Everyone has experienced the sense of dread that comes with wearing a box-fresh pair of shoes or your favourite golden oldies, and seeing the heavens open with apocalyptic snow or rain.
But life is for living and your shoes were made for walking. So, it’s time to banish any trepidation and prep yourself with the shoe care solutions you need to keep your creps looking great.
Our complete cleaning guide covers everything from top tips for cleaning shoes and shoe laces, to how to clean shoes made from patent leather and other delicate materials. Keep scrolling to discover incredible products and stain-busting ingredients that you’ll want in your arsenal next time you step in a deceptively deep puddle!
Before you get started
No matter what style of shoe you’re giving some TLC to, you’ll need to ensure that they’re free of excess dirt before you up the cleaning ante. Start by taking out the laces and insoles and putting them to one side for later (this goes for shoes of all materials!). Then, opt for a soft-bristled brush or microfibre cloth to remove any loose dirt and debris on the exterior. Once you’re ready to start cleaning your shoes, you’ll find the steps you need below.
How to clean canvas and fabric shoes
If you’re looking for how to clean canvas, fabric or mesh shoes for a pristine finish, a few household items and five simple steps are all you need to restore your dirty footwear to its former glory. Keep reading for our top techniques:
- Make your mixture – While ready-made cleaning solutions exist on the market, they’re not essential for cleaning your kicks. Mixing warm water with a small amount of laundry detergent or washing-up liquid is sometimes all you need to break down grime.
- Tackle the exterior – Dip a rough cloth or brush into the soapy solution and clean the waterproof areas of the shoe (this could include rubber soles, plastic panels, and non-fabric logos). Scrub back and forth, making sure to remove as much dirt as possible.
- Now for the fabric – To clean fabric, mesh or canvas, dampen a soft cloth, sponge or toothbrush with your mixture and gently rub in small, circular motions – focusing on the areas which are especially grubby or stained.
- Rinse and repeat – Taking another clean cloth and some warm water, wipe over all the cleaned areas to ‘rinse’ the soap and leftover dirt. Shoes not yet gleaming? Repeat steps two and three to lift dirt from especially muddy parts.
- Let them air-dry – Pat away any excess water with a dry towel and let your shoes air-dry at room temperature. Avoid placing your newly clean beauties near to any heat sources or in direct sunlight to keep them in the best condition.
How to clean leather shoes
When removing dirt from leather, the process is more straight-forward than you think. So, don’t be afraid of rolling up your sleeves! We’d recommend investing in some specialist leather cleaner for the best results. If you can’t get your hands on a bottle, a drop of mild washing-up liquid with a small amount of water will do.
- Get prepped – Stuff your shoes with shoe trees or newspaper to smooth any creases in the leather for an even clean.
- Start with the soles – With a sponge, brush, or cloth dampened with a simple soap solution, scrub at and around the soles of your shoes to remove surface grime.
- Gently clean the leather upper – Dampen a soft cloth or brush with the soap solution and gently rub the leather upper in circular motions. Go easy on the water here as it can dry out and shrink the leather over time!
- Wipe the shoes clean – Remove remaining soap and moisture away using a clean, dry towel, and assess whether the leather needs another round. If so, repeat step three. If your leather shoes feel slightly damp, leave them to air-dry for a short while in a well-ventilated area.
- Condition, polish and buff – The next stage is treating the leather with a renovating shoe cream or dubbin, which will nourish and protect it. Dab this onto the shoes using a clean, soft cloth (or an old t-shirt) and buff into the leather.
How to clean nubuck leather shoes
A strong and durable type of leather, nubuck typically requires dedicated cleaning products, such as a nubuck brush, cloth and eraser. To tackle any stains on your shoes, use a nubuck brush or cloth and try to wipe off the stain. If this doesn’t work, dab some specialist cleaner onto the stain with a cloth, and once completely dry, brush the exterior to bring the material back to life.
How to clean patent leather shoes
To clean patent leather, coated leather or PU, we recommend using a good-quality patent restorer. Apply it sparingly with a clean brush to help repair any scratches and give added protection. A shine sponge will quickly mask small scuffs and scrapes on the go – perfect when the kids have damaged their school shoes just weeks into the new term!
For more handy tips on how to care for leather shoes, our complete polishing guide shares everything you need to know.
How to clean satin shoes
When it comes to cleaning satin shoes, the idea can seem a little scary with such a seemingly delicate material. However, the steps are like those for cleaning fabric and leather – you just have to take extra care and follow the small changes below:
- Dab with cold water – Dip a soft cloth into some cool water and gently press down onto any stains.
- For trickier dirt – Mix some mild soap or detergent in a bowl of cold water, and then proceed by wetting your cloth and gently brushing the satin.
- Leave to dry – Allow your shoes to air-dry naturally and without heat.
How to clean smelly shoes
If you’re looking to remove unwanted odour from inside your footwear, we’re here to help! Try one of our handy hacks to leave your shoes smelling brand new:
- Leave your shoes to breathe: When you take your shoes off, loosen the laces and open the shoes up to let air into help reduce moisture build-up inside.
- Baking soda: Sprinkle some baking soda into your shoes. Once they’ve been left for a few hours (or overnight), shake out the excess.
- Cedar shoe trees: Cedar wood works to absorb the moisture and bacteria which contributes to shoe odour.
- Dryer sheets: Placing a dryer sheet inside your shoe will help to neutralise any smells, as well as leave a lovely scent behind.
- Tea bags: Take advantage of used tea bags. Once dry, put them inside your shoes for a few hours.
- Keep your feet clean and dry: Probably the most important preventative tip is to make sure your feet are always clean and dry before putting your shoes on.
If you’ve tried one of our household hacks and your kicks are still smelling less than fresh, it may be time for us to teach you how to clean the inside of shoes. The insoles are usually a good place to start; it’s these that are in contact with the sweaty soles of your feet the most, hence why they can harbour the most bacteria. Simply follow the same formula as above to clean them: using a soapy solution and scrubbing gently with a soft brush to remove any discolouring or stains. Be wary if your insoles are leather though, and don’t get them too wet – just use a slightly damp cloth and soap to dab clean.
For more ideas and expert advice on preventing shoes from smelling, our dedicated blog post has plenty.
How to clean shoes in the washing machine
Though it’s very tempting to wash your shoes in the washing machine, we warn against this method as it can spoil the fabric and silhouette of your shoes.
Synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon are more hard-wearing and could withstand a cycle in the machine, but we wouldn’t recommend taking the risk with your favourite footwear!
How to clean shoelaces
Now, you can turn your attention back to your lacklustre laces and, luckily for you, giving them a new lease of life is easy peasy!
- First, give your laces a quick rinse to remove loose dirt particles.
- For stained areas, gently dab on some mild laundry detergent, massage in gently with your fingers or an old toothbrush, and leave it to work its magic for a few minutes.
- Create a simple solution of washing-up liquid and warm water, before dunking in your laces and leaving them to soak for 10-20 minutes.
- Once soaked, rinse them with clean water and hang to air-dry, repeating the process if they aren’t already sparkling.
If you’re in a time crunch, you can also clean your laces in the washing machine. Follow steps one and two above, then place your laces into a mesh laundry bag or a knotted pillowcase to protect them during the wash and prevent tangling. Run a regular wash cycle and et-voila! Stick to air-drying again here.
If you’ve tried these techniques to no avail, why not treat yourself to a brand-new pair of laces? We won’t tell anyone! Or, for more information on how to clean white shoe laces, take a look at our guide, here.
How to get stubborn stains out of shoes
After a couple of rounds of cleaning your shoes following the above steps, they should be looking nearly as good as new. But, if unsightly stains are still ruining your favoured footwear, it’s time to take things up a notch. Luckily for you, there are a host of cupboard-dwelling ingredients that can remove the likes of grease, grass stains and general grime with just a dab. Here are some of our favourites:
- Washing detergent or dishwashing soap – Though we’ve mentioned these earlier for all-over cleaning, they’re also a saviour for grease stains. Dab on some uncoloured dish soap or laundry detergent and leave for 15 minutes. Rub the stain gently with a clean, damp cloth and wipe away any remaining soap.
- Shampoo – Not just great at cleaning your locks, but efficient at tackling stains too. If you’re wondering how to clean muddy shoes scorned with ground-in dirt, oily stains, or maybe even dog poop, dilute some mild shampoo in warm water and rub the suds lightly into the stain with a sponge or cloth. Remove leftover soap solution with a clean, damp cloth before leaving to air-dry.
- Baking soda – Knowing how to clean with shoes with baking soda can be very handy. Make a simple paste of baking soda and warm water, before gently scrubbing into the stained area with a toothbrush. Allow the paste to work its magic for a few minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth and let the shoes dry.
- Hydrogen peroxide – Sounds sciencey, but H2O2 is an ingredient adored for its cleaning properties. Grab some from your local supermarket or chemist and rub generously into grass or dirt stains. Let it sit for up to 30 minutes and wipe it away with a damp cloth. Then, (you know what to do) leave to air-dry.
- Baby powder – For fresh oil and grease stains on fabric or leather shoes, sprinkle talcum powder onto the stain and press firmly to soak up the moisture. Let the powder sit for a few hours before dusting it away with a soft brush.
- White vinegar – Though delicious on your chips, white vinegar is also dandy when it comes to removing stains – and especially handy for cleaning mould off shoes. Create a solution of two-parts white vinegar mixed with one-part warm water. Use an old toothbrush to scrub at stained areas, and then remove the vinegar solution from the surface with a damp cloth.
- Lemon juice – Squeeze the juice of a lemon directly onto yellowed or stained areas, before gently rubbing until the stains lift. Again, wipe with a damp cloth and enjoy your clean kicks.
FAQs
Will baking soda and water clean canvas shoes?
If you’re looking to tackle light stains, dirt or odour on canvas shoes, baking soda and water can an effective solution. Make sure to use a 1:1 ratio to create a paste to tackle the stains, along with a cloth to cover the problem areas evenly. Wipe away after a few minutes and leave to air-dry.
What household items can you use to clean nubuck shoes?
Cleaning nubuck shoes can be tricky due to the soft and sensitive nature of the material, so we’d always recommend opting for a specialist nubuck cleaner. However, if you’re in a pinch and only have household items to hand, there are a couple of hacks you can use with caution:
- A mixture of white vinegar with an equal amount of water can help gently remove some stains.
- A pencil rubber for light scuff marks.
- Unscented and alcohol-free wipes can be used very gently to clean minor dirt or new stains.
The effectiveness of these home hacks may vary depending on the dirt or stains, so always make sure to test on a small part of the shoe first.
Can you put satin shoes in the washing machine?
Due to the delicate nature of satin, it’s usually recommended to avoid putting satin shoes in the washing machine. Instead, rely on our handwashing instructions listed above for a safe and reliable clean.
Do you need to clean the inside of your shoes?
Cleaning the inside of your shoes isn’t a necessary step, but you may choose to do this to help prevent or reduce any unwanted odours.
Can shoes be put in the dryer?
To answer simply, no. Putting shoes in the dryer can damage your footwear as well as the machine itself. We’d highly recommend leaving shoes out to air–dry for the best results.
We hope our complete guide to cleaning shoes makes keeping your kicks in top condition that little bit easier. Read more cleaning tips and advice on our blog, including how to clean trainers, suede shoes and more.
Our range of shoe care kits and products is on hand to make sure your shoes look their best, no matter what the weather throws at them. Shoes past the point of no return? Shop our selection of affordable footwear for men, women, and kids (we won’t tell anyone!).
