How to Clean Vintage Shoes

Care for vintage shoes with careful cleaning.

While some may frown on wearing old shoes, quality vintage shoes make fashion lovers smile. Before you step out wearing your stylish shoes, you will need to clean and disinfect them. Because of the fragile nature of your vintage shoes, use caution when cleaning them. Strong cleaners or water can dissolve threads or eat away at fabric. Use care when handling your shoes and keep them stored in a dark closet with little humidity.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls
• Bleach
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Plastic shopping bags
• Insoles
• Stockings
• Cat litter
• Baking soda

Instructions

Clean Outside

1. Dab rubbing alcohol on cotton balls.

2. Wipe the shoes gently with the alcohol. Wipe from top to bottom. This will kill bacteria.

3. Set the shoes in a sunny window for a few hours.

Disinfect Inside

1. Mix ¼ cup of bleach with a cup of water. Pour the mixture in a spray bottle.

2. Cover the outside of the shoes with plastic shopping bags.

3. Spray the mixture inside the shoes.

4. Set the shoes in sunlight and let them dry overnight.

Deodorizing Shoes

1. Deodorize smelly shoes by filling two stockings with a mixture of cat litter and odor absorbing baking soda.

2. Tie the stocking tops.

3. Tuck the stockings in the shoes. Leave them inside overnight and throw them away.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the insoles of the shoes with new insoles.

• Only clean leather shoes with leather cleaner.

References

• Work Chic: How do I clean vintage shoes
• College Fashion: How to Care for Vintage Clothes