How to Clean Your Shoes and Shoelaces
You invested a pretty penny in those shoes of yours. You’ve broken them in, worn them on your daily runs, hiked to beautiful spots, upgraded your laces, slipped them on for Saturdays in the park and worn them to walk the dog before sunrise. Now they’re filthy and smelly … but you can’t bear to pitch them just yet.
Fortunately, most of today’s shoe manufacturers make their products strong enough to stand up to whatever you throw their way, and that includes a good cleaning now and then.
How important is it to clean your shoes? Very, actually, and the sooner the better — because, well, germs will take over otherwise.
Start on the Right Foot
The best way to clean shoes is to start before ever putting them on your feet. Invest in protective sprays or wipes. For fabric, try a pretreating spray for fabric that repels stains and splashes.
For leather, you’ll want to purchase a kit that contains a cleaner, a conditioner, polish and a silicone-based waterproofing spray or wax to protect the look of the leather from being damaged by water and stains.
Suede and nubuck stain even more easily, so applying a suede protector is even more important. Let shoes air dry for 24 hours before wearing them, taking care not to dry in direct sun.
Shoe Cleaning Supplies
You should probably have a few supplies on hand when you’re ready to clean a pair of shoes or your shoelaces, so you’re prepared to clean a tough stain or remove stuck-on dirt right away, before it sets.
A shoe brush, a toothbrush, a nonabrasive cloth, a sponge, a spot remover, leather cleaner, household natural cleaners, a mesh drawstring bag, anti-grease soap, heavy-duty laundry detergent, fabric softener sheets and newspaper can all be useful parts of a shoe-cleaning kit.
How to Wash Shoelaces
Your shoelaces are often the dirtiest part of your shoes. They drag on the ground, get splashed and spattered with muck and germs and then spread the germs and muck to our hands when we tie them.
The best way to clean washable shoelaces is to brush off loose dirt, place them inside a mesh bag or tied pillowcase, wash them in a regular laundry cycle and air dry them. Don’t put them in the dryer, as this can damage the plastic tips or shrink the laces.
How to Clean Athletic Shoes
Most athletic shoes contain insoles or sock liners that can be removed — take these out before you begin cleaning and let them air out. The best way to wash shoes is by hand because it’s safest for the fabric and won’t damage the trim.
Let shoes air dry away from direct sunlight and direct heat, with crumpled newspaper or paper towels inside to help them retain their shape.
How to Clean Canvas Shoes
Never bleach your canvas shoes — it will definitely cause yellowing, and it could damage the fabric. Remove the laces, brush away loose dirt, then gently clean the canvas with warm soapy water and rinse until all soap is gone.
How to Clean Leather Shoes
Leather needs careful cleaning. Remove debris from the soles, use a damp cloth to wipe the upper, then apply leather cleaner gently in a circular motion. Let the shoe air dry and use conditioner to protect the leather.
How to Clean Suede Shoes
Suede or nubuck shoes should be completely dry before cleaning. Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush in the direction of the fibers, use a suede eraser for scuffs, and let the shoes dry in a cool, ventilated area away from direct heat sources or sunlight.
