How To Wash Shoes You Got At The Thrift Store So They Look Brand New Again

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

The thrift shop is brimming with unique secondhand treasures you can score for a fraction of the original cost. The caveat is that it's not always possible to find pieces that are completely clean. Shoes are one controversial thrift find that many feel torn about bringing home. The thought of walking around in someone's dirty old shoes can feel icky. But if you find an exceptional pair you really love, you might be tempted to look past any reservations you would normally have about buying used shoes. With a little bit of TLC and the right tools, you can clean your thrifted shoes up like a pro and restore them to their former glory. 

But first, it's important to recognize which shoes are worth salvaging and which are better left on the shelf. Be on the lookout with shoes with light to moderate wear. A few scuffs can be excused but it can be harder to clean and repair more well-loved shoes. Material also matters. Leather and rubber shoes tend to be some of the most durable options. There are also ways to clean and deodorize shoes with textile materials like canvas, as long as there aren't any major rips or fraying.

In order to restore your thrifted shoes to look brand new, you'll need to gather some basic cleaning materials. While each shoe and material will require a slightly different approach, some helpful items to have include Goo Gone, an old toothbrush, cotton swabs, acetone, vinegar, dish soap, a wash cloth, stain remover, baking soda, and laundry detergent.

A good first place to start for any shoe is removing that pesky thrift store sticker. These labels tend to leave behind a sticky residue. Use Goo Gone to gently remove the leftover adhesive. You can also combine grapeseed oil, baking soda, and sweet orange essential oil for an easy DIY goo remover. Use acetone and a cotton swab to remove any price marks written on the sole by the thrift shop. Now is also a good time to see if it's possible to change out the removable insoles of your new shoes to save time on washing them.

To clean leather or rubber shoes, combine 1 part vinegar, 1 part water, and a squirt of dish soap. Dip a toothbrush or scrub brush in the solution and gently scrub the insole. Wipe the excess away with a dry cloth and scrub the shoe one more time with just water. Use a towel to finish removing any soap, then allow the shoes to dry completely. Once they're clean, you can also clean and condition the leather. Use a product like Fiebing's Saddle Soap to scrub the outside of the shoe, then wipe it down with a damp cloth. Finish off by applying leather conditioner and buffing it out with a horse hair brush or toothbrush. This last step will really help your thrifted shoes look brand new. 

Secondhand sneakers, particularly white ones, can feel daunting to shop for at the thrift store. But it is possible to restore these too. Believe it or not, this is a surprising place to use laundry detergent. Start by removing the shoelaces and spraying them down with a stain remover like Shout. Set them aside in a bowl filled with warm water for up to an hour. Next, fill a large container with warm water and a splash of laundry detergent. Completely saturate each shoe. Now it's time to break out one of the age old baking soda cleaning hacks. Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda onto each shoe and scrub with a toothbrush or scrub brush, paying special attention to the crevices were dirt collects. Rinse the shoes and laces in warm, clean water, then set them to dry in a sunny spot.

If you finish all that scrubbing and notice the white soles of your white shoes are still a grimy yellow color, don't panic. You can correct this too. Head to your local beauty supply shop and track down a strong hair color developer, like this Salon Care 40 Volume Creme Developer. As a precaution, wear gloves to protect your skin, and use a brush to paint the developer onto the yellow sole. Hair developer is essentially hydrogen peroxide, which may discolor shoe fabric that isn't white, so be cautious. Wrap the shoe in a paper towel and leave it in direct sun for 3 to 4 hours. Unwrap and wipe the sole down with a damp cloth. You should be left with brighter soles and thrifted shoes that looks remarkably new!