How to Clean the Inside of a Shoe?

To clean the inside of your shoes, you can scrub the insoles with mild detergent and warm water solution, you can spray some rubbing alcohol on the insides,  you can massage distilled white vinegar solution on the soles as well — there are actually a number of ways. We’ll discuss them in a minute!

Have your shoes started to stink badly? Why wouldn’t they when they’re going through so much?  

It’s not that only the outsoles of your shoes have to go through all the wear and tear, the inside of your shoes sometimes has to deal with worse things like a moist environment, perspiration, and an unpleasant odor. So cleaning and deodorizing them is equally important, if not more.

Any kind of shoe, even slippers, may be cleaned with a few supplies and some easy steps. If you follow the right technique, you may leave your shoes smelling almost as good as they did when they were brand new. You can also clean your leather shoes or boots with household items.

In this article, you’ll know how to clean the inside of a shoe, maintain the fresh scent of those smelly shoes, and more! Keep on reading to find out.

How to Clean the Inside of a Shoe (Removable Insoles)

If your shoes have a removable insole, thankfully you’ll be able to deep clean them to make sure they are completely dirt-and-odor free. The best way to clean such shoes is to hand wash them with mild detergent and water, unless the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions specify otherwise. This is because the material of some insoles is prone to damage when repeatedly beaten in a washing machine. Moreover, you can read this article, how to clean non removable insoles to get better Ideas.

shares an effective method to clean the removable shoe insides.

1. Remove the insoles.
2. To make a cleaning paste, combine water and detergent in equal amounts in a small bowl. 
3. Scrub each side of the insole with the paste, paying special attention to the toe and heel areas where the majority of dirt and bacteria tend to build up. You may use a clean, stiff-bristled brush or cloth dipped in soapy water for this.  
4. Rinse them off with cold water and allow them to completely dry in the sun.

Remember:

• If the insides of your shoes become wet somehow, take out the insoles and fill the shoes with paper towels to absorb excess moisture before beginning the cleaning procedure. If the inside of the shoe is overly moist, it will take longer to dry, leave a damp odor, or can even grow bacteria
• Avoid drying your insoles in a dryer, and always make sure they are thoroughly dried before reinserting them in your shoes.

Watch how to clean removable insoles here in this video!

How to Clean the Inside of a Shoe Non-Removable Insoles?

If your shoe insoles cannot be removed, reasonably dry cleaning methods like rubbing alcohol spray rather than a wash will likely yield the best results.

Rubbing alcohol helps the best to clean the non-removable insole of your shoes, according to lifestyle enthusiast Kathryn Walsh. Its disinfecting property kills germs and reduces odors.

1. In a bowl or spray bottle, pour some alcohol. 
2. After that, spray the solution onto your insoles using the spray bottle or wipe the insoles with cotton balls dipped in rubbing alcohol.
3. Let the insides of your shoe air dry after finishing.

As an alternative, you can use white vinegar diluted with water as a sanitizing agent. Thoroughly massage the insides of your shoes with distilled white vinegar solution after dampening a clean cloth or paper towel and allow the shoes to completely air dry.

How to Deodorize the Inside of a Shoe?

To deodorize the inside of your shoes, you can use some simple home supplies like baking soda, vinegar, and tea bags. Here are the methods for banishing unpleasant odors and giving your favorite pair of shoes that brand-new scent once again. 

Baking Soda 

Baking soda has the special power to neutralize the stinky smell from your shoes as well as kill bacteria. Simply sprinkle some baking soda on the inside of your shoes and let them sit overnight. While you sleep, the powder will absorb any extra moisture, leaving the soles clean and dry when you wake up. Take the shoes out in the morning and clean away the leftover baking soda with a cloth.

For a refreshing aroma, Megan Stein advises adding a few drops of essential oil to the baking soda before filling your shoes.

White Vinegar

You can also use white vinegar to neutralize the odor and kill bacteria present on the inside of your shoes. Apply white vinegar to a damp paper towel or cloth towel and rub it all over the inside of your shoes, it will degrade the compound that generates that unpleasant odor. After that let your shoes air-dry completely

Black Tea Bags

Tannins present in black tea have been proven to be quite effective in removing the bacteria found inside shoes. 

Put a few tea bags in a saucepan of boiling water, and then let them simmer for a while. Remove the bags after 5-7 minutes and let the bag cool down. After that, put the boiled tea bags on your shoes, let them there for almost an hour, and remove them afterward. Wipe the insides with a clean to remove excess moisture. 

If your shoes are white or light colored, put unused dry tea bags overnight to get rid of most of the smell.

How to Keep Shoe Insoles From Getting Stinky?

To keep your shoes from getting stinky, you should take your insoles out of your shoes after use every time to allow the air to dry them on both sides. If you perspire a lot, this can be helpful to remove the stink from your shoes to some extent. 

If the soles are non-removable, leave your shoes outdoors or somewhere with enough sunlight and ventilation for a day or two to thoroughly dry them out. The UV rays from the sun will destroy the bacteria, and the fresh air will remove the odor.

Another method is to wear socks with your shoes, which can help to wick away moisture and lessen the probability of your shoes forming a foul smell.

Also, to give each pair of shoes a chance to dry and air out between usage, avoid wearing the same pair of shoes on consecutive days. 

Final Thoughts

By all means, you must properly clean and maintain the inside and insole of your shoes for the sake of your foot health. Give your shoes time to air out between wearings to help minimize odor buildup. Don’t wear your shoes until they are completely crisp and dry after the wash. And  you can also keep baking soda sachets or activated charcoal deodorizers in your shoes from time to time to absorb away odors. 

Hope we could demonstrate to you how to clean the inside of a shoe effectively. Now it’s time for you to get to work without delay!