How to Sanitize Shoes – Best Ways to Clean Your Shoes

Many people become extra conscious about hygiene because of the yearly winter seasons where everyone gets a cold. If you know how to disinfect and sanitize your items, including shoes and clothing, you can keep the virus and germs from spreading. 

In this post, we will talk about how to sanitize shoes. While it is relatively easy to disinfectant, sanitize soft goods, and apparel such as towels and sheets in the machine, washing footwear and shoes are trickier to clean safely due to construction and layers.

According to Mary E. Schmidt – a disease specialist, some viruses and bacterial strains can live on your shoes or footwear for at least three to five days. The reason why your footwear catches the germs of infectious diseases is the material that is used to make them.

However, by taking some precautionary steps and using easy-to-follow tips to disinfect shoes, you can help you reduce the viruses and bacteria on the shoes.

If you have never tried sanitizing your shoes before, we have you covered here. Keep on reading to find out some easy ways to not only disinfect your shoes but also keep them in perfect condition.

 How to Sanitize Shoes

As mentioned above, you can use various ways to clean and sanitize your shoes. You can rely on different materials to clean the inner area, the upper part, and sole. However, you must use a sanitizing method that suits the material and type of shoes. Choosing the wrong sanitizing method will clean but may damage your shoes.

Moreover, do not forget to sanitize the sole of the shoes as it can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Shoe sole can easily hold stains, moisture, and dirt that can produce an unpleasant odor and more germs. 

You can wash the shoes if they are leather made with a mild detergent to eliminate the dirt and smell. Always dry your shoes in the sunlight after washing them.

If washing your shoes doesn’t eliminate the smell, you can try some DIY methods to get rid of the gross odor. Using baking soda for washing, for instance, is an effective method many people use to disinfect and deodorize the shoes.

Baking soda is a tried and tested detergent that people have been using as a cleanser for a long time. It has not only powerful antibacterial properties but also components that soften the water. That means you can wash the shoes even with a small quantity.

All you need is to put a little bit of baking soda on the shoe sole and wrap it in the plastic bag for half an hour. Rewash the bottom of your shoes with water and soap to keep them in a hygienic condition.

Sanitizing Used Shoes

Buying a pair of “used shoes” is not a bad idea if you get a good price value and know-how to sanitize or disinfect them before using. Know that shoes are designed or made with a wide variety of materials such as suede, leather, and several other delicate and fragile materials. 

You should not wash footwear made with delicate and soft material in the washing machine. The quick spin of the washing machine may damage the shoes.

You can make a soapy mixture with warm water and wipe off your shoes gently. Do not try to scrub the shoes with anything made of hard material such as a rag. Rinse them after cleaning with soapy mixture and let them dry.

Washing leather shoes with hands to disinfect them is also a good idea. Use a soft-bristled brush or rag to remove the stains. Rub it gently with the soapy mixture, detergent, or a natural disinfectant. If your shoes are made of suede, make sure you clean them in a downward direction. It will help you remove the dark stains easily.

 Disinfecting and Sanitizing Shoes with Chemicals

Using chemicals to sanitize footwear is one of the best ways to kill bacteria and viruses that can cause diseases. Alcohol is a powerful cleaning agent that comes with antibacterial properties to eliminate microorganisms and smell. 

Soak your dirty shoes in a bowl of rubbing alcohol for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse it. However, if your shoes are made of sensitive material, use a very little quantity of rubbing alcohol and rinse with water gently.

To disinfect the sole of shoes with chemicals, you can use water mixture and bleach. The colorless solution contains fluorescent whiteners and cleaning enzymes that can effectively disinfect the sole of your shoes.

Bleach is excellent for sanitizing and cleaning white shoes. Many people use bleach sprays to clean the non-white shoes. Although spraying is an excellent idea, you must do it carefully as bleach can leave stains on your shoes and burn your skin.

Using Antibacterial Spray to Disinfect the Shoes

Various antibacterial sprays are easy to use and can keep your shoes in hygienic and healthy condition. Make sure you buy a high-quality spray that is not hazardous for human health. Plus, it is essential to let spray liquid dry after applying it. 

Antibacterial sprays often include chemicals and contents that can cause or worsen allergies. That is to say; if you have any allergies from antibacterial sprays, it is better to avoid using them.

Using Vinegar to Deodorize Your Shoes

If the smell still persists in the shoes after sanitizing them, using vinegar is an excellent option to get rid of the stubborn odor. What you can do is add 2 to 3 tablespoons of vinegar and lemon in the soapy water you have prepared to wash the shoes. 

Vinegar is a natural ingredient that can eliminate any bad odor. Plus, it has light acidic properties that reduce smell in a short period of time.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, Dirty shoes are home to bacteria and fungi. Sanitizing and disinfecting shoes is essential if you want to avoid different kinds of feet infections, allergies, and diseases. The given methods to sanitize shoes are simple, inexpensive, and useful to kill the germs and keep your footwear clean, hygienic, and fresh.