Did you mistakenly buy the wrong shoe size, or is it just not what you wanted? Probably, it’s a case of what you ordered versus what you got. Maybe you just wore the shoe since you didn’t have other options, but you can’t keep them now and wants to return them. But before you do that, you must keep the shoes in excellent condition so the vendor can accept them. To that, you must first learn how to clean the bottom of shoes to return them.
Not every shoe brand will accept a return of shoes from customers after they’ve been worn. But you still have a chance if the shoes are clean, especially the bottom. So, to clean the shoes, soak the bottom in warm water and scrub gently with a brush and cleaning agent till they are clean. Then, rinse them properly in clean water, dry and return the shoes.
This article presents the detailed cleaning steps for the bottom of shoes and other important information. So, keep reading.
Article Summary:
- It’s against the policies of most shoe stores to accept the return of dirty shoes. So, make sure the shoes are clean before returning them.
- Shoes tend to last longer when you take out time to clean them properly and remove dirt on them.
- Scrubbing your shoes harshly with a brush can cause a tear, whether the shoes are fragile or not.
Contents
Why You Should Clean The Bottom Of Shoes Before Returning Them?
It’s necessary to clean the bottom of shoes before returning them since most shoe stores don’t accept worn shoes from customers after purchase. So, to stand of succeeding, clean the shoes, especially their bottom. Moreover, shoes tend to last longer when you take time to clean them and properly remove dirt on them.
Stores can’t accept dirty shoes from customers who want to make returns. In most cases, the return policy for stores demands that customers only return products the same way they got them. For instance, when you buy a cloth and it gets torn, your returning plea for it will be fruitless in any store. The same procedure applies to shoes you purchased from an online or physical store.
So if you’ve been asking, should I clean the bottom of my shoes, the answer is yes, especially if you want to return them? Also, if you tend to wear your shoes daily for errands, get comfortable shoes for delivery and make them last longer by constantly cleaning the bottom.
How to Clean the Bottom of Shoes to Return Them
Stores won’t accept dirty shoes from customers that plea for return or replacement. So, it’s important that you know how to clean the bottom of shoes to return them. Furthermore, the bottom of the shoes is the hardest place to clean since it has direct contact with the ground. So we have outlined the steps for keeping them clean below.
Materials for Cleaning Shoe Bottoms:
- Clean, warm water
- Cleaning agent (detergent, dish soap, bleaching powder, vinegar, or toothpaste)
- Brush
Steps To Clean the Bottom of Shoes
Step 1: Pour Warm Water into a Washing Pan or Bucket
Using warm water is important since some dirt has stayed longer on the shoe and has dried up. The higher temperature of the water makes it easy for the dirt to come off. We advise you to get a pan wide enough for the shoes to stay flat. Also, the water would have to cover the shoe’s bottom completely.
Step 2: Add the Cleaning Agent to the Warm Water or On the Dirty Part of the Shoes
If the cleaning agent is one that you need to mix in the water, pour a few drops and stir. But if the cleaning agent is one that you need to apply directly on the shoes, then properly do so. Moreover, knowing the effectiveness of some cleaning agents also helps you understand how to clean the bottom of leather shoes. So, always use a cleaning agent that works well for the type of shoes you want to clean.
Step 3: Soak the Shoes
Next, you must soak the shoes with their bottom immersed in the water. A few minutes of soaking would soften the hard dirt, making it very easy to scrub. If the bucket is not wide enough to contain two pairs at once, you can do this with one shoe at a time.
Step 4: Scrub the Bottom of the Shoes
This requires the use of a good scrubbing brush. You would have to scrub the shoes meticulously till they are completely clean. The process has to be gentle and not harsh. Even if it takes a longer time, it’s a safer approach.
Moreover, the hard scrubbing method creates a good chance of peeling the shoes. Also, the damage could be more obvious if the shoe material is fragile. In such a situation, no store would accept such shoes if returned. So, maintain a gentle scrub on the shoes.
Step 5: Rinse the Shoes
Once you’ve scrubbed off all the dirt, you should proceed to rinse the shoes. You can rinse them under running water, which will wash away all traces of soap or other cleaning agents you’ve used. Alternatively, pour clean water inside a bucket and rinse the shoes.
Step 6: Dry the Shoes and Return to the Store
You can air-dry or sun-dry the shoes based on the material they’re made of. But before drying, use a clean, dry cloth or towel to wipe off excess water from the shoes. Afterwards, take them to a dry and ventilated place for proper drying.
How to Clean Rubber on Shoes
Cleaning rubbers is not so easy, especially if it’s an oily stain. Oil tends to stick on rubbers without getting off easily. But there’s a solution to removing the stain on the rubber part of your shoe.
Materials for cleaning rubbers on shoes:
- Water
- Brush
- Clean cloth/cotton wool
- Cleaning agent (Nail polish remover, baking soda, laundry detergent, soap, and water).
Steps To Clean Rubber on Shoes
The following steps will help you to clean rubber on shoes.
Step 1: Get Rid Of Dust, Mud, and Tiny Dirt
The initial step to take is to put off mud, dust, or sand stuck on the rubber part of your shoes. To do this, you can bounce the shoe on a concrete floor for the mud to go off. Also, you can use a clean cloth to dust off the dirt. Use your brush to carefully brush off the dust on strategic points where the dirt is stickier.
Step 2: Use the Cleaning Agent That Works For You
Different folks are more conversant and comfortable with different cleaning agents. So, you can always make your choice on which one to use.
A solution of soap and water is one of the traditional solutions that serve as a cleaning agent. Pour water into a bucket and add the soap into it. Mix the solution properly and soak the rubber part of the shoes in the mixture. Wait for a few minutes, then use the brush and gently scrub the rubber on the shoes till it is clean.
You can only remove dirt with nail polish remover when it involves dirty rubbers. However, this cleaning agent on colored surfaces would leave a discoloring spot. Get a cotton wool ball and soak it in the nail polish remover. Then, gently rub the soaked wool on the rubber of the shoe. Repeat the process with more wool soaked in the cleaning agent. Do this until the rubber is completely clean.
The last cleaning agents on this list are baking soda and laundry detergent. You must make a paste by mixing the baking soda and the liquid laundering detergent. Stir the mixture properly until it becomes a pastry form. Using a brush, apply the solution to the rubber on your shoes and gently scrub till it gets clean. Make sure you scrub the shoes carefully to avoid creating a tear in the process.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry the Shoes
Rinse repeatedly with clean water and wipe off excess water with a clean towel or cloth. Afterward, keep the shoes in a ventilated space for faster and better drying.
How to Get Grass Stains Off the Bottom of Shoes
Grass stains are mostly on shoes you use on the field, probably running shoes. You need to know that grass stains are one of the easiest to get off the bottom of your shoes.
Materials You Will Need For This Process:
- Cotton wool
- Isopropyl alcohol or vinegar
- Brush
- Cleans water
Steps to Get Grass Stains off The Bottom of Shoes
Step 1: Apply the Cleaning Agent to the Grass Stains
You can use two substances for this process; vinegar and isopropyl alcohol. They work well even if the grass stain dries on the bottom of the shoes. But where the stains have stuck for a very long time, it might be difficult to remove with just isopropyl. At such time, you can use vinegar.
Isopropyl alcohol
Soak a ball of cotton wool in your isopropyl alcohol. Then, use the wool to dab on the grass stain area until it disappears.
Vinegar
Soak the grass-stained area in vinegar for about 30 minutes, then take it out and scrub it. Get your brush and gently scrub the grass stains off until it’s gone. If it doesn’t go off, repeat the process and continue until the stains are removed.
Step 2: Rinse and Dry the Shoes
Here, you need to rinse the shoes with clean water and keep it dry in a place with good ventilation. You can keep them under the sun to dry fast, but don’t leave them too long under the sun.
How Do You Clean White Rubber Shoe Soles?
White rubber shoe soles are prone to dirty even if you don’t wear them for long. Since the soles are white, they could be harder to clean as some stains stick on them.
Materials to Clean White Rubbers Shoe Soles:
- Cleaning agent (Nail polish remover and mixed baking soda and laundry detergent)
- Brush
- Water
- Clean cloth/cotton wool
Steps To Clean White Rubber Shoe Soles
Step 1: Use a Cleaning Agent
Nail Polish Remover
Soak a small portion of cotton wool in the nail polish remover. Use the soaked cotton wool to gradually clean the white rubber on the shoes. Repeat this process until the rubber is completely clean.
Baking Soda and Laundry Detergent
Mix the baking soda and laundry detergent in a bowl properly till you get a good paste. Then, apply the paste to the white rubber soles on your shoes and gently scrub with a brush till it’s clean. Make sure you scrub the shoes carefully so they don’t break or damage.
Step 2: Rinse and Dry the Shoes
Proceed to rinse the shoes and dry them. Use clean water and rinse them and wipe off excess water with a clean towel. Then, dry it under the sun and monitor it, so it doesn’t stay too long and get bad.
How to Clean Gum off Shoes
Getting gums on shoes could be more frequent as lots of people chew and spit gums anywhere. However, the good news is that you can clean off the gum from your shoes.
Materials You Need To Clean Gum Off Shoes:
- Water
- Clean cloth
- Peanut butter
- Brush
Steps to Clean Gum off Shoes
Step 1: Remove the Big Excessive Gum
When removing gums off shoes, you should first remove the big lump using an object with a sharp edge. However, be careful not to tear the shoe with the object.
Step 2: Apply Peanut Butter
Completely cover the gum on the shoes with peanut butter and allow it to sit for a while to dissolve. Depending on how much gum has stuck on the shoes, you may have to wait for 30 minutes or more. Then, scrape the gum off easily with a scapula and wipe with a clean towel or cloth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return shoes after wearing them once?
It’s possible to return shoes after wearing them once if the selling store or the brand operates a return policy. Some people may misuse this privilege by using the shoes for a while before returning them or demanding a refund. But, every return policy has rules that will not let you do so. Hence, always read the brand return policy and make sure not to break any rules before returning the shoes.
Do you need the shoe box to return shoes?
The company’s return policy would specify whether you need the shoe box to return the shoe or not. However, for most companies, you need the box to return the shoe.
Can you wear Nike and return them?
You can wear Nikes and return them if you abide by the company’s rules for returning products. One of the many rules is that you have to make your returns within 60 days of delivery.
Are grass stains permanent on shoes?
Grass stains can appear to be permanent on shoes, but you could remove them using the use right cleaning materials. Also, if you follow the right steps, you can get grass stains out of your shoes.
Conclusion
The bottom of shoes has the most stains when you wear a shoe, even just once. It could be difficult in most cases to return worn shoes. However, if you abide by the company’s return policy which includes cleaning, you could stand a chance of returning it. Hence, you must know how to clean the bottom of shoes to return them. So, simply get the right materials and follow the steps above to clean the bottom of your shoes.
