Q&A for How to Clean Dirty Shoes

Every type of shoe requires different maintenance, depending on the material. But you can regularly do brushing, cleaning, conditioning, and waterproofing to keep the shoes longer.

For suede, you can try cleaning with suede gum. For leather, a magic block or thinner can remove the marker. You'll probably need to touch up the shoes afterwards, because the stain will be removed along with original color of leather.

Use suede gum or soft sandpaper to remove the stain and use suede cleaner with a suede cleaning brush or toothbrush to rub the surface. Remove the soap foam with wet towels. After drying, brush the nap of the leather with a suede brush. If the footbed is too old or too damaged, then it’s better to replace the lining entirely.

You can try to use something as simple as a damp paper towel if it is a small dirt mark. If it is a stubborn scuff mark, you can use a "Mr. Clean"-type sponge that usually gets scuffs off of things such as walls.

Brush off any dried stains with a soft brush. Make a paste of one part baking soda and one part vinegar in a bowl. Apply the paste to the stain on the mesh part of the shoe with a paper towel. Wet a paper towel and rinse off the paste completely. Blot dry with a paper towel to absorb excess water.

Usually, a spin in the washer will do the trick. Set it on delicate and put a decent amount of water in, just enough so the shoes are floating.