How to Disinfect Used Shoes

Co-authored by Marc Sigal

Last Updated: September 9, 2022 References Approved

The perfect pair of shoes can come in different shapes, sizes, and states of cleanliness. If you've discovered your perfect pair of shoes at a thrift store or at a rummage sale, they may need a little bit of TLC before you can wear them. If you're willing to put in a bit of effort to disinfect your new shoes, you'll be walking around in style in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing the Shoes

1
Clean the insoles of your shoes. When it comes time to wash your shoes, remove the insoles and wash them first. In a small bowl, prepare a mixture of warm water and laundry detergent. To wash the shoe insoles, use a sponge or a rag to scrub away the smell, dirt, and stains. Rinse the insoles off with warm water when you've finished scrubbing them with your detergent mixture. Lay them near a window or on a towel to dry.
- If your insoles are still smelly after washing them, put them in a plastic bag with some baking soda and leave it overnight.
- If the insoles still smell bad after a night of baking soda, soak them for 2-3 hours in a mixture of vinegar and water. Then, wash the insoles again with soap and water to remove the scent of the vinegar.^{[1]
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2
Use a washing machine on machine washable shoes.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Many shoes can be washed in the washing machines, including running shoes, sneakers, and most cloth shoes. If your shoes are machine washable, wash them in warm water with strong detergent. After washing, let your shoes air-dry instead of putting them in the dryer.
- Remove the shoe laces before putting your shoes in the washer.
- If your shoes are made of suede, leather, plastic, or any other delicate material, do not put them in the washing machine.^{[3]
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3
Wash your shoes by hand if they are made from nicer materials. If you are washing nicer sneakers or shoes made of more delicate materials, wash them by hand instead of in the washing machine. Make a soapy mixture out of warm water and liquid laundry detergent. Use a rag or a soft brush to gently scrub the shoes with this mixture.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Once you've scrubbed the shoes with the mixture, get a fresh rag and wipe the shoes down with warm water to rinse the soap away.
- Leather shoes can be washed by hand. Use a rag to gently scrub the shoes with your soap and water mixture.
- Suede shoes can be washed by hand, but you must be careful. Use a rag or soft bristled brush, and clean the suede in downward strokes. Brushing/cleaning the suede in one direction will help to lift stains from the material. If you're nervous about washing your suede shoes, then you should take them to a professional cleaner.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Chemicals to Disinfect the Shoes

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Soak your sneakers in rubbing alcohol. If you need to get rid of smell and bacteria, turn to rubbing alcohol for your solution. If your shoes are sneakers or made of cloth, soak the shoes in a tub or large bowl of rubbing alcohol. If your shoes are made of more sensitive material, gently scrub them down with rubbing alcohol using a rag.
2
Use a bleach and water mixture to disinfect the inside of your shoes. Bleach is a powerful chemical, which makes it a great tool for disinfecting shoes. Unless your shoes are white, be careful to only spray bleach on the inside of your shoes, otherwise they could get bleach stains on the outside. Use a small spray bottle to spray bleach on the insides of your shoes to disinfect them.^{[6]
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Purchase antibacterial sprays to sanitize all types of shoes. You can use an antibacterial spray, such as Lysol or Clorox, to disinfect the inside of your shoes.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Spray the entire insides of your shoes, and allow your shoes to dry completely before putting them on. Using an antibacterial spray will disinfect your shoes and help eliminate bad odors.
- You can also use disinfectants made to use on shoes, such as Sterishoe and Mycomist.^{[8]
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  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Deodorizing Your Shoes

1
Use vinegar to deodorize your shoes. Vinegar is known for getting stubborn odors out of things – shoes included. When washing your shoes with soap and water, add a bit of vinegar to the mixture. After washing your shoes, you can also rub them down with pure white vinegar and a rag. The vinegar smell will fade, but the smelly odor will be completely eliminated.
2
Use baking soda to deodorize your shoes. Baking soda is a great deodorizer, so it's one of the best ways to get smelly odors out of shoes. Pour 2-3 tablespoons into each shoe, and shake the shoes so that the baking powder spreads out evenly. Let the shoes sit overnight, and then pour the excess baking powder out of your shoes.
3
Put dryer sheets in your dress shoes. Dryer sheets are great for giving clothing a fresh scent, and they're also great for freshening up smelly used shoes. Place 2 dryer sheets in each shoe and leave them there for a few days. Remove the dryer sheets before you put your shoes on. This should greatly improve the scent of your used shoes.
- You can place dryer sheets in all types of shoes, but this method is particularly recommended for dress shoes that cannot be soaked in vinegar.^{[9]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you disinfect the inside of your shoes?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

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You can use an antibacterial spray, such as Lysol or Clorox, to disinfect the inside of your shoes. You can also use disinfectants made to use on shoes, such as Sterishoe and Mycomist.