How to Clean Shoe Insoles: 3 Ways

How to Clean Shoe Insoles

How to Clean Shoe Insoles

Your shoe insoles might become worn out over time. Remember, when a shoe wearer takes a step, the leaky inserts absorb dirt, oil, and sweat, eventually leading to bacteria and mold.

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

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

3 Ways On How to Clean Shoe Insoles

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

Way One: Sterilizing the insoles with rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can aid in cleaning shoe insoles because it contains disinfectant properties, killing bacteria and reducing odor. Due to the evaporation of the alcohol, you don’t have to wash it off.

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

Blending together alcohol and water in a small spray bottle

How to clean a shoe insole

Shake thoroughly to ensure equal amounts of each liquid are poured and appropriately distributed.

  • Regular isopropyl alcohol contains robust antibacterial properties, making it 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.

Spraying the insoles with the alcohol mix

Clean shoe Insoles

On a flat and waterproof surface, you put the insoles and give each side a generous misting. Then, utilize as much alcohol as you require. Indeed, it desiccates fastly, so you don’t have to panic about the insoles getting too wet.

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

Setting the insoles aside to dry

Ways to clean shoe insoles

Move insoles outside or somewhere else so they may get plenty of airflow. The alcohol will soon vaporize and carry the wate, getting your insoles sterilized, clean, and smelling fresh again.

  • Don’t put on shoes again as long as they will dry. If done, it will launch new germs and moisture.

Way Two: Deodorizing Insoles Using Baking Soda

You can utilize baking soda to neutralize odors and slay bacteria. It is another way to clean your shoe insoles. So follow the below steps to do the job.

Filling a large container with baking soda

Filling a Large Container with Baking Soda

In a Tupperware container or quart-sized Ziploc bag, you shake a few ounces of baking soda.

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

Putting the insoles inside the container

Putting the Insoles inside the Container

Slide the insoles into the baking soda to plunge them entirely. It might aid in keeping them upside down so the entire top surface remains in continuous contact with the powder. Its success depends on how much area baking soda can cover.

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

Allow the insoles to sit overnight

llow the Insoles to Sit Overnight

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

  • 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.

Removing and replacing insoles

Removing and Replacing Insoles

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.

Way Three: Rubbing Insoles with Soap and Water

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

Take off the insoles from your shoes

Take off the Insoles from Your Shoes

Heft the footbed insoles 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 insoles 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.
  • While working on the insoles, place the machine-washable shoes through a mild cycle.

Combining soap and hot water in a large container

Combining Soap and Hot Water in a Large Container

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.
  • Removing unpleasant odors from lightly-worn insoles will be sufficient to use a gentle scrub with soap and water in most cases.

Dipping a stiff-bristled brush in the soapy solution

Dipping a Stiff-bristled Brush in the Soapy Solution

A nylon dish brush or similar tool will play a fantastic role in this purpose. Moisten the bristles and repel the excess solution. You can utilize a small amount of soapy water to resist the insoles from being too wet.

  • Not over-saturating them with water is the key to cleaning most shoe insoles successfully. Additional wetness may harm insoles crafted from foam, leather, and composite materials.
  • You might also utilize a soft dish sponge or regular cotton washcloth to accomplish your rubbing.

Brushing the entire insole with soapy water

Brushing the entire insole with soapy water

Using a tight, circular scrubbing motion, you work the soap solution into the surface of the insoles. Pay attention to areas around the toes and ankles where stains and odor remain much more. After accomplishing the top of the insoles, turn them over and move to the bottom too.

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

Let the insoles air dry

Let the insoles air dry

After cleaning the insoles, you need to confirm that the insoles got a chance to dry entirely before putting on them again. It’ll resist odor-causing bacteria from coming back because they are dragged to wet and warm places. If they desiccate sufficiently once, slip them again into your shoes and place them through their paces.

  • You can accelerate the drying process by placing the insoles 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 it air them quickly, but the UV rays coming from the sunlight will also aid in killing any lingering germs that the soap solution might have lost.

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