How to Clean Shoe Insoles: 3 Ways

Your shoe or boot insoles might become worn out over time. Remember, when a shoe wearer takes a step, the leaky inserts absorb dirt, oil, and sweat. It eventually leads to bacteria and mold. So, you need to keep the insole clean and learn how to clean shoe insoles.

Slaying these germs and eliminating the odors caused by them might be cumbersome. But, it is not improbable if one knows the correct techniques.

You may rub the insoles using soap and water for mild odors. To preserve funkier footliners, you may need to consider more drastic solutions, such as rubbing alcohol or baking soda.

We’ll essentially show you three ways how to clean shoe insoles that you can consider. To know the ways thoroughly, keep reading.

Rubbing alcohol can aid in cleaning insoles. The reason is that it has antiseptic properties, kills bacteria, and reduces odor. You don’t have to wash it off for the evaporation of the alcohol.

Now, see how to use rubbing alcohol step by step below.

Shake well to ensure that each liquid is evenly poured and distributed perfectly.

• Regular isopropyl alcohol contains robust antibacterial properties. As a result, it becomes perfect for cleaning subtle clothing items.
• A slightly higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide or distilled white vinegar will also function the trick if you don’t have any rubbing alcohol on hand. But be careful because vinegar can leave an odor that some fabrics can take to fade.

Place the insole on a flat and waterproof surface. Then, give each side a generous misting. Then, use as much alcohol as you need. Indeed, it desiccates fast, so you don’t have to panic about them getting too wet.

• As a substitute for a spray bottle, you can take a cloth soaked in alcohol and scour it on the insole by hand.
• You may also follow this method to cleanse the rest of the shoe.

Move the insole outside or somewhere else so they may get plenty of airflow. The alcohol will soon evaporate and carry away the water, leaving the insole sterile, clean, and smelling fresh again.

• Never use boots until they are dry. If done, it will introduce new germs and moisture.

You can use baking soda to neutralize odors and slay bacteria. It is another way to clean your shoe insoles. Therefore, here are the steps to complete the job.

You shake a few ounces of soda in a Tupperware container or quart-sized Ziploc bag.

• Ensure the container you pick has a lid or other ways of closing and sealing.
• The soda often gets touted for absorbing capacity and trapping stubborn odors. So, they may be tackled without a profound cleaning need.

Slide the insole into the soda to plunge them entirely. It may help to keep them upside down so that the entire top surface is in continuous contact with the powder. Its success depends on how much area soda can cover.

• Before applying the soda, your insole should be most arid.
• If you fail to find a suitable container, setting the insole and sprinkling soda directly on top is also a way to do it.

Take a step to seal the container and look for an unobstructed place to preserve it. The baking soda should remain locked in the potential smell when you get up the next morning.

• To ensure the best results, baking soda should be left to work for at least 6-8 hours.
• One of the effortless solutions for persistent odors is baking soda because it requires no wiping, scrubbing, or washing.

Unclose the container and discard the baking soda. Remove any remaining powder from the insoles. Before placing them on your shoes, allow them to sit in an open place for several minutes. After that, you will no longer notice any unexpected smells.

• You can use baking soda treatment as often as possible to keep your insoles free from odor.

One of the common ways to clean your shoe insole is to scrub it with soap and water. This time, you notice how you do this method.

Heft the footbed in the insole and slip them out of the opening. Sweep away any loose dirt, lint, dust, or other debris so you can concentrate on dirtier spots. Before beginning to clean, the space has recently worn the insole to air out somewhere around.

• If your shoes don’t contain any removable insole, you can carefully clean the inside of the shoes by hand. In this situation, using an unused toothbrush can be helpful.
• Place the machine-washable shoes through a mild cycle while working on the insole.

Fulfill the sink or a separate bucket and press in a few drops of a mild liquid dish detergent, mixing easily with water. Then, you stir the water and soap together to create a solution.

• Hot water will function well compared to cold to loosen stuck dirt and stains.
• For lightly worn insoles, scrubbing with soap and water can usually remove unpleasant odors.

A nylon dish brush or similar tool will play a fantastic role. Moisten the bristles and repel the excess solution. You can use a small amount of soapy water to prevent the insole from getting too wet.

• Not over-saturating them with water is the key to cleaning. Extra wetness may harm the insole crafted from foam, leather, and composite materials.
• You might also use a soft dish sponge or regular cotton washcloth to do your rub.

Work with the soap solution into the insole’s surface using a tight, circular scrubbing motion. Pay attention to areas around the toes and ankles where stains and odor remain much more. After accomplishing the insole top, turn them over and move to the bottom.

• Re-soak up the brush with the fresh soap solution if necessary.
• Wipe away visible soap residue with a clean cloth or sponge after rubbing the insole.

After cleansing, confirm the insole has a chance to dry completely before putting it back on. It’ll resist odor-causing bacteria from coming back. The reason is they are dragged to wet and warm places. Once the insoles are dry enough, slip them back into your shoes and put them through their paces.

• You can speed up the drying process by placing the insole in a well-ventilated area or near a space heater or air conditioner.
• If the weather remains excellent, you put the insoles in the sun to desiccate. Not only will this air them out quickly, but the UV rays from the sunlight will also help kill any lingering germs the soap solution may have lost.

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