How to Sanitize & Clean Thrifted Shoes

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Make your secondhand shoes germ and odor free with these simple tips

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Sanitizing & Disinfecting Used Shoes

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Washing Used Shoes

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Deodorizing Used Shoes

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

If you've discovered your perfect pair of shoes at a thrift store or rummage sale, they may need a little bit of TLC before you can wear them. Secondhand shoes might contain germs, bacteria, or fungal spores that can cause smelly odors or even infection. Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to easily disinfect and deodorize used shoes with chemicals like rubbing alcohol or bleach, or with natural household cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. In this article, we’ll show you the best and easiest ways to sanitize, clean, and deodorize your new, thrifted shoes so you'll be walking around in style in no time!

Things You Should Know

Spray the insides of your shoes with 70% rubbing alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide, then rub the chemical into the shoe with a clean cloth. Let the shoes air dry.
For a natural disinfectant, spray the insides of the shoes with white or apple cider vinegar, then wipe them down. Let the shoes air dry before wearing.
To deodorize, leave baking soda or scented dryer sheets inside your shoes overnight and remove before wearing.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Sanitizing & Disinfecting Used Shoes

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1
Spray the insides, outsides, and insoles with 70% rubbing alcohol. If your shoes are at all damp, let them completely air dry before spraying. Remove the insoles and spray them until they’re saturated, then wipe them down with a clean cloth and let them air dry. Then, spray the insides and outsides of both shoes and use a clean cloth to wipe and rub the alcohol into the shoe material.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Let the shoes air dry completely before replacing the insoles and wearing them.
- Hardy shoes like canvas or sneakers can be saturated with rubbing alcohol. For more delicate materials like suede, leather, or heels, use a fine mist of alcohol and wipe them very gently.
- Alternatively, use rubbing alcohol wipes instead of a spray.
2
Spray a bleach and water mixture to disinfect the inside of your shoes. Bleach is a powerful chemical, which makes it a great tool for disinfecting shoes. Mix 1 part bleach and 5 parts water in a small spray bottle, then spritz the insides of both shoes (remove and spray the insoles separately). Let the shoes air dry completely before wearing them—both germs and odors should be gone!^{[2]XResearch source}
- Unless your shoes are white, only spray bleach on the inside of your shoes. Otherwise, they could get bleach stains on the outside.
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3
Spritz the insides of your shoes with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Pour the peroxide into a small spray bottle (if it didn’t come in one already), and spritz all over the insides of your shoes. Grab a clean cloth and gently wipe the insides to spread the peroxide evenly, then allow the shoes to air dry completely. Spray and wipe the insoles separately.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent, so do not spray it on the outsides of your shoes unless they’re white (otherwise, you may end up with discolored patches). It may also discolor the insides of your shoes if they’re very dark.
- Spray and wipe peroxide on the bottoms of your shoes to disinfect and clean them as well.
4
Insert a bacteria-killing UV light into your shoes for about 45 minutes. Antibacterial UV light can kill nearly all germs and fungus that cause odors. Simply insert the light into your shoe, cover the shoe with an opaque bag, and turn on the light for about 45 minutes. Follow the directions on your specific product for the best results.^{[4]XResearch source}
- SteriShoe is a popular and effective UV disinfecting light brand.
- UV treatments are safe for any type of shoe or material.
5
Wipe down or spray your shoes with white or apple cider vinegar. Vinegar is a great natural disinfectant, although it is not as powerful as a chemical like bleach or hydrogen peroxide. To use it, simply spray it inside your shoes or dampen a cloth in it and gently wipe the insides down (treat the insoles separately if they’re removable). Let the shoes air dry completely before wearing.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Alternatively, sprinkle the insides of the shoes with baking powder, then spray them with a mix of equal parts vinegar and water. Rub the insides with a clean cloth, then let the shoes sit for about 12 hours before wiping them again with a clean, damp cloth.
6
Purchase antibacterial disinfecting sprays or wipes to sanitize any shoe. Use an antibacterial spray, such as Lysol or Clorox, to disinfect the inside of your shoes.^{[6]XExpert SourceMarc Sigal
Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Spray the entire insides of your shoes and allow your shoes to dry completely before putting them on. Using an antibacterial spray will disinfect your shoes and help eliminate bad odors, too.
- Also try disinfectants made to use specifically on shoes, such as Mycomist.^{[7]XExpert SourceMarc Sigal
  Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 15 January 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing Used Shoes

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1
Clean the insoles of your shoes with warm water and laundry detergent. Remove the insoles from your shoes and shake off any loose debris. In a small bowl, mix warm water with a few drops of laundry detergent or liquid dish soap. Then, use a sponge, rag, or old toothbrush to scrub away any smell, dirt, or stains clinging to the insoles. Rinse them off with clean water and lay them near a window or on a towel to air dry.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If your insoles are still smelly after they’ve dried, put them in a plastic bag with some baking soda and leave them overnight.
- If the insoles still smell bad after a night of baking soda, soak them for 2-3 hours in a mixture of vinegar and water. Then, wash the insoles again with soap and water to remove the scent of the vinegar.
- If the insoles are leather, do not submerge them completely in water. Scrub them with the least amount of soapy water possible.
2
Use a washing machine on machine washable shoes.^{[9]XExpert SourceMarc Sigal
Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Many shoes are washing machine-safe, including running or gym shoes, sneakers, and shoes made of canvas, mesh, and other fabrics. Remove the laces and tie the ends together to prevent tangling, then toss the laces and both shoes in a mesh laundry bag or old pillow case. Wash on a cold, gentle cycle with your regular detergent. Stuff the shoes with newspaper and let them air dry before replacing the laces or insoles.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Cold water protects the adhesive that holds most shoes together from heat damage.
- If the used shoes are extra smelly, add laundry sanitizer during the rinse cycle to kill odor-causing bacteria (check the product instructions for exact directions).
- Do not machine wash boots, high heels, or shoes made of leather, suede, plastic, rubber, vinyl, or that have bead or buckle embellishments.
3
Wash leather shoes by hand with warm water and detergent. Make a soapy mixture out of warm water and liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, then use a rag or soft brush to gently scrub the shoes.^{[11]XExpert SourceMarc Sigal
Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Once you've scrubbed the shoes with the mixture, get a fresh rag and wipe the shoes down with warm water to rinse the soap away.
- These instructions work for washing general, finished leather. If the shoes are patent leather, Nubuck, or another kind of leather that requires specialty treatment, check the care instructions before cleaning or take them to a professional.^{[12]XResearch source}
4
Clean suede or corduroy shoes with a suede brush (no water). Use an old toothbrush or a suede brush away any loose dirt on the shoes, moving in downward strokes (brushing in one direction helps lift any stains from the material). Then, use a clean suede block eraser to buff out small marks or scuffs. For larger stains, use a microfiber cloth dampened with white vinegar to gently wipe the stain away.^{[13]XResearch source}
- If you used any vinegar, let the shoes air dry away from direct heat or sunlight, then brush them to restore the texture.
- If you're nervous about washing your suede shoes, take them to a professional cleaner.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Deodorizing Used Shoes

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1
Wipe down your shoes with white vinegar. Vinegar is known for getting stubborn odors out of things—shoes included! After washing and drying your shoes, dampen a rag in vinegar and rub them down all over the insides. Wait for the vinegar to evaporate completely before wearing the shoes again (the vinegar smell will fade, but the smelly odor will be completely eliminated).^{[14]XResearch source}
- Alternatively, add a bit of vinegar to a soapy water mixture when washing your shoes.
Baking soda is a great deodorizer, so it's one of the best ways to get smelly odors out of shoes. Pour 2-3 tablespoons (34-51 g) into each shoe, and shake the shoes so that the baking powder spreads out evenly. Let the shoes sit overnight, and then pour the excess baking powder out of your shoes.^{[15]XResearch source}
3
Put dryer sheets in dress shoes or shoes that can’t get wet overnight. Dryer sheets are great for giving clothing a fresh scent, and they're also great for freshening up smelly used shoes. Place 1 or 2 scented dryer sheets in each shoe and leave them there overnight (or up to a few days for extra smelly shoes). Remove the dryer sheets before you put your shoes on.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Dryer sheets work in all kinds of shoes, but this method is especially recommended for dress shoes or shoes made from delicate materials like suede or leather that shouldn’t be soaked in vinegar.

Expert Q&A

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Question
How do you disinfect the inside of your shoes?
Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Answer
You can use an antibacterial spray, such as Lysol or Clorox, to disinfect the inside of your shoes. You can also use disinfectants made to use on shoes, such as Sterishoe and Mycomist.
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