When faced with stained or dirty trainers, many households resort to harsh chemical cleaners or risk damaging them in the washing machine. However, there is a simpler, more natural solution to restore their brightness without ever needing to run a wash cycle. By using just two common household ingredients, you can lift stains and bring your footwear back to its former glory.
Laura Harnett, founder of the eco-friendly cleaning brand Seep, suggests that expensive chemicals are unnecessary for most cleaning tasks. She encourages the use of white vinegar and baking soda, noting they are antibacterial and effective at removing lingering odours. For footwear in need of a refresh, these natural powerhouses work wonders.
To begin the process and get your trainers looking their best, Laura advised: “First remove the laces and brush off any surface dirt or mud on the shoes with an old toothbrush or use your bamboo dish brush when it comes to the end of its life for washing up.”
Once the loose dirt is gone, the real deep clean can start. For the laces, Laura shared a specific method: “Place the laces in a bowl with a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water.
“Using a bamboo cloth rub the vinegar liquid into the laces and then leave to air dry in the sunshine. They’ll be white again with no lingering smell as vinegar and daylight together is a natural bleach.”
With the laces drying, your attention can turn to the main body of the shoe. A simple, effective cleaning paste is all that is required.
“Next, mix a paste with a tablespoon baking soda, one of white vinegar and one of hot water,” said Laura.
“Rub this paste into the body of the trainer gently with circular movements. Wipe off the excess paste and leave them to dry for a few hours and the stains will have lifted.”
This gentle approach avoids the abrasive damage that some commercial cleaners can cause.
Finally, to tackle any unpleasant smells emanating from inside the shoes, there is another straightforward trick.
Laura explained: “If the inner soles can be removed then place them into a small biodegradeable bin bag with enough baking soda to cover them completely. Tie the bag and leave overnight and in the morning any lingering odours will be removed.”
For particularly soiled insoles, she adds that “you can gently wash by hand with a small amount of soap and water and air dry them.”