How to Clean Sandals

Co-authored by Carroll Kelly and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: April 21, 2022 References

Sandals are a staple of summer, but can easily build up dirt, grime, sweat, and odors. There are several things you can use to clean your sandals, depending on what they are made out of. Regardless of what kind you have, they can easily be restored with a little time and effort.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Grime and Odors

1
Use a bristled brush to remove dirt and grime. If your sandals are covered in dirt or mud, take them outside and use a clean, stiff-bristled brush to get rid of the large chunks. Scrub both the tops of the shoes and the tread to remove as much loose grime as possible.^{[1]
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2
Scrub cloth and canvas sandals with baking soda and water. Mix equal parts baking soda and water in a small container until a paste forms. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the mixture onto the sandal to remove grime and odors. Rinse the paste off with cool, running water, then use an old towel to absorb excess liquid from the sandals.^{[2]
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3
Wipe down leather sandals with vinegar and water. Soak a sponge in equal parts water and distilled white vinegar and use it to scrub down the outside of your leather sandals. This will remove surface dirt and grime without damaging the leather. Once they are dry, apply a leather conditioner to keep your sandals in top shape.^{[3]
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4
Use rubbing alcohol and fine-grit sandpaper to clean suede sandals. Tough stains can be removed with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol, but water stains suede so do your best not to get them wet! Gently sand the suede with fine-grit sandpaper to remove dirt and grime. Be careful not to sand all the suede away—a light buffing will do.^{[4]
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5
Put rubber flip flops in the washing machine. Rubber flip flops can be washed all at once with minimal effort. Set your washing machine to the delicate setting and use cold water. Add a quarter of the amount of detergent you would usually use along with ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of distilled white vinegar to remove odors. Run the cycle as your normally would.^{[5]
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- Avoid putting flip flops with beads, jewels, or other decorations in the washing machine.
- Some Chaco and Keen brand sandals can also go in the washing machine.^{[6]
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6
Clean sandal footbeds with rubbing alcohol. Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and use it to wipe down the footbed of your sandals. Not only does rubbing alcohol kill germs, it also removes dirt and grime. Then, wipe the footbeds with a damp cloth. To keep your sandals clean and fresh, repeat every couple of weeks.^{[8]
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7
Let your sandals air dry. No matter which method you use to clean your sandals, you should dry them the same way—out in the open, away from direct heat or sunlight. Both heat and light can break down the wet material, so keep them on a shaded porch or in the garage. Allow for plenty of air circulation, as well.^{[9]
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- Never put sandals in the dryer.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Maintaining Your Sandals

1
Scrub your feet in the shower before wearing sandals. Dead skin trapped in the sole of the sandal is often the culprit of stinky sandals. Take the time to really scrub your feet each time you shower or bathe, and use an exfoliating product or pumice stone to remove dead skin cells a few times per week.^{[10]
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2
Allow your sandals to dry out between uses. Sweaty feet, rain, rivers, lakes, mud, etc can all contribute to wet sandals. After taking your sandals off, let them dry completely before wearing them again. You may want to invest in another pair so you aren’t wearing the same ones each day without giving them a chance to dry and air out.^{[11]
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3
Sprinkle baby powder or baking soda on the footbeds. Both baby powder and baking soda absorb moisture and odors to leave your sandals smelling fresh. You can sprinkle some baby powder or baking soda on the footbeds once you take the sandals off to help them dry out. Then, simply dump out the excess before you put them on again.^{[12]
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4
Stuff your sandals with newspaper when not in use. When you’re not wearing your sandals, stuff them with newspaper to absorb moisture and odors. Simply recycle the newspaper when you’re ready to wear the sandals again, and stuff them with a fresh sheet when you take them off.^{[13]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Are there any products I can buy at the store that are safe to use for cleaning sandals?

Carroll Kelly
Shoe Care Specialist
Carroll Kelly is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Owner of Austin Shoe Hospital in Austin, Texas. With over 37 years of experience, Carroll specializes in sustainable shoes, boots, belts, handbags, and luggage repair. Carroll graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. Austin Shoe Hospital is a family-run business that started over 105 years ago from a single horse-drawn carriage. Today they are the largest and most recognized shoe repair company in the world.

Carroll Kelly

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

You can buy an acetone-based product at a shoe repair store that will be safe to use on sandals. It won't take any dye off of your sandals if they're dyed.