How to Clean Your Shoes: Step by Step Guide

It’s hard to keep your shoes spotless without cleaning them regularly. The moment those new tennis shoes come out from the box, and you wear them outside, they are bound to get walked on dirt and mud, and get scrapes and stains.

To ensure that your favourite pair of shoes is in the best condition over the long run, proper care and shoe maintenance, including cleaning, is essential. Before you get everything rolling to clean your shoes, place your shoes in a shoe tree or fill the insides with papers to assist with holding them during cleaning.

In this guide, we will understand how to clean tennis shoes and other shoes; that complete your attire aestheticaly and functionally. These tips will help you keep any sneakers, sports, or running shoes new and clean at all times.

A) How to Clean Your Shoes: Step-by-Step Guide

Shoes require a nice clean once in a while for them to endure for a longer period of time. Clean and give them a little air to breathe periodically, or else they might begin to fall to pieces and stink.

Depending on the material of the shoe, each shoe would require different treatment and care; right from general cleaning to removing stains. As such, below are a few ways to clean your shoes. These simple and quick shoe care tips can help improve the longevity and shine of your favourite shoes.

1. Use a dry brush:

Get rid of loose soil from the outsole, padded sole, and uppers utilizing a dry, soft-bristled shoe brush. No shoe brush? Don’t worry, an old toothbrush works out great too. Try this today!

2. Make a mild cleaning solution:

Blend warm water with good quality, gentle clothing cleanser or dish cleanser. For white and lighter-hue shoes, you can also make an effective cleaning glue by blending baking soda and water.

3. Hand wash laces:

Take off the shoestrings and apply a small quantity of gentle cleaning solution to them. Massage the laces gradually with your hands, rinse and spot dry them with a soft cloth.

4. Wash the soles:

Apply a gentle solution to a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or a wash material. Clean the outsole and padded sole completely, taking as much time as is needed to clean every part of the soles. Dry with a soft cloth.

Note: If you want to wash your insoles, remove them first and clean them with the solution. Makes sure to let them dry before putting them back into the shoes.

5. Wash and blot the uppers:

Use a mild solution along with a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush, or a delicate soft damp cloth to clean the uppers. Take as much time as necessary, and don’t brush them excessively hard.

When you’re quite satisfied and happy with the look, use a dry microfiber towel or soft cloth to blot and lift as much lathery dampness and dirt as you can. Repeat the entire process if needed. Avoid trying to dry the shoes by rubbing, as it can wear out the shoe fabric or spread any remaining dirt into the shoes.

6. Air Dry:

Air dry your shoes at room temperature. Always let your shoes dry completely before wearing them for your next exercise or activity to prevent it from stinking. For most shoes, it should not take more than a few hours to dry completely.

B) Special Considerations for Different Types of Shoes

Following the below essential cleaning steps will guarantee clean shoes. These shoe care tips are ideal for synthetic leather shoes, suede shoes, and casual knit shoes.

Note: Certain shoe fabrics and materials might require additional TLC (tender loving care), so always check for the cleaning instructions for better results.

1. How to Clean Synthetic Leather Shoes

Leather shoes are known to stain quickly, so it’s critical to clean them consistently. As well as utilizing a dry brush and gentle dish cleanser solution, you might need to use a Magic Eraser or leather conditioner to remove stains. Try not to clean the shoes excessively hard, or you could harm the leather.

2. How to Clean Suede Shoes

Suede is quite challenging to clean. If you happen to notice water marks, scrape marks, soil or stains, it’s most likely time to give your suede shoes a proper and thorough cleaning. Use these shoe cleaning methods and exceptional tools to take care of it.

1. Use a Suede brush or towel to wipe away surface debris, working in a similar direction as the material than rubbing against the grain.
2. Use Suede rubber (or a pencil eraser) to rub away any marks on the outer layer of the shoe.
3. For stubborn stains, follow appropriate shoe care tips, such as cloth dipped in white vinegar to scrub the fabric in alternating directions, or maybe use a great shoe stain remover.

3. How to Clean Knit Shoes

Knit shoes fabric is sensitive and requires care while using the cleaner. But, how do you get your pair of knit shoes cleaned? Well, let us help you with that.

1. Make a gentle, foamy water solution with a cleanser that doesn’t contain synthetics.
2. Take a clean cloth and rub the solution in the same direction as the knit.

*Never use bleach or other harsh cleaning products since they can harm the material, damaging your shoes.

4. How to Clean Tennis Shoes

Tennis shoes endure significant wear, but regular cleaning keeps them in excellent shape.

1. Start by removing loose dirt with a dry brush.
2. Then, prepare a mild soap solution and use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the shoes.
3. Rinse gently with clean water and air-dry completely.

Following these shoe cleaning methods can extend the life of your tennis shoes.

5. How to Clean White Shoes

White footwear can easily get damaged if not taken care of properly, and it also requires extra attention and care to maintain its new look.

1. Start by brushing off excess dust and dirt for maintenance.
2. Mix baking soda with either water or a soap solution as a mild cleaning solution that can be scrubbed using a toothbrush.
3. Use a damp cloth to clean away the soap and let it air dry.

Using these shoe care tips, you will learn how to clean white shoes without damaging their material.

FabriCare Shoe Laundry Service: How Can We Help?

FabriCare is a family-owned business offering laundry and dry cleaning services for private and business clients for quite a while now.

Get your shoes cleaned and unblemished by choosing professional shoe laundry services in Mumbai. Spotless shoes can help make a lasting impression in front of your clients or maybe even on your first date. Whatever the challenge with regards to the shoes, Fabricare can provide you with an ideal solution. They use gentle cleansers and solvents that are great for cleaning a wide range of shoes. Their shoe cleaning methods can help extend the life of your costly footwear. Hence, to protect them from wear and tear, give them a call today!