As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
The soles of your shoes can often become quite dirty since they make direct contact with the ground. Cleaning the soles of your shoes is a quick and easy process; in our article below we discuss the steps you should take to clean your soles.
Contents
Remove the Excess Dirt
1. Beat your shoes against each other to remove excess dirt.
To avoid making a mess, do this step outside or over the trash can. If necessary, scrape the bottoms of your shoes against the sidewalk or curb to remove any stuck on mud or muck.
2. Remove remaining debris.
After you’ve shaken off any excess dirt, use a hard bristled scrub brush to clean the sole. If there is gravel or dirt stuck in the tread, use a toothpick or plastic disposable silverware to pry out the debris.
Deep Cleaning the Rubber Tread
1. Combine warm water and liquid soap.
Fill a bucket or sink with approximately 1 inch of water, or just enough to reach the top and bottom edges of your shoes. Mix in 1 teaspoon dish soap with your hand until suds appear.
2. Soak your shoes for 15-20 minutes.
Put your shoes in the suds. The surfactants in the detergent will work to break down the dirt and grime on the soles while they soak.
3. Scrub the bottom of your shoes.
Dip an old toothbrush, a shoe brush, or any other hard bristled brush into the soap solution and use it to clean the soles of your shoes. Scrub the tread with your brush bristles until it’s clean, then rinse and repeat with the other shoe.
4. Dry the shoes.
To dry your shoes, use a microfiber cloth. Fold the fabric in half to produce a thick pad, then dab at the excess moisture on your shoes’ soles. If you prefer, you can also place your shoes on a shoe rack to air dry.
Cleaning with Magic Eraser
1. Remove excess dirt.
To loosen stuck on dirt, bang your shoes together outside. Use a stiff bristled brush or an old toothbrush to clean the treads and remove imbedded debris.
2. Use wet magic eraser.
A magic eraser cleans best when it is damp. Hold your magic eraser under the faucet or dip it briefly in a container of warm water to get it wet. Squeeze it lightly until no more water runs out, leaving it damp and ready to clean.
3. Remove scuffs, stains, and smears
Use the magic eraser to remove stains from your shoes’ soles in a back-and-forth motion, applying moderate pressure. Pay extra attention to rough and heavily soiled surfaces; you may need to go over these more than once. Your shoes will look nearly as good as new when you’re done.
The secret to magic erasers is their micro-abrasion technology. They work like ultra-fine sandpaper, slowly wearing away at dirt and discoloration, revealing the clean material underneath the surface.
4. Wipe with a damp cloth
After using the magic eraser, wipe down the soles of your shows with a damp cloth to finish the cleaning process and let the shoes dry.
Other Cleaning Techniques
1. Use nail polish remover.
Use a cotton ball to dab the liquid on your soles and gently wipe at any stains or grime. Acetone, the main ingredient in nail polish remover, is a highly potent solvent that is guaranteed to break down even the most tenacious dirt and grease. If you’re allergic to acetone, a few drops of distilled white vinegar will also work.
2. Use toothpaste
The same whitening chemicals you apply to keep your perfect smile may also be used to restore sneakers’ fading color. Just dab a glob of toothpaste on an old toothbrush, then work the firm bristles into the problem area. Allow ten minutes for the toothpaste to sit, then wipe it away with a wet cloth.
If you’re cleaning white soles, make sure you use plain white toothpaste. Colored toothpaste may stain a white sole.
3. Use vinegar and baking soda
Mix baking soda and water together to form a paste, and apply this paste to your soles. Scrub the paste with either your hard bristled brush or a magic eraser and then rinse and allow the shoes to dry.
You can also make a paste with baking soda, water and vinegar.
Baking soda and vinegar combine to create a fizzy, acidic compound. Mixed together, vinegar and baking soda will cut through oils and set-in stains that other cleaners can’t seem to touch.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning the soles of your shoes seems like hard work, but it pays off. Maintaining your shoes can extend their life, which saves you money in the long run. No you can keep your shoes looking fresh with your newfound cleaning knowledge.