How to clean your shoes

For those days when it snows unexpectedly or you accidentally step in a puddle, it helps to know how to easily clean and remove stains from your shoes.

There are various methods for cleaning winter boots and shoes, but the best ones are often the simplest. How you go about it can vary depending on what kind of shoes they are.

Various shoe care cleaning products can help make your shoes look brand-new again, but you can also freshen up your shoes using average household products. Although, we would always recommend reading the label to avoid any damage to materials!

How to clean shoelaces
One of the first and most important steps to cleaning your winter boots or shoes is to remove any laces.
This allows you to get into every nook and cranny while giving them a good scrub separately.
Yes, you can wash your shoelaces in the washing machine – After you remove your laces, give them a quick brush with a spare toothbrush or rinse them in the sink to get rid of any lingering dirt. If they’re extra grubby, feel free to use a stain-removing detergent with your laundry load. It can be helpful to wash them in a mesh laundry bag if you have one, to keep them together.

Wash your shoelaces by hand – You can also wash shoelaces by hand in the sink. A touch of washing-up liquid and a spare toothbrush will do the trick. Let them soak in warm water for at least 15 minutes before getting to work, adding a little stain-removing detergent if necessary.

Tips for cleaning white shoelaces – Use baking soda for cleaning white laces. Just combine one part baking soda with two parts water. Let them soak for 15 minutes before washing and rinsing.
Once they’re clean, simply hang your shoelaces up to dry.

How to clean winter boots
Boots are a tried and tested companion for winter months. With thick socks and protection from the cold and wet. What’s not to love?
Whether they’re made from leather, suede or synthetic materials, knowing how to clean winter boots is ideal to help make them last longer.

Leather boots

Leather is naturally durable, but it still requires care and attention. Its supple texture can be affected by the elements over time.

Here are a few step-by-step cleaning tips for those trusty leather shoes:
Remove any shoelaces.
Make sure they’re not soaking wet before cleaning. Leather is porous, so too much water can damage it.
Head outdoors and clap any dry dirt away from the soles.
Wipe dirt away with a damp cloth and mild soap. Better yet, use saddle soap, which is specifically made for cleaning leather.
Allow to dry completely.


Suede boots

Cleaning suede requires a few gentle techniques to make sure you don’t damage or ruin the shoes. You will need:
A suede brush
A soft cloth
Suede cleaner, or a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water.

Follow these steps to clean suede boots:
Brush the stained or dirty area in both directions.
Use a damp cloth to wipe the boots with a small amount of your cleaning solution.
Allow to dry completely.