Thrifting the perfect pair of sneakers for $15 instead of $150 is the best feeling, but those pre-loved kicks need some serious TLC before they hit your feet.

Proper cleaning is about keeping your feet healthy and making those thrifted treasures last for years.

Whether you're dealing with stubborn sole stains or need a minor clean-up, there are both traditional methods and game-changing modern solutions that make the job effortless.

Ready to transform your thrifted shoes into fresh, clean favorites? Let's dive into this cleaning guide today!

What to Look for When Buying Thrifted Shoes

Before you buy those thrifted shoes, give them a thorough examination. Begin by pulling out the insoles if possible and check for deep wear patterns or permanent foot shapes pressed into the material.

Next, examine the outside of the shoe for any cracks, tears, or holes that might make them unwearable.

Don't forget to flip them over and look at the bottom. You want to see enough tread left for good grip and make sure the sole isn't separating from the shoe.

Watch out for this major warning sign: if the shoes smell really bad, walk away.

Strong odors often mean there's a fungal problem that's difficult to fix. However, if you spot shoes with just surface dirt, scuff marks, or stained soles, these are excellent candidates for SneakERASERS shoe cleaners that can bring them back to life.

Light surface issues are actually wonderful opportunities since you can restore them easily and get an amazing deal.

Bringing Socks for Fitting

You can bring a clean pair of socks when shopping for thrifted shoes. This protects your feet from germs and bacteria that might be lurking inside those pre-owned shoes.

Many thrift stores actually require you to wear socks when trying on footwear for health reasons.

Clean socks also help you get the right fit. When you try on shoes barefoot, your feet can slip around inside, making it hard to tell if the size is actually correct.

With socks on, you'll know exactly how the shoes will feel when you wear them normally at home.

This simple step can save you from buying shoes that end up being too big or too small once you put your regular socks on.

How to Prepare Your Thrifted Shoes Before You Clean Them

Begin by taking out the shoelaces and removable insoles. This makes cleaning much easier and more thorough.

Next, stuff the shoes with shoe trees or crumpled newspaper to help them keep their shape while you clean.

Use a soft brush to sweep away any loose dirt, dust, or debris from both the inside and outside of the shoes before you begin the deeper cleaning process.

Set up your cleaning space in a well-ventilated area like a garage, basement, or outside where you have good airflow.

Gather all your cleaning supplies before you start, including your SneakERASERS sponges if you have any.

Having everything ready to go will make the whole process smoother and help you avoid making a mess while searching for supplies with dirty hands.

The Different Ways to Clean Your Shoes by Shoe Material

Canvas and Fabric Sneakers

Canvas and fabric sneakers are pretty forgiving when it comes to cleaning.

1. Begin by hand washing them with warm water and a mild detergent. Dish soap works well for this.

2. Create a soapy mixture and use a cloth or soft brush to scrub the fabric gently.

3. For those stubborn stains and hard-to-reach spots around the seams, use an old toothbrush and work the soap into the problem areas with small circular motions.

If your canvas shoes are heavily soiled and don't have any delicate details like leather trim or special decorations, you can actually place them in the washing machine.

Use the gentle cycle with cold water and a small amount of detergent. Remove the laces first and maybe add some towels to prevent the shoes from banging around too much during the wash.

If you've picked up thrifted athletic shoes that have been through muddy conditions, check out our detailed guide on how to clean muddy shoes for specialized techniques that work on heavily soiled footwear.

SneakERASERS Method for Canvas Soles and Midsoles:

SneakERASERS make cleaning canvas shoe soles incredibly simple. Start with the white side of the sponge to tackle everyday dirt, scuff marks, and grime on white soles. Just swipe gently and watch the marks disappear.

When you hit delicate surfaces, flip to the orange side, which can handle dirt spots without being too harsh on the material.

The best part about SneakERASERS is that they only need a little water to activate and can clean multiple shoes before you need to replace them. Just ask our customers!

They're perfect for quick touch-ups when you notice a scuff mark, or for completely restoring thrifted shoe to look almost brand new.

Keep a pack handy for maintaining your canvas sneakers whenever they need a refresh. If you're wondering about the lifespan of your cleaning sponges, learn more about how long SneakERASERS last to maximize your investment.

For Mesh and Fabric Upper Cleaning

When your canvas or fabric sneakers have dirt that's really worked its way into the material, regular scrubbing might not be enough.

That's where our SneakERASERS SOAK comes in handy for deep cleaning the upper parts of your shoes.

This product is specifically designed to get into mesh materials and fabric surfaces where dirt likes to hide and stick around.

SneakERASERS SOAK is particularly effective at pulling out embedded dirt that's been ground into the fabric over time.

Instead of just cleaning the surface like regular wiping, it actually penetrates deeper into the material to lift out grime that makes your shoes look dingy.

This makes it perfect for thrifted shoes that might have months or years of built-up dirt in the fabric.

If you've scored some thrifted running shoes, they might need specialized care due to their technical materials and construction. Our comprehensive guide on how to clean running shoes covers the unique challenges of athletic footwear maintenance.

Leather Shoes

Leather shoes need gentle care, so begin with a mild soap and water solution–think 2-3 drops of dish soap in a small bowl of water.

The important thing is to use minimal moisture since leather can get damaged if it soaks up too much water.

Dip a soft cloth into the soapy water, wring it out well, and gently wipe down the leather surfaces. Work in small sections and avoid scrubbing hard or letting water sit on the leather.

After cleaning, you must apply a leather conditioner to keep the material soft and prevent it from cracking or drying out.

Synthetic Shoes

Thrifted shoes using synthetic materials are the easiest type of shoe to clean because they can handle more aggressive cleaning than leather or suede.

1. Mix warm water with a regular laundry detergent or dish soap to create a sudsy cleaning solution.

2. This combination works effectively because synthetic materials like fake leather, plastic, and rubber aren't as delicate as natural materials.

Use a soft cloth or brush dipped in your soapy water to scrub away dirt and grime. You can apply more pressure with synthetic shoes since they won't crack or get damaged like real leather might.

Work the soap into any stained areas and rinse with clean water when you're done. Synthetic materials dry quickly, which makes the whole cleaning process much faster and easier.

Cleaning Synthetic Shoes with SneakERASERS

Since synthetic materials are so durable, feel free to swipe away with a SneakERASERS sponge more confidently than you would on delicate material.

The dual-sided sponges work especially well on synthetic soles and midsoles, where most of the dirt and scuff marks tend to build up.

Since synthetic materials don't absorb moisture the way natural materials do, the pre-moistened sponges can work their magic without you worrying about water damage or discoloration.

For those persistent marks that seem impossible to remove, our detailed tutorial on how to get scuff marks off shoes provides advanced techniques for even the most stubborn stains.

Cleaning Thrifted Shoelaces

Always remove the laces from your shoes before you begin cleaning. This makes it much easier to clean both the shoes and the laces properly.

Dirty shoelaces can make even freshly cleaned shoes look grimy, so don't skip this step.

Trying to clean shoes with the laces still in them means you'll miss spots and won't get into all the eyelets and tongue areas where dirt loves to hide.

For heavily soiled shoelaces, SneakERASERS SOAK works great to get them looking fresh again.

This deep-cleaning solution can handle the embedded dirt and grime that regular washing might leave behind.

After cleaning your laces, ensure they air dry completely before putting them back in your shoes. Wet laces can create moisture problems and even cause odors or mold if you're not careful.

How to Disinfect and Sanitize Your Thrifted Shoes

The inside of thrifted shoes needs serious disinfection since you don't know what germs might be lurking there.

A simple 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle works well for killing bacteria and neutralizing odors.

Spray it inside the shoes and let it air dry. For delicate materials that might get damaged by vinegar, dab some rubbing alcohol on a cloth and wipe down the interior surfaces instead.

You can also buy antibacterial sprays that are made specifically for shoes, which often work faster and smell better than homemade solutions.

For the most thorough disinfection, consider investing in a UV shoe sanitizer that uses ultraviolet light to kill germs, bacteria, and fungi.

These devices are especially helpful if you buy a lot of thrifted shoes or if someone in your family has had foot fungus problems before.

UNCONVENTIONAL: The Freezer Method

This unconventional technique sounds strange, but actually works: put your thrifted shoes in sealed plastic bags and stick them in the freezer overnight.

The extreme cold kills most bacteria and fungi that cause bad smells and foot problems.

Use heavy-duty freezer bags or even double-bag them to keep your shoes from touching your food and to prevent any odors from spreading in your freezer.

This method is especially effective for eliminating stubborn odors that won't go away with regular cleaning.

The freezing temperature basically shocks the bacteria to death, which stops them from creating those nasty smells.

Remember to let the shoes thaw completely and air dry before wearing them. Nobody wants to put on frozen shoes!

This technique works best when combined with other cleaning methods, not as a standalone solution.

What Should You Do About the Insoles?

Remove the insoles and wash them separately from the shoes whenever you can.

Most insoles can be scrubbed with soap and water, or even placed in the washing machine if they're heavily contaminated.

This gives you a chance to clean them thoroughly and get rid of any bacteria or odors that have built up over time.

If the insoles are heavily worn, cracked, or have permanent stains and smells, discard them and buy new ones. Fresh insoles will make your thrifted shoes way more comfortable and hygienic.

For a simple odor fix, sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes and let it sit for 8-12 hours before shaking it out.

The baking soda soaks up moisture and neutralizes bad smells naturally. You can also sprinkle some on the insoles themselves if they're removable.

This trick works wonderfully as regular maintenance too, not just for thrifted shoes. Do it once a month to keep all your shoes smelling fresh.

How to Dry Your Shoes After Cleaning Them

After cleaning your thrifted shoes, stuff them with crumpled newspaper to help them keep their shape and soak up extra moisture from inside.

The newspaper acts like a sponge and prevents your shoes from shrinking or getting weird creases as they dry.

Change out the newspaper after 2-3 hours if it gets really wet, and keep stuffing them until they're completely dry.

Find a spot with good air flow but away from direct heat sources like radiators, space heaters, or hair dryers.

A garage, basement, or covered porch works well. If you cleaned leather shoes, keep them out of direct sunlight too, since the sun can cause leather to crack or fade.

Be patient and give your shoes 24-48 hours to dry completely (leather may take longer in humid conditions). Rushing the process with heat will damage them and might make them shrink or warp.

If you've thrifted some climbing shoes, they require special attention during the drying process due to their unique construction. Check out our specialized guide on how to clean climbing shoes for techniques that preserve their performance features.

What to Avoid

Never try to speed up the drying process with hair dryers, heaters, or any other direct heat sources.

Heat can cause shoes to shrink, warp, or crack, especially leather ones. It might seem like a good idea when you're excited to wear your thrifted finds, but you'll end up ruining shoes that could have lasted for years.

The same goes for putting them in the clothes dryer, which can damage both the shoes and your dryer.

Most importantly, don't wear your shoes until they're completely dry inside and out. Wet shoes create the ideal environment for bacteria and fungus to grow, which means bad smells and possible foot infections.

Wearing damp shoes can cause blisters and make the shoes lose their shape permanently. It's better to wait an extra day than to deal with smelly, uncomfortable shoes or athlete's foot.

Why SneakERASERS Makes Thrifted Shoe Cleaning Easier

SneakERASERS make cleaning thrifted shoes so much simpler because you don't need to buy a bunch of different products.

There's no mixing soaps, no hunting for brushes, and no harsh chemicals that might damage your shoes.

Use the white side for everyday dirt and the orange side for tougher stains. Plus, they're small enough to throw in your bag, so you can clean scuff marks wherever you are.

Make Your Thrifted Shoes Look New Again

Those amazing thrifted shoes sitting in your closet probably looked pretty rough when you first brought them home

Scuffed soles, embedded dirt, and that unmistakable "used" appearance. Now you know exactly how to transform any thrift store find into fresh, clean shoes that look almost brand new.

Whether you're dealing with canvas sneakers, leather dress shoes, or synthetic materials, you've got both traditional cleaning methods and modern solutions like SneakERASERS to tackle any mess.

The key to keeping your thrifted treasures looking great is regular maintenance. Don't wait until they're super dirty to clean them.

With the right approach and tools like SneakERASERS for quick touch-ups, maintaining secondhand shoes becomes simple and effective, proving that sustainable fashion doesn't mean sacrificing style or cleanliness.

You're making a smart choice for both your wallet and the planet by giving pre-loved shoes a second life.