Spring Cleaning for Your Shoes
Spring is here, making it the perfect time to give your shoes a refresh. Regular maintenance of your shoes can help them last longer, perform better, keep everything more hygienic, and look better too! Each shoe material has its own cleaning routine, which can be a little daunting to even the most seasoned cleaners. Our guide has tips for every material, so that you can easily tackle the care and cleaning of your shoes.
General Tips & Tricks
- Remove your shoelaces and insoles before washing. Both have their own cleaning routine, plus separating allows each part of your shoes to be washed thoroughly and dried effectively.
- Wipe down dirt and debris using a dry cloth before getting the shoes wet. This will make spot cleaning easier and help prevent excess dirt from being rubbed in while washing.
- Don't put shoes in the washer. Although it’s tempting, very few shoes can safely be put in the washer without damage. Handwashing is safer and will consistently maintain the integrity of your shoes.
- Never put shoes in the dryer. This will damage the materials and adhesives, causing your shoes to quickly degrade. Always air-dry your shoes for integrity.
Canvas Shoes
- Hand wash with a mild cleaning solution, like mild laundry detergent or dish soap.
- For white shoes use a mixture of equal parts baking soda and water so that no discoloration or staining happens.
- Pat dry excess water.
- Stuff the inside of your shoes with paper towels to help maintain their shape, then air dry. This will take about 8 hours or overnight.
Leather Shoes
- Same care as above up through washing.
- After using the soap solution, wipe down your shoes with a damp paper towel to clean off the soap and other residue.
- Buff your shoes with a dry, clean cloth.
- Air dry.
- Do not dry outdoors or in intense, direct heat or sunlight as this can cause fading and shrinking.
- Once dry coat with a leather polish. Find our recommended leather polish and other shoe care products here.
- If your shoes are made of vegan leather use baby oil or coconut oil instead.
Cleaning Cork
- Same care steps as Canvas Shoes.
- Apply a cork sealant once dry.
Suede Shoes
- Do not wash suede directly with water or a damp cloth, as this will lose the integrity of the material.
- For New Stains: Blot, don’t rub, with a clean paper towel, then sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let sit overnight.
- For Old Stains: Brush the stain with a suede brush or a toothbrush, always following the direction of the fibers. If the stain persists, use a suede cleaning solution.
- For General Maintenance: Brush with a suede brush or toothbrush in the direction of the fibers, no back-and-forth or circular motions.
- If you used a suede cleaner beforehand, don't brush unless completely dried.
- If an area is matted, apply a low level of steam to the area before brushing. You can use a garment steamer or even a tea kettle to accomplish this.
- Apply a suede protector.
Shoelaces
Shoelaces can be cleaned in the washer if placed inside a mesh bag beforehand and cold water is used. Shoelaces cannot be put in a dryer but can be air-dried. To help maintain their shape and dry efficiently, it’s best to lay them flat to dry.
- Handwash your shoelaces
- Soak in warm soapy water.
- Scrub stubborn stains with a mixture of equal parts baking soda/water using a toothbrush.
- Rinse.
- Lay flat to air-dry.
- Replace if needed.
Insoles
Leave insoles out to dry for a quick refresh. You can sprinkle baking soda on them beforehand to help remove bacteria and odors.
If further cleaning is needed
Some insoles can be cleaned in a washer if placed inside a mesh bag beforehand and cold water is used.
For handwashing
- Scrub with a mixture of equal parts baking soda/water using a toothbrush.
- Rinse in cold water.
- Air dry.
- Replace if needed.
Keeping your shoes clean can help maintain their integrity longer and look better doing it! Semi-regular cleanings, depending on wear, are recommended for the best results. This spring, try cleaning your cold weather shoes before storing them or give your warm weather shoes a refresh before pulling them out!
Find all our shoe care products, from sealants to brushes and more, here.
Got shoes that need more than a cleanup? Our sister store in Eugene offers expert Shoe Repair Services to help extend the life of your favorite pair!
