Taking Care of your Sandals

Sandals are one of the few things in your closet that never really go out of style.  Sandals can be sexy, comfortable, fun and just plain practical.  Yet most people don’t take the time to properly care for their sandals to make sure they can use them comfortably for a long, long time.  If you don’t already take great care of your sandals, it’s time to learn how so that you can get the most out of them.

If sandals aren’t properly cared for and cleaned, they may not last long.  Some sandals can be quite an expensive investment and worth the extra effort it takes to clean them.  Sandals that haven’t been properly cared for can begin to wear and cause discomfort or irritation on feet.  They can also develop odors that are difficult to remove.

The first step to take in cleaning your sandals is to remove any debris from the surfaces.  You might be surprised at the amount of dirt and sand you can’t see that can accumulate on your shoes!  Sandals can get all kinds of debris in the crevasses and joints that wear down the surfaces and can even irritate your skin.  Use a toothbrush to gently brush off all the surface area of your sandals.  Make sure to get around straps and in crevasses.  There is a lot sand and dirt you can’t see that gets trapped in sandals!

Next, mix a gentle detergent with cold water and again, brush the sandals with the gentle, soapy water.  If you have scuffs or scars on your sandals, you can use a soft brush to try and rub them out.  A wet cloth may be strong yet gentle enough to do the job without damaging sandal’s materials.  If you are cleaning suede sandals, you can use a small amount of vinegar and then thoroughly rinse them off for any unwanted marks. 

Never soak your sandals in water no matter how stained or smelly they might be!  The water can actually loosen or remove any ornaments on the footwear as well as warp different materials.  If sandals are soaked in water too long, the can become completely ruined.

When you’re done washing your sandals, allow them to dry thoroughly.  Make sure you let your sandals air dry.  Never put them through an electric or gas dryer!  They might melt, shrink or warp to the point that you can no longer wear them.  If you are concerned about your sandals maintaining their shape, stuff them with newspaper.  Newspaper can also help draw the moisture out of your sandals faster.

Next, sprinkle your sandals with baking soda.  Baking soda is a wonderful way of keeping odor at bay and your feet fresh and dry.  If odor continues to be a problem with your sandals, consider using one of the many odor managing pads available at grocery and drug stores.

Learning to clean your sandals properly is especially beneficial when you have sandals that you love to wear every day.  Good footwear is hard to come by and great sandals are even better.  To ensure you can wear your sandals for a good long time, make sure you keep them clean.

-Matt Levenhagen