What Homemade Mix Should I Use To Clean My Shoes?

Have you ever wondered how to clean your shoes at home effectively? Look no further! This article will explore the various homemade mixtures you can easily create to give your shoes a fresh and pristine look.

Whether you want to remove stubborn stains or freshen up the scent, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to discover the secret behind homemade shoe-cleaning mixtures and give your footwear a new lease on life.

What Homemade Mix Should I Use To Clean My Shoes?

Using homemade mixtures can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution when cleaning your shoes.

With just a few simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen, you can effectively clean various shoe materials.

In this article, we will explore ten different homemade mixtures, with detailed instructions on how to clean your shoes using each one.

1. Water and Dish Soap

1.1. Ingredients

• Water
• Dish soap

1.2. Steps

To clean your shoes using water and dish soap, follow these easy steps:

1. Fill a basin or sink with warm water.
2. Add a few drops of dish soap to the water and mix it well.
3. Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the soapy water and gently scrub the surface of your shoes.
4. Pay extra attention to any areas that are particularly dirty or stained.
5. Rinse the shoes with clean water to remove any soap residue.
6. Allow the shoes to air dry completely before wearing them again.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar

2.1. Ingredients

• Baking soda
• White vinegar

2.2. Steps

Cleaning your shoes with baking soda and vinegar is an excellent option, as it helps eliminate odors and freshens up your footwear. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Mix equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar in a small bowl to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste onto the dirty areas of your shoes using a soft brush or cloth.
3. Gently scrub the paste into the shoe material in circular motions.
4. Leave the mixture on for about 30 minutes to allow it to work its magic.
5. Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth.
6. If necessary, rinse the shoes with water and let them air dry completely.

3. Lemon Juice and Olive Oil

3.1. Ingredients

• Lemon juice
• Olive oil

3.2. Steps

If you want to restore shine to your leather shoes, lemon juice and olive oil are fantastic options. Follow these steps to clean your shoes with this mixture:

1. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a small bowl.
2. Add an equal amount of olive oil to the lemon juice.
3. Mix the two ingredients thoroughly.
4. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and gently rub it onto your leather shoes.
5. Pay attention to any scuff marks or stains, applying extra pressure if needed.
6. Allow the shoes to absorb the mixture for a few minutes.
7. Wipe off the lemon juice and olive oil with a clean cloth.
8. Buff the shoes gently with another cloth to restore their shine.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

4.1. Ingredients

• Hydrogen peroxide

4.2. Steps

Hydrogen peroxide is a valuable ingredient for removing stains and disinfecting your shoes. Here is how you can use it to clean your shoes:

1. Take a clean cloth and dampen it with hydrogen peroxide.
2. Gently scrub the stained areas of your shoes with the cloth.
3. Allow the peroxide to sit on the stains for a few minutes.
4. Rinse the shoes with water to remove the peroxide.
5. Pat the shoes dry using a clean towel.
6. Repeat the process on stubborn stains until they are entirely removed.
7. Allow the shoes to air dry before wearing them again.

5. Toothpaste

5.1. Ingredients

• Toothpaste (non-gel)

5.2. Steps

Toothpaste is not just for cleaning your teeth; it can also be used to clean your shoes effectively. Follow these steps to clean your shoes using toothpaste:

1. Squeeze a small amount of non-gel toothpaste onto a soft cloth or toothbrush.
2. Gently rub the toothpaste onto the dirty areas of your shoes.
3. Scrub the shoe material in circular motions, paying extra attention to stains or scuff marks.
4. Let the toothpaste sit on the shoes for a few minutes.
5. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the toothpaste.
6. Rinse the shoes with clean water to remove any residue.
7. Allow the shoes to air dry completely.

6. Salt and Lemon

6.1. Ingredients

• Salt
• Lemon

6.2. Steps

Using salt and lemon is an effective option if you have canvas or fabric shoes that need a good cleaning. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a small bowl.
2. Sprinkle salt onto the dirty areas of your shoes.
3. Dip a toothbrush into the lemon juice and scrub the salt into the shoe material.
4. Pay extra attention to any heavily soiled areas.
5. Allow the mixture to sit on the shoes for about 10 minutes.
6. Rinse the shoes with water to remove the salt and lemon juice.
7. Let the shoes air dry completely before wearing them again.

7. Rubbing Alcohol

7.1. Ingredients

• Rubbing alcohol

7.2. Steps

Rubbing alcohol is an excellent option for cleaning leather, suede, or other delicate materials. Follow these steps to clean your shoes using rubbing alcohol effectively:

1. Dampen a cloth or sponge with rubbing alcohol.
2. Gently scrub the dirty areas of your shoes with the cloth.
3. Pay attention to any stains or marks, applying extra pressure if needed.
4. Allow the shoes to air dry completely.
5. Repeat the process on stubborn stains until they are entirely removed.
6. Use a soft brush for suede shoes to restore the texture after drying.

8. Cornstarch

8.1. Ingredients

• Cornstarch

8.2. Steps

Cornstarch is an effective natural absorbent that can help remove oil stains from your shoes. Here’s how you can use it to clean your shoes:

1. Sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch onto the oil-stained areas of your shoes.
2. Gently massage the cornstarch into the stains using your fingers.
3. Leave the cornstarch on the shoes overnight to allow it to absorb the oil.
4. Use a soft brush to remove the excess cornstarch the next day.
5. If any residue remains, wipe it off with a clean cloth.
6. Repeat the process if necessary until the stains are eliminated.

9. Club Soda

9.1. Ingredients

• Club soda

9.2. Steps

Club soda is an effective homemade cleaner for removing stains from most types of shoes. Follow these steps to clean your shoes using club soda:

1. Pour a small amount of club soda onto a clean cloth.
2. Gently dab the stained areas of your shoes with the cloth.
3. Continue to dab until the stains start to lift.
4. If necessary, use a soft brush to scrub the stains gently.
5. Wipe off any excess club soda with a clean cloth.
6. Allow the shoes to air dry completely.

10. Vinegar

10.1. Ingredients

• White vinegar
• Water

10.2. Steps

Vinegar is a versatile ingredient that can effectively clean various shoe materials. Here’s how you can use vinegar to clean your shoes:

1. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture onto the dirty areas of your shoes.
3. Gently scrub the stains with a soft brush or cloth.
4. Rinse the shoes with water to remove any vinegar residue.
5. Pat the shoes dry with a clean towel.
6. Allow the shoes to air dry completely.

With these ten different homemade mixtures, you now have many options to clean your shoes effectively. Always test any new cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of your shoes before applying it to the entire surface. Regular shoe maintenance and cleaning will extend your shoes’ lifespan and keep them looking fresh and presentable. So, roll up your sleeves and give your shoes the tender, loving care they deserve!