Everyone never forgets to clean the outer part of the shoe; after all, people see the outside. However, do we even stop to think of cleaning shoe insoles regularly? Probably not as much as we should, and maybe until we notice an odor from the shoes! What most people fail to understand is that with every step you take, insoles absorbs oil, sweat, and even dirt which can later cause form bacteria and mold, and later stinking smell.
Here are simple tips on how to clean shoe insoles. Read on for more!
Removing your insoles from the shoes
You should not clean your insoles while inside your shoes unless they are glued to the shoe. Remove the insoles from your shoes and brush off any dirt and debris, so that you can focus on more spotty areas. After that, place the insoles in an open place ready for cleaning.
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In case your shoe insoles are not removable, you need to clean the inside by hand carefully. Also, you can use an un-used toothbrush to make the work easier.
Mix hot water and dish detergent in a container
Fill a bucket or your sink with hot water and then add liquid soap or dish detergent to blend with water. Stir to form a solution before dipping your insoles inside.
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Hot water is better than cold water since it can remove stuck dirt and stains as compared to cold water where you need to scrub more.
Dip a soft brush in the water solution
A nylon dish brush works best. Wet your bristle brush and then shake off the excess water. While cleaning insoles, you need a small amount of soapy solution to make sure that the insoles don’t get so wet.
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The key to effective insoles cleaning is avoiding cleaning them with excess water since too much moisture damages insoles, especially if they are made of leather, foam, or a composite material.
Brush the insoles now
It’s time to brush down your insoles with the soapy water. Pass the soapy solution on the insole’s surface with a circular and tight scrubbing motion. Concentrate on the areas around your toes and heels since this is where stains and stretches remain noticeable. Once you are done with the insole’s top, flip them over and scrub the bottom side too.
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After scrubbing the insoles with soapy water, re-wet the bristled brush with fresh water and scrub them to remove any soap residue with a sponge or a clean cloth.
Drying the insoles
After cleaning the insoles, it’s now time to dry them. Always make sure they are completely dry before putting them back into your shoes. The reason is that moisture acts as bacteria’s breeding ground and you may begin to experience bad odor from your shoes. If possible, hand the insoles on the line to dry and make sure your feet are cleaning before putting on your shoes after you slide the insoles into the shoe.
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In case your insoles are made of leather, avoid drying them on direct sunlight as it might harm them. Instead, place them indoors and leave them for several hours to dry completely.
Keeping your insoles smelling fresh
If even after cleaning the insoles you still notice some odor, you can place the insoles on a cedar shoe tree. The tree is known for absorbing any moisture residue and absorbs any odor from the insoles.
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The cedar shoe treat is excellent when it comes to keeping shoes smelling fresh. By storing your insoles on this tree, you will surely have nice smelling shoes.
Why deal with dirty insoles while cleaning them is this simple? Just use the above tips on how to clean shoe insoles and get a clean and fresh pair of shoes.
All the best!
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