DIY Shoe Sanitizer

Routine care with household items helps keep your shoes looking and smelling new.

Clean shoes are an important part of every respectable wardrobe. However, without proper care, even relatively new and expensive shoes can start looking old and worn out. Though there are many products on the market designed to prolong the life of your shoes, you can also take care of them using items you already have. Whether using commercial products or at-home solutions, routine maintenance is the key to keeping your shoes fresh.

Things You'll Need

• Cornstarch
• Baking soda
• Lemon oil
• Clove oil
• Rosemary oil
• Rubber eraser
• White-wall tire cleaner
• Toothbrush
• Dish soap
• Newspaper
• White vinegar
• Clean cloths

Instructions

Deodorizing

1. Mix together 6 tbsp. of cornstarch, 3 tbsp. of baking soda, 20 drops of lemon oil, 20 drops of clove oil and 10 drops of rosemary oil.

2. Rub the mixture into the soles and inside walls of your shoes.

3. Allow shoes to dry before wearing again.

4. Sprinkle baking soda in your shoes in between wearing, to maintain their cleanliness. Tap out the baking soda before putting your feet in, if your feet are prone to sweating.

Shoe Cleaning

1. Use a rubber eraser to remove stains from leather shoes.

2. Place rubber shoes and flip-flops on the top shelf of your dishwasher to clean and sanitize.

3. Use white-wall tire cleaner to clean white soles of shoes.

4. Clean sneakers and canvas shoes using a toothbrush, water and liquid dish soap. Scrub gently with the toothbrush to remove stains. Thoroughly rinse all the soap off the shoes, and allow to air dry completely. Stuff newspaper in your shoes, while drying, to help them keep their shape.

5. Dip a clean cloth into white vinegar, and rub the shoes to remove salt stains during the winter.

Polishing Shoes

1. Mix one part lemon oil to two parts olive oil.

2. Rub the mixture evenly across the shoes, using a clean cloth, and allow them to sit for a few minutes to allow the mixture to soak in.

3. Use a clean cloth to buff the shoes dry.

References

• Chemical Free Cleaning Book: Recipes
• Frugal Living Tips: Shoe Care
• Dilla Maids: Cleaning Shoes