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Shoes are an essential part of your attire any time you step outside your home. But as soon as you step outside, your shoes are exposed to dirt. They can be easily stained or scuffed. And if they are a favorite pair, they can collect odors quickly. In order to keep your shoes in top condition, you need to know how to clean dirty shoes.
The cleaner you can keep your shoes, the longer they will last. But, the best way to clean shoes can vary wildly depending on the materials and the type of shoe. We’re here to help you learn how to clean shoes at home. You might be concerned that it takes too long, but you can actually clean your shoes fairly quickly and keep your favorite shoes lasting longer. We’ll show you how to walk out of the house with confidence in your favorite shoes, clean and comfortable.
How to Clean Athleatic Shoes
Most people can get their sneakers dirty pretty quickly. You use them to exercise or run errands. They are many people’s most worn shoes. So, it makes sense that they get dirty fairly quickly and need to be cleaned regularly.
The first step to cleaning your athletic shoes is to remove the inner sole and laces. Then put them in a mesh bag and wash them in the washing machine (hint: you can wash the laces separately). Try to wipe away excess dirt before putting them in the laundry machine and spot treat them like you would any other type of laundry.
Use your regular laundry detergent to wash your sneakers in cold water. Then, sprinkle the insoles with baking soda to remove any odors. Once the shoes are finished in the washing machine, let them air dry and wipe any residual dirt from the soles. Put the lace and insoles back in your shoes, and now you can wear your most comfortable shoes as if they were new.
How to Clean Fabric Shoes
Most shoes are a fabric-based material. Whether it is dress shoes, flats, sandals, oxfords, or your house slippers, all fabric shoes tend to attract dirt. And for the ones you don’t wear as often, they tend to attract dust. Here’s how to clean dusty shoes and fabric shoes.
Never put fabric shoes in the washing machine. Most are made with glue, and will not withstand the turbulence of the washing machine. Instead, you’ll need to clean fabric shoes by hand. But, all you need is some dishwasher detergent mixed with warm water and an unused toothbrush.
First, use a paper towel to wipe down any dust or dirt that is loose on the shoes. Then, use a mixture of one teaspoon of dishwasher soap to two cups of warm water. Lightly scrub the fabric with the toothbrush that has some of the dishwasher solution on it making sure to not get the fabric too wet. Scrub away any stains, dirt, or dust.
If the fabric has a certain direction for the grain, scrub your brush with the grain, not against it. Don’t use this method for velvet fabric shoes. Once you have cleaned the shoes, wipe away the soap. Then, stuff the shoes with extra paper towels so that they keep their shape while they dry.
How to Clean Sandals
Sandals can get dirty pretty easily because most people don’t wear socks with sandals. If you’d like to make your sandals last longer, here are some easy ways to wash them.
For rubber flip flops, rinse them with warm water and sprinkle the insole with baking soda. Let them sit for five minutes, and then scrub off the baking soda with a toothbrush. You’ll need to rinse them again to remove any remaining baking soda.
If you have nice leather sandals, you’ll need to have saddle soap and apply it with a damp cloth. Leave it on there for a few minutes, then dry buff the saddle soap with a clean cloth.
How to Clean Suede Shoes
When many people need to clean their suede shoes, they can feel overwhelmed at the thought. But we want to make it simple for you. Here’s how you do it.
Use a suede brush or clean toothbrush to gently brush off any dirt, going with the grain of the leather. The best way to remove scuff marks is to take a pencil eraser and gently rub the marks out. If there is a stain that is harder to remove, take a piece of flannel and add a bit of white vinegar to it. Then, lightly scrub the stain with the grain to work it out of the material. Make sure you don’t use water with suede because it can cause damage to the texture.
One of the best ways to prevent your suede shoes from getting dirty in the first place is to use a silicone spray before you ever wear them outside. Using this type of product helps protect the suede from dirt and stains and will help your shoes last much longer.
Super Clean 360 Weekly House Cleaning
aking care of your shoes is only one area of your life that requires your time and attention to keep things clean. We know that it can take too much time away from other important areas of your life to engage in weekly house cleaning.
That’s why at Super Clean 360, we have been providing professional house cleaning services in Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, and the surrounding areas since 2012. Our professional cleaners are bonded and insured, and we strive to earn your trust by offering transparent pricing with no hidden fees and maintaining honest and open communication. We offer many different types of house cleaning services:
- Deep House Cleaning Services
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- New Construction House Cleaning
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Let Us Free Up Your Time With Super Clean 360!
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