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We’ve all been there. You’re wearing your FAVORITE pair of shoes, in the midst of an intense discussion about your fave Netflix series with a friend, not paying attention to where you’re stepping because hello, DRAMA, when suddenly… *splat*. Your shoes are now nicely decorated with a huge helping of mud from the puddle you just stepped in. Ew.
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a whole bunch of money on a new pair, or possibly spend money at ALL. You can easily clean up your shoes and restore them to their former, non-muddy glory with the tools below!
Since I’ve been reselling (and since I’m also accident-prone…woops), I’ve came across a lot of shoes that need a little extra lovin’, and a whole lot of cleaning. Below are my favorite shoe cleaning products!
For conditioning leather:
Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam is perfect for leather boots, but works on other leather products too, like leather coats and jackets.
It helps condition and nourish leather, getting out scuffs and adding some shine! A little goes a looooong way with this product and it comes with a sponge that’s stored in the container, so everything you need is in one spot.
For getting off sticky residue:
Aren’t the tags on the soles of shoes that leave the sticky stuff everywhere the WORST?!
Sometimes, it seems almost impossible to get off. These products don’t just make it possible, they get the job done!
It says it has no harsh fumes, but the smell is a little strong personally, so if you're sensitive to smells you may want to look into alternative adhesive removers here.
For suede:
I’d honestly never known how to clean suede until I started reselling.
Now, these are my go-to tools for all of my suede boots, especially in the winter when they get stained by salt and I need to clean them up a bit.
For killing bacteria:
These wipes are great for disinfecting shoes and cleaning soles. They come with two sides (a soft side and a scrubbing side) which makes them extremely versatile. One of my favorite tools for white shoes!
For whitening:
White shoes can get so dirty, so fast. Along with the wipes listed above, these are my favorite tools for brightening those whites!
I'd suggest putting a towel down or using this over a surface that can easily be wiped down as these do crumble while using.
Other Items To Consider
- Paper towels (or reusable paper towels as an eco-friendly option) for wiping down shoes
- Toothbrush for scrubbing and getting in the grooves
- UGG Protector Shoe Care Cleaning Kit if you own or sell a lot of UGG boots
- A hair dryer for removing tags/labels in one piece
- Fine grit sandpaper or lemon essential oil for removing a price written on the sole of leather shoes
Whether it’s your muddy boots, a pair of shoes you found while thrifting and want to clean up and sell on Poshmark, or that pair of tennis shoes you’ve had in your closet FOREVER, these tools are sure to bring new life into any and every shoe!
What are your favorite shoe cleaning products?
Let me know your favorite shoe cleaning products (or hacks) in the comments below! I’m always looking to try new things!
Thanks for the tips. I’ve been meaning to clean up some of my work shoes and even my Converse. I’m going to start with the Magic Eraser and go from there.
Laura, it’s my pleasure! That’s awesome- the Magic Eraser will be perfect for your Converse 😊 For your work shoes, just make sure if they’re delicate materials (i.e. silk or leather) that the products you’re choosing aren’t too harsh!
I love all of these! I also use “scrubbing bubbles”. It works like a charm on dirty converse or vans!
I haven’t ever tried that, Stevie, but I’m definitely going to look into it! I love trying new things so appreciate the recommendation 😊
I always use magic erasers for my white-soled shoes. Game changer for literally everything. Used it for tile cleaning this morning even!