How do I wash my shoes?

July 31, 2006 3:52 PM

How should I wash these shoes?

I've worn these shoes in a restaurant kitchen for a few months and they are nasty. The soles are gunked up, they are dirty, and they stink. Because they are black and steel-toed, I don't want to throw them in the washing machine to mark it up and bang them around. I've heard about using a dishwasher...?

I have a couple days off work to let them dry out, so that's no concern. I just hope to avoid scrubbing them by hand...

posted by BradNelson to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

Let the gunk dry out for a couple of days then more or less whack the soles up against the edge of something (preferably outside) - most of the gunk should come loose and fall out.

While they are drying out (and every so often afterwards) try putting a little bicarb in them - it works wonders for smells.

Finally, invest in some black shoe polish. They should come up quite nicely.
posted by cholly at 4:41 PM on July 31, 2006

Scrub them with water and a mild soap like Murphys using a sponge or brush dependiong on what you mean by gunk. Let dry away from direct heat. Then use polish.

For the insides, get some Dr Scholls anti-stink insoles and put them in between the regualr insoles and the bottom of the shoe.
posted by fshgrl at 9:11 PM on July 31, 2006