We all like sparkling clean shoes, whether white, colored, or leather. But after repeatedly wearing them, shoes get dirty at some point, and then you will likely need to clean them. But if you don’t clean them correctly, you can damage them. So, what is a safe, non-toxic cleaning product that will clean shoes? Can baking soda clean shoes?
Yes, baking soda is an inexpensive, natural, and easily accessible product that will keep your shoes clean, whether white, colored, or leather.
I use baking soda on my shoes, and not only do they get clean, they smell better. With a box of baking soda, it’s easy to clean the grass stains, scuffs, and dirt marks from your shoes and get them back to their original color and smell.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to clean different types of shoes using this fantastic cleaning agent.
But first:
What’s Baking Soda?
Baking soda is an alkaline powder, also known as sodium bicarbonate. Nicholas Leblanc discovered sodium bicarbonate, while John Dwight and his brother-in-law, Dr. Austin Church, revealed its use in baking. The two worked hard to advertise this product and its versatility.
It’s no news that today, almost every household has a box of baking soda for various uses in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. If you don’t have one, you may want to get one.
The only ingredient, sodium bicarbonate (soda ash), comes from the trona stone, a natural mineral. The stone is crushed to ash, evaporated, and processed to make baking soda.
Besides cleaning shoes, baking soda can clean your laundry. Learn how to clean laundry with baking soda when you read our post – Can Baking Soda Clean Clothes?
Using Baking Soda to Clean Dirty Shoes
It’s common to find a pair of white sneakers in someone’s wardrobe, especially during summer, and it feels great to wear them. But white doesn’t stay white for long, and soon you will need to clean them.
That’s where baking soda comes in. The bicarbonate brings back the white of your beloved shoes.
How to Clean Shoes with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Combining baking soda and white vinegar works perfectly in cleaning your stained shoes. Let’s see exactly how this works:
- In a bowl, mix a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda with hot water and stir thoroughly until the mixture forms a thick paste (you can add a teaspoon of baking soda if the mixture is still runny).
- Secondly, use your old toothbrush to spread the paste on your shoe’s fabric. Don’t apply too much pressure, instead, allow it to absorb the paste. Make sure you cover all the exterior with the paste.
- Rinse your toothbrush to ensure the paste doesn’t stick to the bristles
- Keep your shoes in direct sunlight, near a sunny window, or in a well-ventilated room if you can’t keep them outside. Allow them to dry until you can scratch the paste with your fingernail. Three to four hours will be enough.
- Lastly, clap the shoe soles together to remove the dry paste, and use a clean brush to remove any remaining chunks.
How to Clean White Shoes at Home
Most summer sneakers consist of white canvas. It’s fun and games until you step on the freshly mowed grass or mud, or the kids step on them. It might leave you wondering, can baking soda clean white shoes? The answer is yes.
You can get your white shoes bright again using the procedure below:
To clean them, you need a tablespoon of baking soda, half a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide (not a must), and half a tablespoon of warm water.
- Mix the three until a thick paste forms, and use your scrub brush or an old toothbrush to apply the paste on your shoes, especially on the stains.
- Scrub the stains in a circular motion and leave the paste to dry for 30 minutes.
- Clap the soles to remove the dry paste, and rinse the shoes using clean water. A clean sponge or wet rag will work perfectly. Repeat the process until all the stains disappear.
How to Clean Colored Shoes with Baking Soda
The bleaching effect in the bicarbonate of soda makes it risky to use for colored shoes, especially black ones. So be cautious when using it, and follow the tips and instructions below.
Tips and instructions for cleaning your colored shoes:
- Start with removing the inner soles and laces from your shoes and spraying them with water to dampen them.
- Mix equal parts of baking soda and dish soap or Miracle II soap (affiliate link) in a small bowl and make a paste. Use another bowl containing dish soap if you are cleaning darker shoes.
- Use an old toothbrush to scoop the mixture and clean the inside of your shoes. For the dark parts, use plain dish soap to avoid bleaching. If the sole is stained, you can use the mixture.
- Leave the shoes for one hour to allow the cleaning solution to work effectively.
- Rinse your shoes with clean water. You can also use a microfiber cloth to remove the paste.
Which Stains Does Baking Soda Remove?
Baking soda is gentle on most fabrics, and it removes most stains on your shoes including:
- Blood stains
- Grease
- Mud
- Vomit
- Juice stains
What Amount of Baking Soda is Enough to Clean Shoes?
One to two tablespoons of baking soda are enough to clean one shoe. For larger shoes, you may need more baking soda.
Is Soaking Shoes in Baking Soda Okay?
Yes, soaking the shoes in baking soda overnight helps kill bacteria-causing odors.
You can also soak clothes in baking soda. To learn how, read our article – Can Soaking Clothes in Baking Soda Overnight Clean Them?
How to Deodorize Shoes Using Baking Soda
Some people have smelly feet, and the unpleasant odor in their shoes is embarrassing. The best part is baking soda takes care of the outside and inside of your shoes. Not only can baking soda clean shoes, but it also removes odor from them, as it does in the refrigerator.
Follow the following steps to deodorize your favorite shoes.
- First, measure two tablespoons of baking soda and pour it into the heel of your shoe. Bigger shoes will require an additional amount.
- Tilt and shake your shoes to spread the baking soda on the inside of your shoes. Don’t worry if there are lumps and clumps in the shoe. All you need is enough baking soda for your shoes.
- Allow the paste to stay in the shoe for a few hours, and if your shoes are really stinky, you can allow them to stay overnight, absorbing and killing all the bacteria and odor.
- Lastly, tap the remaining baking soda into a trash can or sink and shake the shoe. Traces of baking soda aren’t harmful to your feet or the shoes.
You can often deodorize your sneakers as soon as they start to smell. However, for your leather shoes, you have to wait a month to deodorize them.
Can Baking Soda Clean Leather Shoes?
The answer is yes. Baking soda can remove stubborn stains on leather shoes, too. For instance, sprinkling baking soda on grease stains on your leather shoes will remove the grease, giving your shoes a fresh look.
Additionally, you can use baking soda to remove odor from your leather shoes by sprinkling one or two tablespoons inside your shoes.
Another reason to use baking soda on your leather shoes is that it has the proper PH level that doesn’t destroy or discolor your leather.
Can Baking Soda Destroy Leather Shoes?
Some types of leather are delicate, and the homemade recipes for stain removal don’t work well for them.
You can use baking soda to deodorize your leather shoes on the condition that you don’t do it regularly; once a month is enough. Baking soda can remove the oils in the leather and damage it.
How Long Should Baking Soda Stay on Leather Shoes?
It’s a fact that baking soda is an absorbing agent, and it can drain the oils that keep your leather shoes in shape. Fifteen minutes is enough to deodorize and clean leather products.
Conclusion
Now you have the answer to the question, Can baking soda clean shoes? As you have read, the alkali nature of baking soda will help remove stains on your favorite pair of canvas. It will also keep your shoes from smelling.
For cleaning colored shoes or removing stains, add vinegar or dish soap to the baking soda and follow our cleaning instructions above. For leather shoes, be cautious with how often you use baking soda on them because it can remove moisture from the oils in the leather.
If you are interested in learning what else baking soda can clean in your home, check out our post, Can Baking Soda Clean Drains?
Question: Have you ever used baking soda to clean your shoes?