How do you clean your shoes effectively?

Here are our tips for effectively cleaning different types of footwear and protecting them from stains and damp.

Shoe care : 7 golden rule

1. Waterproof your pairs before wearing them and remember to repeat the operation regularly.

2. Use shoe trees and store your pairs carefully.

3. If your pair has got wet, leave it to dry in a dark place away from any source of heat.

4. To protect your sandals, avoid sea water, rain and sand.

5. Avoid wearing the same pair of sandals two days in a row.

6. We recommend that you have a skate put on your leather soles so that they last longer. This will also prevent them from slipping!

7. Do not put your pair of shoes in the washing machine, as this could damage the entire shoe.

Cleaning leather shoes

Leather is a noble material that requires specific care depending on its type.

Smooth leather

Waterproof your leather shoes before your first use to protect them from stains and rain. After several uses, dust off your pair and apply a nourishing lotion with a chamois. To revive the colour of the leather, you can apply a shoe polish in the same colour.

Patent leather

Patent leather does not require any special care before being worn.

As the leather is coated with a lacquer, care is very simple:

Use a damp or dry cloth to dust your shoes. You can then apply a special lacquer spray to bring out all the shine and prevent the lacquer from cracking.

Suede leather

Suede leather is fragile and requires special care: 

Waterproof your leather shoes before your first use to protect them from stains and rain. After several uses, you can use a special brush or an old toothbrush to remove dust and/or stains. Remember to waterproof your pair regularly!

Crackled or iridescent leather

Crackled or iridescent leather is more fragile than other leathers and requires special care:

Waterproof your leather shoes before your first use to protect them from stains and rain. Never brush your shoes! This could irreversibly damage the leather. You can use a damp chamois to clean your leather.

Printed leather

Printed leather is more fragile than other leathers and requires special care:

Waterproof your leather shoes before your first use to protect them from stains and rain. Never brush your pair of shoes! This could irreversibly damage the leather. You can use a damp chamois to clean your leather. Using a clean sponge soaked in clear water, wash the areas affected by the stains.

Cleaning fabric or canvas shoes

It's easy to look after your textile or canvas shoes, just follow our advice below:

Don't put your pair of shoes straight into the washing machine, as this could damage the soles. Clean the stain with a damp cloth and a little Marseille soap. To clean the soles of your sneakers, use an old toothbrush with a little white toothpaste. Gently scrub the rubber without touching the canvas or leather. Then gently rinse off the toothpaste with a damp cloth.

Cleaning suede shoes

Suede requires delicate care to avoid damaging it:

Remove dust with a soft brush, then use a protective spray. For stains, use a suede eraser or a slightly dampened soft cloth. Then leave the shoes to dry naturally at room temperature.

Cleaning nubuck shoes

Nubuck requires special cleaning to preserve its velvety appearance.

Brush gently with a special brush, then apply a waterproofing spray. For stains, use a nubuck eraser or a soft cloth slightly dampened with water. Leave to air dry at room temperature.

Cleaning straw shoes

Straw shoes need to be cleaned gently to avoid damaging them.

Brush gently to remove dust, then dry clean. Avoid water and store them in a dry place away from direct light to preserve their appearance.

Cleaning synthetic fur shoes

Synthetic fur is very fragile and requires special care:

In cold (or barely warm) water mixed with Marseille soap. Knead and rub your synthetic fur very lightly, then rinse in clear (and always cold) water. Don't wring it out. Dry it between two towels, then lay it flat in the open air. At the end of the operation, brush the bristles to loosen them and restore volume and softness to your shoe.

Cleaning plastic shoes

PVC does not require any special care before being worn. To care for your PVC (or rubber) boots, follow our advice below:

If the boots are very dirty, clean them with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. For everyday boot care, use a sponge soaked in water and a few drops of washing-up liquid, wrung out well. Speed up the drying of rubber boots by blowing warm air through them with a hair dryer. To give your boots a new shine, use a cloth coated with beeswax to polish them.

Cleaning white shoes

Cleaning white shoes, whatever the material, requires specific methods to remove stains and dirt without damaging the shoes. Here are a few simple steps to keep your white shoes spotless:

1. Baking soda and vinegar method 

• Mix 3 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to form a paste.
• Use an old toothbrush to apply the paste to white canvas shoes, rubbing gently to remove dirt.
• Leave the paste to dry before brushing and wiping with a damp cloth.

2. Soapy water method 

• Mix warm water with washing-up liquid to clean white leather shoes.
• Use a toothbrush to apply the soapy solution to the shoes, then wipe them with a damp cloth.

3. Laundry detergent method 

• Use 1 tablespoon of washing detergent with warm water for mesh or fabric shoes.
• Apply the solution to the shoes, rubbing with a cloth or toothbrush for stubborn stains.

4. Bleach method 

• Use a bleach pen for deep stains or a diluted bleach solution to whiten white shoelaces.

5. Toothpaste method 

• Use an old toothbrush and white toothpaste to scrub the stains from your shoes.

Waterproof your shoes

To protect your shoes from water and stains, use a waterproofing product specifically designed for the material used to make your shoes.

Deodorise shoes

There are several simple tips for quickly freshening up the inside of your shoes using ingredients you have at home. Here are some quick tips for removing unpleasant odours from your shoes:

1. White vinegar: Use a cloth soaked in white vinegar to rub the inside of your shoes. The vinegar will help eliminate the compounds responsible for the unpleasant odour. Be sure to let the vinegar dry completely before putting your shoes back on.

2. Rubbing alcohol: Spray the inside of your shoes with rubbing alcohol to kill odour-causing bacteria. Leave to dry completely.

3. Baking soda: Sprinkle a little baking soda inside your shoes and leave overnight to absorb odours. Be sure to remove the baking soda before wearing your shoes again.

4. Charcoal: Place charcoal briquettes or cedar shavings in a sock and put it in your shoes overnight to eliminate odours.

5. Soap: Put a piece of soap in each shoe and leave for several hours to absorb unpleasant odours.

6. Cotton wools: Soak a few cotton wools in essential oil and place them inside your shoes overnight for a pleasant scent.

7. Softening sheets: Insert one or two good quality fabric softener sheets in your shoes overnight for a fresh scent.

Good or bad idea to clean your shoes in the washing machine?

It is not advisable to clean all shoes in the washing machine, as this can damage them. Please follow the specific instructions for each type of shoe.

Keep your shoes tidy to avoid stains

Using a hanging shoe organiser

Keep your shoes off the floor by using a hanging shoe organiser. Choose from different types, such as canvas cubes that store easily next to your hanging clothes or pockets that you can attach to the inside of your wardrobe door. For boots, use specially designed hangers to keep them in shape and off the floor.

Organise your shoes with shoe racks

Shoe shelves are a great way to make the most of the space in your wardrobe. Choose from different styles, such as standard shelves that store your shoes vertically, narrow pivoting racks or models that you can attach to your cupboard door. Place a shoe rack near the main entrance to your home to store your most frequently used shoes, such as flip-flops, running shoes or children's shoes.

Install shelves to store your shoes

Shelves are always a great way to maximise space. Install shelves on the walls of your wardrobe to make use of the space available on the sides and underneath hanging garments. If you can't install shelves because of your tenancy agreement, use a small bookcase to organise your shoes.

Store your shoes in their boxes

Don't throw away your shoe boxes - they're perfect for organising your less-used shoes. Store shoes in their boxes and stack them on a shelf in your wardrobe. To make it easier to find them, attach a photo of your shoes to the box. If you prefer transparent boxes, make sure they are well lit in your wardrobe or use the photo method.

By following these care tips, you can clean and preserve your Les Tropeziennes by M. Belarbi shoes and keep them in good condition for as long as possible. Take care of your shoes, and they will repay you by remaining beautiful and comfortable.