If you want to clean your shoes, the choice for vinegar may be obvious. Vinegar has a number of properties that can be useful for dirty shoes. For example, vinegar is bactericidal and can even remove unpleasant odors.
I regularly get the question whether it is wise to clean your shoes with vinegar. Is this possible? Or does it just make stains worse? I decided to research cleaning shoes with vinegar. Is this possible or not?
Why clean shoes with vinegar?
As I just mentioned, vinegar has some interesting properties that make it a powerful and natural cleaning agent. It is not for nothing that it is often called ‘cleaning vinegar’.
In theory, it could be a good cleaning agent for cleaning your shoes. For example, you can have an annoying stain on your shoes or they can smell terribly. And yes, vinegar could be the solution. Some common shoe problems:
- Shoes stink
- Dirty stains on shoes
- Sticky shoe soles
- Salt streaks on shoes (in winter months)
These are just a few examples of problems where vinegar could be the solution.
Properties of cleaning vinegar
Why vinegar is often used to clean all kinds of products and parts makes sense when we look at the properties of the product.
- Neutralizes odors
- Can remove grease stains
- Is suitable for limescale
The above advantages are mainly achieved because vinegar is a medium with a high acid value. Because the agent is ‘acidic’, it may not always be suitable for cleaning. In fact, it can even damage something. And of course we don’t want that with our favorite shoes!
Can you clean shoes with vinegar?
Now it’s time for the big question: can you clean shoes with vinegar? Yes! In many cases, vinegar is a safe cleaning agent to remove – especially – stubborn stains from your shoes. You can even make yellowed shoe soles white again with white vinegar.
You can even make yellowed shoe soles white again with white vinegar.
However, vinegar cannot always be used for cleaning shoes. For example, stains on suede shoes can worsen or not all materials are suitable for treatment with cleaning vinegar.
Do not use cleaning vinegar with:
- Stains that are dissolved in the fabric: vinegar can make the stains worse. It can even result in color difference of shoes.
- Non-slippery materials: vinegar can quickly dissolve in the fabric. Due to the high acidity, it can discolor the color.
Some shoes nowadays come with a small extra piece of fabric. This is not for repair (which many people think), but can be used to test cleaning products. I strongly advise you to always double check if vinegar is suitable for your shoes. In addition, it is good to realize that a shoe often consists of different materials.
Step-by-step plan: cleaning shoes with vinegar
If you want to clean your shoes with vinegar, it is smart to ensure a clean working environment. Wash your hands well and use clean materials. Everything at hand? Then you can follow the steps below.
- Fill a small container with vinegar
- Grab a soft, dry cloth
- Rub the shoes (the stains) gently
- Leave your shoes for a few minutes
- Rub the shoes with a soft brush
I advise you to treat the shoes afterwards with a spray that can prevent stains. This is not only better for preventing stains, but can also make your shoes last much longer!
Conclusion: is shoes with vinegar wise?
Vinegar can be a panacea for removing – especially superficial – stains from your shoes. In addition, it can be safely used on smooth materials. Consider, for example, whitening yellowed rubber shoe soles.
Before you just use vinegar, I advise you to test it first. Do you have doubts or do you want additional advice? Feel free to leave a comment below this page so I can help you!
