How To Clean Shoes – Six Easy Ways
Shoes should not be confined to the classy polish we all use to keep them clean. There are many other methods you can use, regardless of the material they are made of, in order to prolong the life of a pair of shoes. Here is how to clean chose by turning to a few simple tricks that have accessible ingredients at their core. The tricks come via Rd.com
For leather shoes, clean off debris by wiping a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar over the stains. Once your shoes are dry, rub them with a soft cloth. Buff scuffs away with a wet cloth dipped into baking soda. Wipe your shoes off, then buff them once more after they’ve dried.
If your patent leather flats or heels have unsightly marks, rub some petroleum jelly into the scuff using a cotton swab. If all they need is a little shining, spritz on some glass cleaner for a like-new sheen.
Here is how to clean the suede shoes: working in one direction, use a nailbrush or scrub brush to gently buff stains away. Once you’ve gotten the surface dirt off, add pressure and go back and forth with the brush to work at the deep stains. If necessary, follow up by scrubbing hard with a white eraser. You can also use a nail file. For truly stubborn stains, use a white washcloth to rub white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to attack the spot, or use it all over to brighten the suede.
Start by wiping dirt off canvas slip-ons and sneakers with a clean toothbrush. Then use that toothbrush to scrub a paste made of equal parts baking soda and water into shoe’s soles. Next, run the gentle cycle of your washing machine with cold water, adding about half the amount of detergent you’d typically use when the machine is about half full. When it’s three-quarters full, toss your shoes in. Let them air dry—using the dryer or a vent could shrink your shoes.
For the running shoes, get loose dirt off with a toothbrush, then clean your brush. Dip it into a teaspoon of laundry detergent mixed with a cup of water. Use the solution on the fabric, mesh, and rubber areas, but don’t use it on foam or leather. Use a wet sponge to wipe the suds off.
As far as the cork wedges are concerned, start by mixing a gallon of warm water with ½ cup of white vinegar and several drops of dish detergent for 30 seconds. Wipe the whole shoe down with the solution, then dip your cloth back in and focus on the cork, using little circles to scrub. Once you’ve worked through all the grime, wipe the wedge with a clean cloth.
