Clean Rubber on Shoes

How to Clean Rubber on Shoes

ByColleen Ferris Updated on

How to Clean Rubber on Shoes

Dirt and grime buildup are two of the prime reasons for the discoloration of rubber on shoes. But you can clean rubber on shoes with some easy homemade cleaning hacks. You can make rubber soles look like new with a bit of effort. Here are some effective ways for how to clean rubber on shoes. You can also check how to remove tar from shoes to get rid of tar from shoes.

How to Clean Rubber on Shoes with Laundry Detergent and Baking Soda

First of all, remove the dirt and mud from your shoes. Take them outside and slap them together to eliminate the dirt or mud particles. Leaving too much mud on the shoes will take more time to clean them. You can use a key of a butter knife to remove set mud out of grooves in the shoe.

Now take a dry brush and scrape off the remaining loose dirt. It is a wise idea to eliminate maximum dirt from your shoes as it will take less time to clean them after creating the cleaning solution. Use a dry brush such as toothbrush but don’t use steel bristle brushes as they can damage the rubber soles of the shoes.

Now take baking soda and laundry detergent. Mix one part of each in a small bowl. The baking soda acts as an abrasive to aid the soap removing dirt and grime.

  • Don’t use laundry detergents with bleach agents.

Apply the cleaning solution on the rubber part of the shoes with the brush and scrub it in. For best results, use a circular motion as it is most effective to remove dirt and grime.

  • Don’t use it on the fabric of the shoe as baking soda can be tough to thoroughly rinse off.
  • Instead, create a separate mixture of water and detergent to clean cloth portions of shoes.

After properly scrubbing the cleaning solution into the rubber soles of the shoes, take a sponge or clean cloth and soak it in clean water. Now rub it along the rubber to rinse it with each pass until all the solution has been removed.

  • Don’t leave the detergent mixture on the shoe as it can make them very slippery and dangerous.
  • Leaving a cleaning mixture on the rubber can make it discoloring.

Dry Shoes Completly

Now it’s time to dry the shoes. After rinsing the soap off of the shoes, take a clean towel to dry the rubber before wearing it. Drying it completely will give you a better sense of how well the cleaning solution did the job. Repeat the cleaning process if necessary.

  • Don’t leave the shoes well as it can cause a bad smell.
  • Don’t wear wet shoes as it can be dangerous. Dry them completely before using them.

How to Clean Rubber on Shoes by Soaking Rubber Soles on the Shoes

Take a pan that is large enough to fit the shoes in it. Fill it with water to submerge only the rubber soles. Lukewarm water can be the best option to clean rubber on shoes. After filling the pan with enough water, it is time to add some dish soap to it. Add one squirt of mild dish detergent and mix it thoroughly. Dish soap works best with water to break up stuck-on grime.

For white shoes cleaning, choose a little amount of bleach than dish soap. Soak the rubber in the cleaning solution for a few minutes. Leave it for some time so that cleaning solution can break up on grime and dust. Soak only the rubber part of the shoes.

If shoes are really dirty, make sure to soak them in water for 15-25 minutes. Remove the shoes from the solution and use the soapy water to remove any remaining of dirt and grime that are present on the shoe’s rubber. Don’t use bristle brush as it can damage the shoes.

  • If necessary, soak the shoes again in the cleaning solution.
  • Don’t forget to wear gloves for a bleach solution to avoid skin damage.

How to Clean Rubber on Shoe with Nail Polish Remover

Nail polish remover is one of the best solutions to remove discoloration and grime from rubber on shoes. Never use nail polish remover on the cloth parts of the shoes. You can use many things to apply nail polish remover to the rubber on shoes but cotton balls are ideal due to their size and shape.

  • Wear gloves when using the nail polish remover.
  • For dirty shoes, use more than one cotton ball.

Apply the nail polish remover on the cotton balls and begin by scrubbing away the scuff marks on the rubber shoes. Scrub away the significant scuff marks before cleaning the rubber on shoes. After removing significant scuffs and stains from the sole of the shoes, run the soaked cotton balls along the entirety of the sole. It is essential to clean the entire sole because if don’t clean it, some part may look discolored as compared to brighter whites.

Cleaning Tips

  • Don’t use cleaners or detergents with bleach in them unless you aim to clean white shoes.
  • Make sure to rinse the shoes well as they can be seriously slippery.
  • After cleaning your shoes, you can use nail polish remover to touch up scuffs as they appear.
  • You can repeat the cleaning procedure if necessary.

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