Imagine buying a new pair of pumps or stilettos or that limited edition sneakers you’ve been eyeing, only to have them get dirty in less than a week. We’ve all been there. There’s really only one way to keep them looking fresh – regular upkeep and the right cleaning techniques. If you've invested in quality footwear, then you must be well aware of the fact that dry-cleaning those babies don't come cheap.
The best way to clean footwear depends on the material. Most footwear can be cleaned using a solution of mild dish soap and water, but certain types of shoes, including mesh sneakers and suede shoes, require special care to avoid damaging the material. Follow these simple DIY solutions on how to use simple household items while giving your trusted kicks some much needed TLC.
Things To Keep In Mind While Caring For Footwear:
• Wiping for dirt every time you put your shoes away will help prevent build-up and save you some serious headaches along the way. Remove any visible and loose dirt with a clean soft towel.
• Always rinse off the soles or wipe clean with a damp cloth after every use or once after two uses
• Before you begin cleaning shoes of any material, it's a good idea to insert shoe trees or stuff the interiors with newspaper to help the shoes maintain their shape and create a barrier against any moisture that seeps through while cleaning.
• Never clean shoes in the washing machine, as the prolonged soaking and agitation can loosen the glue that binds them together or cause other damage.
• To remove bad odour from shoes, create DIY sachets—use some ground coffee and enclose it in a packet. This packet can be placed in the shoe while storing to remove bad odour from them.
Fabric Shoes: Knit, Cotton, And Satin
• Wipe down the fabric with a dry paper towel to remove any loose surface soil.
• In a small bowl, mix one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in two cups of warm water.
• Working on a small section at a time, dip the toothbrush in the soapy solution and lightly scrub the fabric. Do not over-wet.
• Work with the grain of the fabric, moving all around the shoe to keep the colour consistent and prevent spotting.
• To remove any soapy residue, wipe the entire shoe with a paper towel moistened with clear water.
• Blot with a dry paper towel and allow the shoes to air dry away from direct heat and sunlight.
• If the stains are still giving you a hard time, add some liquid soap on the moist towel and dab again. After the cleaning process is complete, use a dry towel to soak away excess water and moisture from the fabric.
Suede, Velvet, NuBuck
The key to keeping suede or any napped surface shoe looking its best is regular care.
• Keep surfaces as dry as possible
• Clean with a soft-bristled brush after every wearing to remove loose dust and soil.
• In case of marks and scuffs - gently rub with a pencil eraser and then brush to restore the nap on the surface.
• For oily stains - sprinkle the area with baby powder or corn starch to absorb the oil. Let the powder sit on the stain for at least an hour and then brush away. Repeat until all of the oil is absorbed and then brush
• In case of wet stains, blot with a paper towel or cloth to absorb moisture. Allow the shoes to air dry completely away from direct heat. Brush to smooth the surface/nap.
Leather, Patent Leather, And Faux Leather Shoes
• Start by wiping off any dirt with a cloth dipped in a solution of equal parts cool water and distilled white vinegar and then allow the shoes to air dry completely.
• For scuffs (mark made by scrapping or grazing) on real leather shoes, use a commercial polish and simply follow the directions. If you don't have a polish that matches the colour of your shoe, wet a soft cloth with water and dip it in a bit of baking soda. Gently rub the scuffed area and wipe away the residue with a clean cloth. Allow to dry and then buff again with a clean cloth.
• For scuffs on patent leather and faux leather shoes, rub the marks with a dab of petroleum jelly and buff with a soft cloth. Restore the shine with a spritz of ammonia- and alcohol-free glass cleaner and buff with a soft cloth.
Shoes With Rope And Cork Wedges
• Mix a solution of four cups of warm water, one-fourth cup distilled white vinegar, and one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent.
• Work in a small area at a time and use an old toothbrush or cloth to clean the surfaces. For rope soles, work in only one direction to keep the rope from fraying.
• When everything is clean, wipe down with a cloth dipped in plain water to rinse away soapy residue and allow the shoes to air dry, keeping them away from direct sunlight
White Shoes
• Start by following the cleaning instructions for the shoe's material.
• If stains or grime remain, try mixing baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste, apply it to the shoe, gently scrub, and let dry.
• Brush off as much residue as possible, then wipe with a damp cloth.
• For white shoes made of canvas or mesh, use a bleach pen to spot-treat stubborn stains.