How to Clean Used Shoes
Learn how to clean used shoes the right way.
How to Clean the Inside of Your Shoes
Ever catch a whiff of something funky when you kick off your shoes? Studies show that our feet produce up to half a pint of sweat daily, creating a bacteria paradise, with some shoes harboring over 420,000 units of bacteria per square inch.
But here's the good news: it’s not hard to get those stinky shoes smelling fresh again. Keep reading to discover simple tips on how to clean the inside of your shoes that’ll extend the life of your footwear and keep your feet happy.
Why You Should Clean the Inside of Your Shoes
Your feet have more than 250,000 sweat glands that produce moisture every single day. When this sweat gets trapped inside your shoes, it becomes the perfect home for bacteria to grow and multiply.
These bacteria lead to bad odors, but that’s not the only problem they can cause. Bacteria buildup can also lead to health issues like athlete's foot, toenail fungus, and skin infections that make your feet itchy, red, and uncomfortable.
All that moisture and dirt inside your shoes doesn't just affect your feet. The materials in your shoes break down faster when they're constantly damp and dirty, which means you'll need to replace your favorite pair sooner than you should.
Regular cleaning removes the sweat, dirt, and bacteria that eat away at the fabric, leather, or synthetic materials. By cleaning the inside of shoes regularly, you’re protecting both your feet and your wallet while preventing odor and bacteria buildup.
What You'll Need to Clean the Inside of Your Shoes
There are a few common household products that are useful for cleaning and deodorizing your shoes:
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Baking soda – neutralizes bad smells by absorbing odors instead of just covering them up
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White vinegar – kills bacteria and germs that cause infections and foot problems
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Mild dish soap – breaks down dirt and oils without damaging shoe materials
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Soft-bristled toothbrush or shoe brush – scrubs away grime without scratching or tearing the inside fabric
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Clean cloths or paper towels – wipes away dirt and helps dry your shoes after cleaning
While the basics work great, you might want some extras for tougher jobs or long-term freshness.
Shoe deodorizer sprays give you quick odor control between deep cleanings. These are especially useful for gym shoes or work boots.
Cedar shoe inserts naturally absorb moisture and smell great without any chemicals. Just pop them in your shoes overnight and they’ll be fresher in the morning.
You can also buy antibacterial shoe sprays that keep killing germs for days after you use them, though a vinegar solution works almost as well.
Preparing Your Shoes for Cleaning
Start by taking everything out of your shoes that can be removed.
Turn your shoes upside down over a trash can and tap them together to shake out dirt, pebbles, and any loose debris hiding inside. Pull out the laces completely, since they need separate cleaning anyway.
Next, check if your insoles come out by gently lifting at the heel area with your fingers. If they pop right out, great! If they feel glued down or won't budge with gentle pulling, leave them in place, because forcing them out will damage your shoes.
Now take a close look at what you're working with. Leather needs gentler cleaning than canvas or synthetic materials, so be sure you know what your shoes are made of.
Run your hand inside to feel for extra dirty spots, worn areas, or places where the lining might be coming loose. Look for stains, salt marks from winter walking, or dark patches where sweat has built up the most.
If your shoes also have visible scuffs, here’s a quick guide on how to get scuff marks off your shoes without damaging the surface.
This quick inspection tells you which areas need extra attention and helps you avoid using the wrong cleaning method that could ruin your shoes.
Cleaning and Deodorizing the Inside of Your Shoes
There are several methods you can use to clean and deodorize your shoes. We’ll go over using SneakERASERS Soak as an all-in-one treatment for inside your shoes, using baking soda for deodorizing, deep cleaning with soap and water, and using vinegar as a deodorizing treatment.
SneakERASERS Soak
With a formula designed specifically for cleaning mesh and fabric shoes, SneakERASERS Soak will help you get your shoes looking and smelling fresh, inside and out.
You can just soak your fabric or mesh shoes for a couple of hours in the solution, rinse them well, and let them dry thoroughly (for at least 24 hours).
If you have any remaining stains, you can spot-treat them with the same solution using a cloth or soft brush.
Baking Soda Treatment
Baking soda works well as a deodorizer. It’s ideal for canvas sneakers, cloth flats, and most synthetic materials that don’t stain easily.
Use this treatment once a week for shoes you wear daily, or once a month for shoes you only wear occasionally.
Skip the baking soda on suede shoes or any material that water might damage, since the powder can leave white marks that won't come out.
How to Apply Baking Soda
Measure out 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda for each shoe: athletic shoes might need the full 2 teaspoons, while dress shoes usually need just 1.
Sprinkle the powder evenly inside, making sure to cover the toe box, heel, and sides by gently shaking and tilting the shoe.
For leather shoes or really stubborn odors, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to make a paste, spread it inside with an old toothbrush, let it dry completely, then brush it out.
It’s best let the baking soda sit overnight or at least 8 hours. This gives it enough time to pull out moisture and absorb all those trapped odors.
In the morning, turn your shoes upside down and tap out the powder over a trash can, then use a dry cloth or vacuum hose attachment to remove any leftover residue that might feel gritty against your feet.
Soap and Water Deep Clean
If the insides of your shoes are very dirty, you’ll want to give them a more thorough cleaning — this method works great when you’re learning how to clean the inside of shoes safely without damaging materials.
How to Use Soap and Water on Shoes
Mix warm water (around 80-90°F) with a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl, creating just enough suds to see bubbles.
If your shoes have removable insoles, let them soak in this mixture for 10-15 minutes, gently swishing them around every few minutes to loosen dirt.
For delicate materials like mesh, follow this guide on how to clean white mesh running shoes to avoid damage while removing sweat and dirt buildup.
Don’t soak shoes with non-removable insoles. Instead, dip a cloth in the soapy water, wring it out until it's just damp, and wipe the inside. This prevents water from soaking through to the glue and outer materials, which could cause the sole to separate or the shoe to lose its shape.
How to Scrub Shoes
Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush for leather and delicate fabrics, or a stiffer shoe brush for tough canvas and rubber materials.
Focus your scrubbing on the three dirtiest areas: the heel where your foot rubs, the arch where sweat collects, and the toe box where oils build up.
Use gentle circular motions with light pressure. Think of it like brushing your teeth, not scrubbing a dirty pan.
Rinse with a clean, damp cloth and repeat if needed, then stuff your shoes with paper towels to absorb moisture and help them keep their shape while drying.
Vinegar Solution
A vinegar solution can disinfect as well as deodorize, making it one of the most effective options when figuring out how to clean the inside of shoes and remove odor-causing bacteria.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. For most shoes, you'll just need about ¼ cup of each, but you can mix up a larger batch to use in many cleaning applications.
Spray the inside of your shoes until they're lightly misted but not soaking wet, making sure to hit all surfaces where bacteria like to hide. The vinegar kills up to 99% of bacteria and 82% of mold species that cause foot infections and bad smells.
Let your shoes air dry in a well-ventilated area for 24 hours. Outdoors is best if weather permits, or near an open window works too. The vinegar smell will completely disappear once dry, leaving your shoes fresh and germ-free.
Special Care for Different Materials
Leather Insoles
Leather needs gentle care because too much water can make it crack, stiffen, or develop water stains that won't come out.
Clean leather insoles with a barely damp cloth dipped in a mild soap solution, wiping gently rather than scrubbing, and never soak them.
After cleaning and drying, apply a thin layer of leather conditioner (about a dime-sized amount per shoe) to keep the leather soft and prevent cracking.
Clean leather insoles monthly if you wear them regularly, and have them replaced every 6-12 months or when they start showing cracks, permanent odor, or worn spots that conditioner can't fix.
Athletic and Foam Insoles
Most athletic insoles pop right out: pull from the heel and they should come free for easy cleaning.
You can wash foam and fabric athletic insoles in your washing machine on cold with gentle detergent, but skip the machine for memory foam or gel insoles, as heat and spinning will ruin them.
SneakERASERS Soak is great for insoles and laces: let them soak while you clean your shoes with whatever method you prefer.
Always air dry athletic insoles flat on a towel away from direct heat or sunlight, which can cause them to curl up or shrink. They'll need about 24 hours to dry completely.
Non-Removable Insoles
For glued-in insoles, use just enough moisture to clean the shoe without getting it soaking wet.
Spray your cleaning solution on a cloth (not directly in the shoe) and wipe down the insole. For tough stains or extra smelly spots, hold a vinegar-dampened cloth against the area for 30 seconds, then wipe clean with a dry cloth.
If your non-removable insoles still smell after multiple cleanings, have permanent stains, or the material is peeling away from the shoe bottom, it's time to either take them to a professional shoe repair shop or consider replacing the shoes entirely.
Drying Your Shoes Properly
Never use a hair dryer, heater, or clothes dryer to speed up shoe drying. Heat will warp their shape, melt the glue holding your shoes together, and cause leather or synthetic materials to crack.
Instead, set your shoes in a spot with good air flow like near an open window, in front of a fan, or outside in the shade if it's not humid. Position them at an angle by leaning them against a wall with the opening facing down, or better yet, remove the laces completely and pull the tongue forward to create maximum airflow inside the shoe.
Stuff your wet shoes with crumpled newspaper or paper towels to soak up moisture from the inside and help the shoes hold their shape. Change the paper every few hours if your shoes are really wet, and expect the whole process to take 12-24 hours depending on the material.
If you have cedar shoe trees, use those instead of paper once your shoes are just slightly damp. They'll absorb the last bit of moisture while adding a fresh scent and preventing your shoes from shrinking or developing creases as they finish drying.
Preventing Future Odors and Buildup
Once you’ve cleaned the inside of your shoes, there are a few simple habits you can follow to keep them fresh and odor-free for longer.
Daily Maintenance
Never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row: your feet produce a lot of sweat, and shoes need 24 hours to fully dry out between wears.
Invest in moisture-wicking socks made from merino wool or synthetic athletic materials instead of cotton, which traps sweat against your skin, and never go barefoot in closed shoes since socks act as a barrier between your feet and the shoe lining.
At the end of each day, take 30 seconds to wipe the inside of your shoes with a dry cloth, sprinkle in a tiny bit of baking soda if they feel damp, and loosen the laces to help them air out overnight.
Long-Term Management
Cedar shoe trees or activated charcoal inserts work like sponges, pulling moisture and odors out of your shoes while you're not wearing them. Just pop them in after each wear and they'll last for months.
Store your shoes on an open rack or shelf where air can circulate around them, never in plastic bags or sealed containers where moisture gets trapped and creates a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
Set up a cleaning schedule based on how often you wear each pair: athletic shoes need deep cleaning monthly during heavy use, work shoes every 6-8 weeks, and dress shoes you wear occasionally can go 3-4 months between thorough cleanings.
When to Replace Your Insoles
Look for these clear signs that your insoles need replacing instead of another cleaning: flat spots where the cushioning has compressed and won't bounce back, visible tears or holes especially around the heel and ball of the foot, and bad smells that won't go away even after multiple deep cleanings with vinegar.
Also check if the fabric is peeling away from the foam underneath, if there are permanent dark stains that won't lift, or if your feet hurt after wearing the shoes because the insoles have lost their support.
Most insoles last 6-12 months with regular wear, but runners and people on their feet all day might need new ones every 3-4 months, while dress shoe insoles worn once a week can last over a year.
If you're cleaning the same insoles every week and they still smell, or you've spent an hour scrubbing with no improvement, it's time to replace them.
Basic replacement insoles cost $10-20 and will save you hours of cleaning time. Quality athletic or orthotic insoles cost more ($30-50) but last longer and provide better support than constantly trying to revive dead insoles.
Remember that worn-out insoles can cause foot pain, blisters, and even back problems, so the cost of new insoles is worth it compared to potential medical bills or having to replace the entire shoe because damaged insoles ruined the interior.
Keep Your Shoes Fresh From the Inside Out
Before reading this guide, you might have been tossing out shoes that just needed a good inside cleaning, or suffering through smelly, uncomfortable footwear thinking nothing could be done.
Now you've got an arsenal of cleaning methods at your fingertips, from quick baking soda treatments for weekly freshening to deep vinegar disinfection for killing stubborn bacteria, plus the right technique for every material from leather to foam insoles.
Pick one method that fits your shoes and try it this weekend. Whether you combine traditional solutions like vinegar and baking soda with modern products like cedar inserts, or stick to simple soap and water, you're adding months or even years to your shoes' life.
Your feet (and wallet) will thank you when those favorite sneakers or work shoes stay fresh and comfortable instead of heading to the trash. Start with your smelliest pair, because you've got nothing to lose but the funk.
Reference:
https://ciriscience.org/ieq-measurement/study-reveals-high-bacteria-levels-on-footwear/