Let’s face it, we’ve all purchased shoes that we regret buying after wearing them for a bit. The truth is, buying shoes can be a complex process because there are so many things to consider. You have so many different brands, features, and designs to think about and you don’t always make the right choice.
What happens if you buy a pair of shoes, take them home, and then wear them once or twice and realize that you don’t like them. Or, maybe they don’t fit right and are hurting your feet. You’ve paid a lot of money for the shoes because shoes are often expensive, and you don’t want to lose that money. The problem is, you can’t return shoes after you have worn them. After you take a pair of shoes home and wear them, the bottom of the shoes show wear because they are dirty.
The good news is, there are ways to clean the bottom of shoes after you’ve worn them so you can still take them back. Not sure how? All you need is a clean toothbrush or rag and one of the five cleaning agents listed below! Keep reading for 6 ways to clean the bottom of shoes so you can return them.
Method 1: Warm Water and Dish Detergent
This works great for leather or rubber shoes. You’ll start with a clean toothbrush and dip it into the powder laundry detergent mixed with some warm water. Use the toothbrush to scrub the bottom of the shoe, but be sure that you don’t scrub so hard you scratch up the sole of the shoe. Once you are satisfied with how clean the soles of the shoe look, use a clean towel and wipe the bottom of the shoe dry.
Method 2: Nail Polish Remover
If you are trying to clean a shoe with colored fabric or a shoe that has mud on the bottom, nail polish remover will not work. For shoes with white, rubber soles, nail polish remover can work as a great cleaning product. Simply soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover. Then, apply the nail polish remover to the soles and sides of the sneaker. Scrub the surfaces thoroughly and once the shoe is clean, use a clean cotton ball to remove the nail polish remover by scrubbing the shoe until the residue is gone.
Method 3: Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a great option for cleaning the bottom of a shoe if it is white. That is because toothpaste is a good whitening agent. Be sure to use white toothpaste that has whitening properties and scrub the bottom of the shoe with it. Then rinse the toothpaste off or wipe it off with a damp cloth. Follow with a dry cloth to completely dry the shoes.
Method 4: Vinegar
Vinegar is another great cleaning agent that can help clean the bottom of your shoe so that you can return them. It is especially great for shoes with grass stains on the bottom. You will not need a toothbrush for this product, just a clean cloth or rag. First, clean off the loose dirt from the sole of the shoe. Then, apply some vinegar to the rag until it is damp but not dripping wet and begin to scrub the bottom of the shoe. Keep rubbing the rag on the sole of the shoe, and wetting it with vinegar as needed, until you are satisfied with how clean it is. When you get to that point, clean the sole off with some water and then wipe it dry with a fresh clean towel.
Method 5: Dish Soap
Dish soap is another good way to clean the sole of your shoe so you can return it. Simply dip a rag in liquid dish soap and scrub the bottom of the shoe until it is clean. After you get the mud and dirt off, wipe the shoe with a wet rag and then dry it with a clean towel.
Method 6: Alcohol Rubbing Pad
If your shoe has grass stains on the bottom, an alcohol rubbing pad is your best bet to get them clean. Simply rub the pad over the sole of the shoe, scrubbing hard until the grass stains come off the sole. You will quickly see the stains fade! Then, just wipe down with water to remove any residue and wipe the shoe dry with a clean towel.
We all know that cleaning shoes is no fun, but with the tricks and tips listed above, you can quickly and easily clean the bottom of shoes so you can return them!