How to Clean Shoes: The Rieker Guide
Welcome to the Rieker guide on how to clean shoes. Here, you will find advice on how to clean shoes, down to the specific details, so you can’t go wrong. Click one of the articles below for full, in-depth guides on how to clean shoes based on the material, colour, and type of shoe for best results and for your shoes to look good as new.
How to Clean Leather Shoes
When you think of shoe materials, chances are leather is the first one that comes to mind. Every wardrobe or shoe rack needs a pair of leather shoes, even if they are only worn for occasions when formal attire is required. Whether you are looking to make a great first impression at that job interview or you wear them for almost everything, it's important to keep your leather shoes looking their best. Find out how to clean leather shoes with our step-by-step guide.
How to Clean Suede Shoes
Suede is one of the most stylish materials for footwear. A popular go-to for rounding off a smart casual look, suede makes a great pair of classic styles such as oxfords and an equally great pair of chukka boots. The only downside is that suede is notoriously difficult to clean. However, our step-by-step guide outlines the proper process on how to clean suede shoes, making it very simple.
How to Clean White Shoes
White shoes go well with almost any outfit, making them a wardrobe staple for both men and women. However, nothing ruins the look of white shoes more than dirt, and the slightest mark will show up easily, so it is imperative to clean them regularly to prevent visible marks on your white shoes from messing up what would be a very clean and sharp look. This guide details how to keep white shoes spotless.
How to Clean Sandals
Sandals are a versatile footwear option, especially in warm weather. The go-to option for a nice stroll on the beach and a popular choice for day-to-night outfits in summer, sandals are often present when the opportunity comes up for a new profile picture. This step-by-step article details how to clean them sandals so they look fantastic.
How to Clean Canvas Shoes
Canvas shoes are a wardrobe staple for completing any casual outfit. A pair of canvas trainers is a footwear item that has stood the test of time and has been worn by generation after generation. However, some people wear them so much that they often look beaten up and dirty without the right care, which can take what would be a sleek casual outfit and make it look messy. This guide explains how to clean canvas shoes to elevate your casual outfits to the next level.
How to Remove Odour from Shoes
Canvas shoes are a wardrobe staple for completing any casual outfit. A pair of canvas trainers is a footwear item that has stood the test of time and has been worn by generation after generation. However, some people wear them so much that they often look beaten up and dirty without the right care, which can take what would be a sleek casual outfit and make it look messy. This guide explains how to clean canvas shoes to elevate your casual outfits to the next level.
What do I need to Clean Shoes?
Bristle Brush/Toothbrush
Microfibre Cloth
Warm Water
Cleaning Chemicals or Baking Soda & Vinegar
Can you Wash Shoes in the Washing Machine?
Whilst many shoes are considered washing machine safe it is generally recommended that shoes should be hand washed rather than put in the washing machine. This is because the high water pressure could potentially cause significant damage to the shoe or cause it to lose its shape.
Start by removing any laces and insoles and putting them to one side because it is easier to clean these once they have been removed from the shoe. Then, clean your shoes with a dry, soft-bristle brush or microfibre cloth to remove any loose dirt and debris. Then, using warm water and the best cleaning agent, depending on the type of shoe, go over the shoe again with a brush or cloth to remove any remaining marks and stains. Once clean, air dry your shoes instead of putting them in the tumble dryer as, like the washing machine, your shoes could get damaged.
How to Clean Dog Poop off Shoes
The best way to go about cleaning dog poop from the bottom of your shoe is to remove as much as you can as soon as you can - without directly touching it, of course. So, as soon as you realise there’s dog muck on your shoe, wipe them on some grass or leaves or scrape them against the edge of a kerb. If there are any sticks lying around, you can dig one into the grooves of your soles to remove most of the dog poop that way.
Then once you get home, a good way of removing any remaining dog poop is actually to freeze your shoes. Put them in a freezer bag and freeze them for a few hours. Once frozen, dog poop will be much easier to remove (and a lot less disgusting!) Remember to wash your hands after being anywhere near dog poop.
How to Clean Mouldy Shoes
When tackling mouldy shoes, clean them outside so you don’t spread mould spores around your house. Cleaning mouldy shoes outside also reduces the risk of inhaling mould spores.
The first thing to do when you are cleaning a pair of mouldy shoes is to go over them with a dry brush, brushing any visible mould. Next, mix warm water with a disinfectant substance such as rubbing alcohol or vinegar, dip a soft cloth in the solution and wipe your shoes with it. Leave the shoes outside to dry, ideally in sunlight.
How to Clean Muddy Shoes
It is much easier to clean mud off shoes once it has dried. One of the quickest ways to remove loose mud from shoes is to simply hit them together or against a hard surface such as a wall or a kerb, forcing the loose mud to fall off.
Remove even more dry mud by going over muddy spots with a dry brush, cloth or paper towel. Once the excess mud has been removed, mix warm water with washing-up liquid and scrub any remaining mud stains on your shoes with this solution using a soft brush.
How to Clean Shoelaces
Remove the laces from the shoe and use a soft-bristle brush on both sides of the shoelace. Then, run the laces under warm water to remove any stuck dirt. Next, fill the sink or a bowl with warm water and add some washing-up liquid to make the water soapy and bubbly. Soak the laces in the warm, soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes, scrubbing them between your fingers occasionally. Once done, if there are still any visible stains - they should be easily removed with a soft-bristle brush. Once the laces are clean and stain-free, hang them to air dry.
Can you Clean Shoelaces in the Washing Machine?
Yes! Brush the laces and run them under warm water, as explained above. Then, put the laces in a laundry bag and throw them in with a load of washing, letting the washing machine and detergent do the rest. Once the cycle is complete, avoid putting shoelaces in the tumble dryer and stick to air drying to prevent the laces from shrinking and keep the tips of your laces intact.
