How to Get Dirt Out of Shoes so They Look Brand New

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The best ways to clean canvas, leather, suede, & vinyl shoes
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Everyone’s shoes get dirty at some point or another. Taking the time to clean your shoes according to their construction materials will not only have you looking your best, but it can also extend the life of your shoes!

Washing Dirty Shoes

  1. Scrub off dirt and debris with a dry toothbrush.
  2. Wipe down canvas shoes with detergent.
  3. Clean off leather shoes with a damp cloth.
  4. Remove dirt from suede shoes with a rubber eraser.
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Cleaning White Shoes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Wipe the shoes down with a damp cloth every few days. If you get stains, squeeze a little bit of shoe cleaner made especially for white shoes or white toothpaste onto the shoes and then rub gently with a wet cloth. Use a clean, dry towel to wipe the shoe clean. [1]
  2. Test a patch of the cleaner in an inconspicuous area of the shoe. If it doesn’t adversely affect the material or color of the shoe, use a shoe brush to gently scrub the shoes with detergent. Rinse thoroughly and then submerge in hot water with a drop of bleach and airy dry.
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  3. After removing any excess dirt with a toothbrush, toss them in the machine with a splash of detergent on the hot water cycle. Make sure you remove the laces before washing. Avoid bleach as it can cause synthetic fibers to yellow.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Cleaning Canvas Shoes

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  1. Use an old toothbrush or a small shoe brush and gently stroke the dirt or debris that is adhered to the shoe. Use just enough pressure to weaken the dirt’s bond to the shoe. This will loosen and remove the debris or dirt. [2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Getting the soles of your canvas shoes clean can be tough, so make a paste using equal parts baking soda and water. Dip the toothbrush in the paste and massage the soles of your shoes. Wipe clean with a wet cloth when finished. [3]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    If your canvas shoes have any stains on them, place a small amount of stain remover on the stained area of the shoe. Allow the stain remover to sit on the shoe for the time recommended on the stain remover packaging. [4]
    • Make sure you test the stain remover on an inconspicuous part of the shoe first. This way you can make sure the product isn’t going to fade or stain your shoes.
    • You can even use baby powder/cornstarch to lift an oil stain. Just leave it on for a couple of hours and then brush it off. [5]
  4. Add a gentle laundry detergent to the machine, choose cold as the water temperature, and begin running the gentle or delicate cycle. When the machine is about three-quarters of the way filled with water, add the shoes and close the lid. [6]
  5. Once the washing machine has completely finished its cycle, it’s time to remove the shoes from the machine. Place them in an area that is away from direct sun, heat, or air vents. Allow to dry overnight. [7] [8]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Cleaning Leather Shoes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Using a stiff bristled brush or an old toothbrush, gently removed any dirt from your leather shoes. Take care not to scrub too hard or you might accidentally scratch the surface of the shoe. [9] [10]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Find a clean and dry cloth you can use to gently wipe away any grease, oil, or grime that might be on the surface of the leather. An old washcloth, dish towel, or hand towel works well for this purpose. [11] [12]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Once you’ve used the dry cloth to wipe away grease and grime, wet a cloth with warm water and gently wipe down the surface of the shoe. Be sure you don’t saturate the leather or you can cause damage. [13]
  4. It’s important that you give your leather shoes an ample amount of time to air dry once you’ve finished the cleaning process and before you wear them. Allow shoes to dry for at least 30 minutes in a space away from direct sunlight, heat, or air vents.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Apply a cream leather polish with a soft cloth and allow to sit for a few minutes. Then take the cloth and buff the leather to a shine. This will help preserve and protect your leather shoes. [14]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Cleaning Suede Shoes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Brush lightly over the surface of the shoes to remove any dirt or debris that has adhered itself to the surface of the shoe. Be sure you don't apply too much pressure as this can scratch the suede and ruin your shoes.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Sometimes suede shoes get smudged, and an eraser is an easily accessible tool to help you eliminate any unsightly smudges. Gently rub any smudges or smears with the eraser to remove them.
    • In most cases, brushing away dirt and erasing smudges will be enough to restore the suede .
  3. Using a silicone spray will help prevent new stains or water damage on your suede shoes. Once you’ve finished removing dirt, debris, and smudges, gently spray the surface of the suede with a silicon spray for extra protection. This can enhance the overall life of your shoes.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Cleaning Vinyl Shoes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    The first step to cleaning a pair of vinyl shoes is to remove any dirt or debris from the surface and sole of the shoes. Gently brush the shoes to remove the dirt before doing any further cleaning. [16]
  2. A simple household eraser will help you eliminate any scuffs or smudges from your vinyl shoes. Gently erase these marks with either an art eraser or a regular pencil eraser. Be sure not to use too much pressure.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Find a soft, clean cloth such as an old washcloth or hand towel and dampen it with lukewarm water. You can also add a drop of mild laundry detergent to the cloth. Gently wash the surface of the shoe. If using soap, wipe any soap debris remaining on the shoes with a damp clean cloth before drying.
  4. Once you’ve finished wiping down your vinyl shoes, allow them to air dry before wearing. Place the shoes in a safe space away from heat, direct sunlight, and air vents. Allow them to dry at least 30 minutes, if not longer, before wearing.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Cleaning Dirty or Smelly Insoles

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  1. To effectively clean smelly or dirty insoles, you will first need to remove the insoles from your shoes. Grip the back of the insole near the heel and gently pull the insole toward you until it is removed from the shoe.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    [18] Gently scrub the insole with the brush until all visible debris is removed. Don’t scrub too hard as this can cause certain insole fabrics to pill.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Dirty Shoes
    Apply a small amount of detergent to a cloth that has been immersed in warm water. Scrub the insole and briefly rinse in warm water before air drying.
  4. Once you’ve cleaned and rinsed the insoles, place them in an area away from heat, air vents, or direct sunlight to air dry. Once they are completely dry, you can return them to the shoes. [19]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you clean Yeezys?
    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
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How do you remove permanent marker from shoes?
    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
    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.
    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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 0
  • Question
    How do you clean a Birkenstock footbed?
    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
    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.
    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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 1
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/stain-removal/how-to-clean-white-shoes/
      2. ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-canvas-shoes-toms-keds/
      3. ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-canvas-shoes-toms-keds/
      4. ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-canvas-shoes-toms-keds/
      5. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      6. ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-canvas-shoes-toms-keds/
      7. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      8. ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-canvas-shoes-toms-keds/
      9. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      1. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/in/materials-surfaces/how-to-clean-leather
      2. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      3. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/in/materials-surfaces/how-to-clean-leather
      4. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      5. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      6. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      7. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      8. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      9. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      10. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean dirty canvas shoes, start by scrubbing dirt and debris off of them using an old toothbrush. Then, clean the soles off by scrubbing them with equal parts baking soda and water. When you're finished, machine wash the shoes on a delicate, cold water cycle before letting them air dry overnight. You can also machine wash white mesh shoes. Just remove any dirt on them with a toothbrush and then machine wash them on a hot water cycle. To learn how to clean leather, suede, and vinyl shoes, scroll down!

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