How to Clean Insoles

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The insoles of your shoes can get dirty over time, especially if you wear your shoes often. You may notice the insoles in your shoes have a bad smell or stains and dirt marks. You can clean insoles using warm water and soap or vinegar and water. You can also apply baking soda, dryer sheets, or shoe spray to the insoles. [1] Once the insoles are clean, maintain the insoles so they stay fresh.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Warm Water and Soap

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  1. You can also fill the sink with water. Use a few cups of water or just enough water to scrub and clean the insoles. [2]
  2. Put a few drops of liquid detergent in the water. You can also use liquid hand soap if you do not have detergent. [3]
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  3. You can also use a clean cloth to scrub the insoles. Gently scrub the insoles to remove dirt and stains. [4]
    • If the insoles are made of leather, use a cloth dipped in the water and soap to dab the insoles clean. Do not get the insoles too wet, as this could warp the leather.
  4. Once you have cleaned the insoles well, use a wet sponge or another clean cloth to remove any excess soap on the insoles.
  5. Put the insoles on a towel to dry overnight. You can also stack the insoles in a dish rack or clip them to a clothesline to dry them. [5]
    • Make sure the insoles are completely dry before you put them back in your shoes.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Disinfecting with Vinegar and Water

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  1. Vinegar is a good deodorizer for insoles, especially if they have a strong smell. It also kills bacteria and germs. Mix one part white distilled vinegar and one part warm water together in a large bowl or in the sink.
  2. Place the insoles in the vinegar and water mixture. Let the insoles soak in the mixture for at least three hours.
    • You can add essential oils like tea tree or pine oil to the mixture if the insoles really smell. Add a few drops of the essential oils to the mixture and let the insoles soak in the mixture.
  3. Once the insoles have soaked in the mixture, remove them and rinse them out under running water. Make sure you remove all of the vinegar-water mixture on the insoles.
  4. Place the insoles on a towel to dry overnight. You can also dry them by stacking them in a dish rack or by hanging them from a clothesline.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Applying Baking Soda, Dryer Sheets, and Shoe Spray

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  1. [6] Put one to two teaspoons of baking soda in a large plastic bag. Then, place the insoles in the bag and shake the bag. Make sure you get the baking soda all over the insoles. [7]
    • Let the insoles sit in the bag overnight. Then, take them out of the bag and use a clean cloth to wipe off any remaining baking soda on the insoles.
  2. Leave the insoles in the shoes. Then, cut a dryer sheet in two and place each piece in each shoe. Let the dryer sheet sit in the shoes overnight to remove odor in the shoe and the insole.
    • This is a good option if you are in a hurry to remove odor from the insoles and want a quick solution.
  3. [8] You can take the insoles out of your shoes to do this or spray them while they are still in your shoes. You can find shoe cleaning spray online or at your local shoe store.
    • Many shoe cleaning sprays have antibacterial properties. They will usually be quick drying and non-staining.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Maintaining the Insoles

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  1. Get in the habit of cleaning the insoles of your shoes once a week or twice a month. Clean the insoles of shoes you wear a lot so dirt and odor does not build up.
    • You may have a day once a month where you do a big clean of all of the insoles in your shoes.
  2. To reduce odor and dirt on your insoles, wear socks whenever you are wearing shoes with insoles. Socks will help to absorb sweat and dirt so they do not end up on your insoles.
    • You should also try to rotate your shoes so you do not wear the same pair all the time. This way, the insoles of one pair of shoes do not become too worn or start to smell.
  3. If you start to notice your insoles are getting worn out, replace them with new ones. Many shoes can fit new insoles that you buy online or at your local shoe store. Do this for shoes you wear often so the insoles are always good quality and clean.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What options do I have when purchasing shoe spray to disinfect my insoles?
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    There's a product called a SteriShoe that helps deodorize and sanitize shoes. If you don't have it, you can probably take your shoes over to your local shoe care person and they should certainly have some. If not, there's another really good product called Mycomist sanitizer. You just spray the inside of the shoe and that will help kill bacteria that has been growing in the shoe. If you don't have either of those, a quick fix would be simple Lysol antibacterial spray.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Using Warm Water and Soap

      • Water
      • Soap or liquid detergent
      • A brush or a cloth

      Using Vinegar and Water

      • White distilled vinegar
      • Water
      • Essential oils (optional)

      Applying Baking Soda, Dryer Sheets, or Shoe Spray

      • Baking soda
      • A plastic bag
      • Dryer sheets
      • Shoe cleaning spray

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      References

      1. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      2. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Wash-Insoles-/10000000208168105/g.html
      3. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Wash-Insoles-/10000000208168105/g.html
      4. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Wash-Insoles-/10000000208168105/g.html
      5. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Wash-Insoles-/10000000208168105/g.html
      6. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      7. ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Wash-Insoles-/10000000208168105/g.html
      8. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If the insoles of your shoes are dirty, have a bad smell, or are stained, you can clean them with water and soap. First, fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of soap or liquid detergent. Put your insoles into the solution and use a soft brush or cloth to gently scrub them. Once you’ve cleaned the insoles, use a wet sponge or a new cloth to remove any excess soap. Let the insoles dry overnight before putting them back in your shoes. You can also clean your insoles using vinegar and water. First, mix equal parts vinegar and water and soak your insoles in the solution for 3 hours. When they’re done, rinse them off under running water and let them dry overnight. To learn how to use dryer sheets to reduce the odor of your insoles, keep reading!

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