How to Clean Shoes?

Whether classic or sports... Shoes, one of the most important complements of elegance, are also one of the style elements most affected by environmental factors such as dirt and weather conditions. So, what should be taken into consideration when cleaning shoes? You can find the answer to this question in this guide, specific to different shoe models and materials!

When you are going to work, going to the market, going for a run or walk, preparing for a weekend event, or attending a special invitation; in summer, winter and even during seasonal transitions... Of course, you don't always wear the same shoes at all these times, right? In our opinion, the variety of shoes in your closet clearly answers this question for you. So, what could be the way to keep your shoes looking new and intact for many years? The answer to this is actually quite clear: Proper cleaning!

Shoes that are cleaned regularly using appropriate equipment and products can maintain their ideal surface and form, or rather their first-day appearance, no matter what conditions they are used in. The most important point here is choosing the “appropriate”, that is, the “right” equipment and product! Of course, at this point, it should not be forgotten that the equivalent of the word "correct" varies depending on the shoe types. So, here are our best shoe cleaning tips based on model and material!

1. 5 Mistakes Made While Cleaning Shoes

Before detailing what you need to do to clean shoes, we think it would be better to start by explaining which practices you should avoid in general. Because some mistakes can be described as the worst situations that can happen to a shoe, regardless of its model and material. So, what could these be?

• Washing shoes in the washing machine
• Using cleaners with intense chemical formulas that contain bleaching ingredients
• Rubbing the surface of the shoe with the hard part of kitchen sponges
• Wetting shoes too much
• After cleaning, keep the shoes in a humid environment / do not expose them directly to the sun

2. How to Clean Shoes?

Just as the points to be avoided when cleaning shoes are common in certain aspects, some details to be taken into consideration are also similar. For example;

• Shoe cleaning must be done by hand.
• For cleaning, only shoe cleaning spray or white soap or white vinegar should be preferred.
• For the cleaning process, shoe brushes, soft-bristled toothbrushes and/or smooth-textured cloths - preferably microfiber - should be used.
• When cleaning shoes, laces etc. If there are additional accessories, they should be removed.
• Shoes should not be immersed directly in water, and excessive water should be prevented from entering during cleaning.
• Only moisture and odor absorbing silica powders should be used to clean the inside of the shoes.

If you follow these suggestions, you can provide optimal cleaning for all of your shoes without any risk of deformation. However, what you need to know is of course not limited to these. So now it's time to ask, "How should shoes be cleaned?" It's time to answer the question specifically about models and materials!

2.1. How to Clean Suede Shoes?

We wanted to start this part of our article with the shoe model that leaves the most questions in mind regarding its cleanliness due to its hairy texture. Suede shoes, with their delicate surface that even shows fingerprints when touched, are by far the most dirt-catching types due to their furry structure.

The best option for cleaning suede shoes is to use suede & nubuck shoe cleaning sprays or white vinegar. Because foaming cleaners can cause difficulties in cleaning suede shoes, as they should not be rinsed with plenty of water. It can also cause hardening on the surface. Here's what needs to be done, step by step:

• First, clean the outer surface of the shoe from excess dust with the help of a shoe cleaning brush.
• Moisten all outer parts of the shoe with a wet cloth squeezed out of excess water.
• Apply the shoe cleaning solution or aqueous white vinegar in the spray bottle homogeneously to the surface of the shoe (without wetting it too much).
• Leave the shoes you applied the cleaner to in an airy environment for 15-20 minutes.
• To remove the solution or white vinegar, wipe the shoes gently with the slightly dampened cloth.
• Leave the shoes to dry in an open environment with adequate air flow and away from direct sunlight.

2.2. How to Clean Nubuck Shoes?

Although it has shorter pile compared to suede, nubuck can sometimes put its owners in a difficult situation when it comes to cleaning due to its velvety texture. The steps to be taken to clean nubuck shoes are almost the same as for suede:

First, brushing and moistening with a wet cloth, then applying solution or white vinegar to the entire surface, then leaving the shoe with the cleaner applied for 10-15 minutes, and at the last stage, wiping it with a clean wet cloth and letting it dry... It's actually very simple, isn't it?

2.3. How to Clean Patent Leather Shoes?

Since it has a smooth texture that is almost dirt-repellent, cleaning patent leather shoes is much easier than others! All you have to do is clean your shoes with a damp soft cloth and then wipe them with a suitable cleaner to preserve their shine. Afterwards, if you wish, you can wipe the surface again with a shoe cleaning sponge containing polisher. Cleaning patent leather shoes is just that!

2.4. How to Clean Leather Shoes?

It can be said that cleaning leather shoes is very easy, similar to patent leather. To do this, first of all, you should clean the surface from excess dust and dried stains with a shoe brush or a dry cloth. Afterwards, you can easily clean the shoes with a damp cloth. After this process, if you wish, you can get help from shoe cleaning foam/solution and shine shoe sponges, respectively.

2.5. How to Clean White Leather Shoes?

In the previous title, we detailed what needs to be done for cleaning leather shoes. However, it is also known that there are some subtle differences between “leather shoe cleaning” and “white leather shoe cleaning”. Namely, white leather shoes may experience cracking or wear much more quickly due to their soft and sensitive texture.

It is best to obtain some products specifically for cleaning white leather shoes. These mainly consist of white shoe cleaning foam, a narrow-nosed brush (e.g. toothbrush) and, if necessary, white shoe polish. So, let's move on to the application steps:

• Remove the laces, if any, and place them in a container filled with water and detergent.
• Clean the shoes from excess dust and dirt with a damp cloth.
• Complete the general cleaning phase with white shoe cleaning foam or a white soapy cloth.
• Use a toothbrush to clean the recessed parts of the shoe, such as lace holes and tongues.
• Rinse the foam completely with a wet clean cloth.
• Leave the shoes in a shady and airy area until they are completely dry.
• After drying, use white shoe polish if necessary and let it dry again in a dust-free environment.
• Now you can reattach the laces that you have thoroughly cleaned and dried. Here it is like new!

2.6. How to Clean White Sneakers?

It can be said that what you need to do to clean white sneakers is actually exactly the same as the steps we mentioned in the previous title. However, another point to consider here is which materials are used in the shoes.

Although the material does not make much difference, it may require more care when removing the cleaner from the shoes. Because if fabric material is used on the surface, the shoe may need to be cleaned with less water and a more intense amount of cleaner and rinsed repeatedly with a clean watery cloth.

2.7. How to Clean Sneakers?

Sneaker is a concept used to describe sports shoe models suitable for daily use. Considering that white sneakers are generally sneakers; It is possible to say that it would be a correct way to adopt the inductive method in this regard and apply the cleaning steps above in the same way. As a matter of fact, since sneakers come in many different colors, white ones are the color option that requires the most care in this regard.

What if the sneaker you want to clean has mesh in addition to leather and fabric materials? Let's take a step-by-step look at what you can do to clean colored or white mesh shoes:

• Remove the shoe laces and wash them separately by first soaking them in detergent water.
• If the mesh parts have a padded texture, first use a vacuum cleaner with a thin nozzle to clean the dust inside.
• Fill the inside of the shoe with a towel or dry highly absorbent cloth.
• Wipe the shoe with a damp cloth to remove surface dirt.
• Rinse the cloth, lather it with white soap without squeezing it too much and start the cleaning process. Or apply a generous amount of sneaker cleaning foam to the surface.
• Leave the shoes with the cleaner applied on them for a while. Then proceed to the rinsing phase with a wet cloth. Repeat this process until the product, especially the mesh parts, are thoroughly cleaned of cleaner.
• After making sure the shoes are rinsed, remove excess water with a dry cloth and let them dry. Once all parts of the shoe are dry, you can attach the laces.

2.8. How to Clean Boots?

Due to the season in which they are used, boots are constantly exposed to dirty water, mud, etc. may be exposed to factors. To prevent these factors from damaging the shoes, the most effective solution is to wipe the boots with a damp cloth after each use. Then, if necessary, the most appropriate cleaners and methods are applied according to the material of the shoe. If your boots are suede, nubuck or leather, you can follow the steps detailed above accordingly.

2.9. How to Clean Boots?

Cleaning boots is exactly the same as boots and other suede, nubuck and leather shoes. Mud etc. In order to prevent factors from remaining on the boot and damaging its texture, it is necessary to perform a superficial cleaning, dry or wet, after each use. Then, using shoe polishes or paints depending on the suitability of the texture provides the ideal appearance.