How to clean shoes: essential tips to keep them in perfect condition

Women have a reputation for being “shoe crazy”. And it’s not by chance: most of them need at least one pair just to work, one (or more) sneakers to practice their physical activities, different models of sandals to go out at night, several options of sneakers for the day to day… And much more! After all, they are really essential, regardless of the model, and make all the difference when putting together a look.

However, with so many pairs of shoes available at home, it is common for questions to arise about how to clean each one of them. But, this act is totally necessary so that the different types of shoes are preserved for a longer time.

In addition, proper cleaning of shoes is essential to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and fungi and is one of the main factors in combating unpleasant odors and diseases caused by foot perspiration, such as mycoses.

“It is important to invest in a proper cleaning process for shoes, because even ordinary washing can damage them, since the pieces remain damp for a long time, with a tendency to accumulate microorganisms that are harmful to health”, explains Rejane Nascimento, manager of training at 5àsec, specialized in cleaning and sanitizing sneakers and other shoes.

Below, the professional gives some tips on how to wash the main types of shoes:

Sneakers

Rejane Nascimento points out that the ideal is always to take the pairs of sneakers to a laundry, where professionals will know how to take care of them in the best possible way, since there are sneakers made with different materials, of different qualities… And all this needs to be taken into account.

But in general, it can be said that, to wash sneakers, it is first necessary to separate the laces and insoles, which must be washed together in a protective bag, inside the machine.

“You can use a mild detergent on a brush with soft bristles (or, in some cases, with a little firmer bristles) and rub it carefully on the fabric parts of the shoes. On the rubber parts and soles, you can use river stone or loofah”, explains Rejane.

After that, the shoes must be placed in a protective bag to be taken to the machine. “It must be activated in a delicate program, so as not to damage the shoes. Otherwise, the sole may even come off”, says the professional.

After the aforementioned procedure, you can put a dry bath towel next to the shoes in the machine and start the spin program. This makes the shoes come out of the machine practically dry, as Rejane explains.

The 5àsec training manager also adds that the shoes, after washing, should not be placed in the sun, but in an airy place, where they should remain for about 24 hours.

Leather shoes

Leather shoes require special care. Everything must be done manually. You can use a soft toothbrush with diluted mild soap, in addition to a slightly damp towel. “Then, the brush is passed on a small part of the shoe and, soon after, the wet towel in the same place. And so on, until you finish cleaning the entire shoe”, he says.

It is still necessary to do this same cleaning on the inside of the shoes and, later, pass a deodorant on it.

“Leather shoes should also be left in an airy place. And, after that, a little moisturizer or Vaseline (in the case of smooth leather) can be applied to the shoes”, says Rejane.

“In the case of suede shoes, the moisturizer is placed inside a spray bottle to spray it from afar”, adds the professional.

fabric shoes

Shoes made of fabric also require special care. “You can even use a baby hairbrush. It must be ironed, a little damp, in a part of the shoe and, soon after, the dryer is passed. And so on, on each part of the shoes, to prevent the fabric from getting wet and staining”, explains Rejane Nascimento.

A tip from the specialist is to use two drops of vinegar in the water where the brush will be wet, which will help to avoid the formation of stains on this type of footwear.

String sole shoes

They also deserve special care, as they should be wetted as little as possible. “You can use a damp cloth with mild soap and rub it little by little,” he says.

If necessary, adds the professional, you can use a dryer to not leave any part of the shoe a little wet. After the procedure, it is interesting to apply a deodorant to the shoes.

varnished shoes

To clean this type of shoes, use only a damp cloth (flannel or towel) and lubricant (which can be a cream or a little furniture polish).

“It is important that both the cream and the furniture polish are placed on the cloth and never directly on the shoes, so as not to mark them”, highlights Rejane Nascimento.

Now you know that each type of footwear needs special care. So, if you don’t have time to dedicate yourself to cleaning your shoes, take them to a specialized laundry, who will use the correct products and procedures to keep them perfect for longer!