Naturally Clean Doesn’t Require A Lot Of Time Or Money

Keeping your shoes naturally clean doesn’t require a lot of time or money. However, it does require diligence and routine upkeep. On average, you should wash your shoes every two weeks. Of course these shoe cleaning tips, depends on the types of shoes you have, how often you wear them, and how you wash them. You should avoid washing them too much as that can actually lead to discoloration.

If you wear your shoes often, you’ll have to replace them at some point as you’ll wear out the cushion and soles. In general, shoes last around 8-12 months depending on how often you wear them. While keeping your shoes clean won’t prevent them from wearing out, it will keep them looking and selling fresh.

Karen A Mulvey is a personal social blogger and mom with 14 years of experience in the every day world of motherhood and sustainable product research. Karen is on a mission to help everyday families select sustainable, non-toxic organic products, stop stressing about uncertainties on sustainable home goods and apparel, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.

Follow Karen at @karenAmulveycs | Karen A Mulvey

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