How to Clean Shoes with a Toothbrush

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You’ve picked out the perfect outfit, but there’s only one problem: your shoes are filthy. If you’ve heard you can scrub your shoes with a toothbrush but you aren’t sure how, just create a detergent mixture for canvas and mesh shoes, a bleach mixture for white ones, or scrub out the dirt from your soles, and leave your footwear sparkling clean.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Scrubbing the Soles of Your Shoes

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    Your shoes might have large clumps of dirt or dust that can be washed away with water. Wipe off any large clumps of dirt or debris with a wet cloth or paper towel. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Shoes with a Toothbrush
    Create your mixture in a container that you don’t mind getting soapy, like a plastic bowl or Tupperware container. Use a mild laundry detergent without bleach. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Shoes with a Toothbrush
    You can use this mixture on the entire bottom sole of your shoe. Firmly scrub the soles with the toothbrush, focusing extra attention on really dirty areas. Dip the toothbrush in the water mixture over and over as the toothbrush gets dirty. [3]

    Warning: If your shoes are leather, do not get any detergent on the outside of your shoes. Detergent damages leather.

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    Use a clean rag to wipe the bottoms of your shoes off. Make sure they are totally dry before you put them back on, or they could cause you to slip. [4]
    • You can air dry your shoes overnight if you have time.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Canvas and Mesh Shoes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Shoes with a Toothbrush
    Use the laundry detergent that you already have in your home. Mix the detergent and water together in a container that you don’t mind getting soapy, like a mixing bowl or Tupperware container. [5]
    • Use a mild laundry detergent that doesn’t contain bleach.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Shoes with a Toothbrush
    Saturate the toothbrush in your water/detergent mixture and use it to scrub the dirty parts of your shoes. Use the bristles to firmly scrub away dirt in a circular motion. You can use your mixture on every part of the shoe. [6]

    Tip: Pay special attention to the toes of your shoes, because these usually get the dirtiest.

  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Shoes with a Toothbrush
    Wet a clean sponge with cool water and wipe off any areas that you used your detergent mixture. Make sure there isn’t any soap left on your shoes. [7]
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    Leave your shoes out in the sun or a cool dry place to dry in order to prevent mildew. Make sure they are fully dry before you wear them again or store them. [8]
    • Drying your shoes in a dryer could cause them to shrink or warp.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Bleach on White Sneakers

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Shoes with a Toothbrush
    To use bleach on white sneakers, you need to dilute it so that it doesn’t discolor your shoes. Mix bleach and water together in a plastic bowl that you don’t mind getting bleach on. [9]
    • Wear gloves to protect your hands during this process.
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    If your sneakers are all white, you don’t have to worry about discoloring any areas of your shoes. Use your toothbrush to firmly scrub the areas that are the dirtiest, and then give a once-over to your entire shoe. [10]
    • If your shoes are not all white, do not use bleach on them. You could discolor the colored areas of your shoe.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Shoes with a Toothbrush
    Wash the bleach off of your shoes so that they are safe to wear by running them under warm water in your sink or tub. Make sure to rinse them thoroughly so that no bleach is left on your shoes. [11]
    • You can safely rinse bleach down your drain, as long as you don’t pour ammonia down it right afterwards. When ammonia and bleach mix, they create a dangerous gas that can knock you unconscious.
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    Set your shoes on a towel in the sun or a cool, dry area of your home to air dry. Leave them for a few hours or even overnight until they are no longer wet to the touch. [12]
    • Storing wet shoes could lead to mildew.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why would I clean the soles with a toothbrush?
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    The bristles are strong and it's easy to get the small bristles inside the grooves of soles. A toothbrush is actually a near-perfect tool for the job!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    What can I do if my toothbrush is too soft?
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Cut the hairs in half! Just grab some scissors and cut the bristles down halfway so that they're super short. That way, they'll feel a lot stiffer and stronger.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
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      Warnings

      • Do not use laundry detergent to clean leather or suede shoes. The detergent will damage and discolor your shoes.
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      Things You'll Need

      Scrubbing the Soles of Your Shoes

      • Cloth or towel
      • Laundry detergent
      • Plastic bowl
      • Toothbrush

      Cleaning Canvas and Mesh Shoes

      • Cloth or towel
      • Laundry detergent
      • Plastic bowl
      • Toothbrush

      Using Bleach on White Sneakers

      • Bleach
      • Plastic bowl
      • Toothbrush
      • Cloth or towel

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5l901bMIXM&feature=youtu.be&t=23
      2. ↑ https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/how-to-clean-shoes/#targetText=Running%20shoes&targetText=Get%20loose%20dirt%20off%20with,it%20on%20foam%20or%20leather .
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbRBNAfMdMQ&feature=youtu.be&t=40
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbRBNAfMdMQ&feature=youtu.be&t=44
      5. ↑ https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/how-to-clean-shoes/#targetText=Running%20shoes&targetText=Get%20loose%20dirt%20off%20with,it%20on%20foam%20or%20leather .
      6. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-clean-white-mesh-shoes/slide4
      7. ↑ https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/how-to-clean-shoes/#targetText=Running%20shoes&targetText=Get%20loose%20dirt%20off%20with,it%20on%20foam%20or%20leather .
      8. ↑ https://thewiredrunner.com/how-to-dry-running-shoes-without-ruining-them/
      9. ↑ https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/how-to-clean-shoes/#targetText=Running%20shoes&targetText=Get%20loose%20dirt%20off%20with,it%20on%20foam%20or%20leather .
      1. ↑ https://www.womansworld.com/posts/how-to-clean-white-shoes-131840
      2. ↑ https://www.womansworld.com/posts/how-to-clean-white-shoes-131840
      3. ↑ https://thewiredrunner.com/how-to-dry-running-shoes-without-ruining-them/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      You can use a toothbrush to clean the soles on any pair of shoes, and you can use it to clean the body of your shoes if they're made out of canvas or mesh. To clean the soles on your shoes, first wipe off any large pieces of dirt with a cloth. Then, mix 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent with 1 cup of water, dip a toothbrush in the mixture, and scrub your soles until they're clean. Wipe off the soles with a towel when you're all done. To clean the body of your shoes, dip the toothbrush in the soapy water and scrub any dirty areas on your shoes with it. Once they're clean, go over them with a damp sponge to get rid of any soapy residue. Let your shoes air dry, and you're good to go. To learn how to use bleach to get your white shoes looking brand new again, scroll down!

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