Everyone has that one pair of shoes they love. It could be your comfy Ugg boots or slippers, your Hokas that you wear to school everyday, or the pair of sneakers you own that go with all of your outfits. After a few months of everyday life, walking through dirt or rain your shoes start to look rough. A lot of peoples first thought is “I need a new pair of shoes now.”
But is that really the case? Most shoes don’t actually need to be replaced, they just need a little cleaning. Cleaning your shoes seems boring and such a hassle but it can be pretty satisfying.
Take Ugg boots as an example. They get dirty so easily, especially during the winter. Between salt, puddles, and snow, they can start to look worn down fast. The trick with the suede boots is not to panic when they get stained but let them fully dry and then try to clean them.
For dirt or mud stains first let them dry, then gently brush off the dirt with any cleaning brush. You can also use a small amount of water and a suede cleaner you can get off amazon to remove the deeper stains in the shoe. But if you fully soak the boots it will only make things worse leaving more stains.
For salt stains you can mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water using a cloth to dab the solutions on the stains then let them air dry. For a coffee stain or any dark liquids that may fall on your boots you should buff the stain away with a suede brush, toothbrush, or a dry towel. Then dab with suede cleaner using a dry cloth.
Sneakers, especially Hokas are super easy to clean. Most Hokas and other sneakers are made with mesh fabric and foam soles, which means dirt sits on the surface and does not fully soak in. This makes them perfect for a simple cleaning routine.
Start by removing the laces and insoles, placing the laces in a bowl with warm water and soap. Then brush off any loose dirt, use a mix of warm water and a little soap to gently scrub clean with a toothbrush. Focus on the dirty areas but don’t soak the entire shoe. Wipe them down with a damp cloth and let them air dry. Avoid using a dryer since the heat can damage the shape and material.
If the stain is fully submerged into the shoe use 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of hot water creating a paste-like consistency. Use a toothbrush to apply the paste onto the stains then place them outside in bright sunlight for 3-4 hours. Once the paste is dried, clap the shoes together to knock off the dried paste or a toothbrush to scrub it off.
For any light color sneakers, this step alone makes a huge difference. Avoid soaking the entire shoe, too much water can damage the glue and structure making the color darker.
Grace O’Brien ‘26 used this technique to make her dirty white sneakers look brand new. “My sneakers had it rough, I wear them to work so they’re constantly getting dirty. I made the paste and put it on my sneakers and it worked so well I felt like I got a new pair.” O’Brien ‘26 said.
Cleaning your shoes instead of replacing them isn’t just about saving money, but it also helps them last longer and look better. It can also change the way you think about your belongings. Instead of constantly buying new things, you learn how totake care of what you already have.
Nurse Mrs. McGovern struggled with dirty shoelaces but did the trick by putting her laces in a warm bowl of water with some soap. “They came out cleaner than expected,” she said. “I would do it again.”
At the end of the day, your favorite pair of shoes doesn’t have to be thrown out just because they got a little dirty. Sometimes, all they need is a quick clean and they’re as good as new.
