How to Wash Leather Tennis Shoes
It is perfectly okay to wash your leather tennis shoes in cold water in your washing machine on the gentle cycle. However, tennis shoes washed in this manner will turn dingy over time. There is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your leather tennies soft and looking like new with just a little bit of your time, a soft toothbrush and some Dawn liquid dish soap. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Dawn liquid dish soap
- Soft toothbrush
- Bowl of warm water
- Soft cloth
- Leather conditioner or Murphy's Oil Soap
Instructions
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1
Wipe your leather tennis shoes with a damp soft cloth. This should take most of the dirt and grime off and allow you to more easily pinpoint the trouble spots.
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2
Pour 2 oz. liquid Dawn dish soap into 16 oz. warm water. Stir gently. There is no need to create bubbles since they have nothing to do with cleaning.
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3
Dip a soft toothbrush into the Dawn solution and gently rub your shoes all over in a circular motion. Do not rub too hard--allow the soap and water to do the majority of the work.
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4
Wipe your shoes with a damp cloth and inspect them for any trouble spots. Rewash any areas that are still dirty using your soft toothbrush, rubbing in a circular pattern.
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5
Wipe your shoes once again with a damp cloth.
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6
Set your shoes in the sun to dry. If you are concerned with the sun bleaching your shoes, place a dish towel over them as they dry.
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7
Use a soft cloth to work a commercial leather conditioner or some Murphy's Oil Soap into the leather of your clean and dry shoes to keep them soft and looking like new.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not scrub too hard with your toothbrush. Take your time and go over trouble spots multiple times using gentle pressure and a circular motion.
