HOW TO CLEAN RUBBER SHOES FOR DAILY USE

As someone who is passionate about shoes and has spent years in the footwear industry, I know how important it is to properly care for your shoes. One of the most popular types of shoes out there is rubber shoes – they’re durable, versatile, and can handle just about anything you throw at them. However, if you don’t know how to clean rubber shoes properly, they can quickly start to look dull, dirty, and unpleasant to wear.

That’s why I’m excited to share my knowledge and expertise on how to clean rubber shoes like a pro. With my years of experience cleaning and maintaining all kinds of footwear, including rubber shoes, I can provide you with insider tips and tricks that will help your shoes look and feel their best.

Whether you’re dealing with caked-on mud or funky odors, I’ve got you covered. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to keep your rubber shoes looking great for years to come.

What are rubber shoes made of?

Well, I think it is quite obvious, but yes, rubber shoes use rubber as the main material! The use of rubber in footwear dates back to the early 1800s when natural rubber was first discovered and used to make shoes. It was Charles Goodyear who invented the vulcanization process in 1844 that allowed us to create shoe rubber!

And nowadays, the entire shoe usually isn’t only rubber. Most of the time, you can find the rubber on the soles. The “body” part of a rubber shoe might incorporate other materials like canvas, suede, or leather. Although, there’s a possibility that some rubber shoes can be entirely made out of rubber!

Proper Use of Rubber Shoes

Shoes that feature rubber soles are really awesome. They are handy for different situations in life. One of the most obvious scenarios for using rubber shoes is for sports and exercise. Due to their flexibility and durability, rubber soles will give quite an advantage to an athlete. And yes, I personally use them for some strenuous activities sometimes.

Despite the awesome potential that rubber shoes present, I can’t deny the fact that rubber shoes can be heavier than other sneakers. Therefore, people often turn to rubber shoes when it comes to industrial work, especially in a hazardous environment. When you reinforce the rubber sole, it can withstand corrosive places and provide comfort to its wearer.

Benefits of Wearing Rubber Shoes

I have mentioned it before, but in case you missed it, I’ll say it once again: rubber shoes are generally stronger and more durable than normal shoes. Their flexibility will also prove to be a great help, especially for athletes who rely on their feet.

When talking about the benefits of wearing rubber shoes, I shall bring up the fact that rubber shoes provide a strong grip when it comes into contact with most surfaces. The rubber soles can reduce the chance of any slip-ups. After all, rubber soles are slip-resistant. In fact, they’re oil and water-resistant as well!

Why Rubber Slippers are Good for You!

In some cases, I recommend that you use rubber slippers rather than wearing conventional shoes. After all, rubber slippers are easy to use. All you need to do is slip your foot inside when you’re going to use it; no need to tie up laces at all!

Most rubber slippers are also cheaper than normal shoes, which will be perfect for day-to-day use. This way, you won’t have to worry about getting your precious and expensive shoes dirty.

Rubber slippers are also highly breathable. There is a lot of room for circulation down there. Hence comfortability becomes a good talking point when it comes to rubber slippers. Plus, they can be compatible with various casual activities. If you’re not attending any formal event, be sure to at least consider wearing rubber slippers instead!

Cleaning Kit for Rubber Shoes

• ShoeCleaner: A special shoe detergent needed to clean your favorite and precious slippers
• Apron: Not an obligatory item, but it will come in handy when we’re talking about keeping your shirt clean while washing your slippers
• Premium Brush: Used to clean the upper part of your slippers
• Standard Brush: Used to clean your shoe’s outsole section.
• Small Brush or Toothbrush: This type of brush will come in handy when it comes to cleaning the inner part of your slippers that is usually hard to reach.
• Microfiber Cloth: Used to wipe slippers clean of dirt and stains.
• Container/Pan: used to store water that will be mixed with Shoe Perfume in order to generate a certain odor for your rubber shoes.

Rubber Shoe Anatomy

• Sole: The tread or bottom section of your rubber shoes. For this part, you can use the Standard Brush. Its strength and sturdy nature will prove to be effective when you’re trying to wipe all the dirt located on the rubber shoe’s sole. I have good experience with such brushes as they can srub persistent dirt quite effectively.
• The upper part of your rubber shoes: The upper part of your shoes, better known as shoe pads. Rubber shoes are made of rubber, which is why you’re going to need a lot of care when cleaning them. That’s the reason why the upper part of rubber shoes or slippers can be cleaned by using the soft and gentle Premium Brush.

How to Clean Rubber Shoes

I’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to wash your rubber shoes by hand based on my years of experience in the footwear industry. By following these simple steps, you can keep your rubber shoes looking their best and ensure that they last for years to come!

Step 1: Prepare the rubber shoes or slippers that you want to clean

Get your pair of dirty rubber shoes or slippers out of the box. Before you clean and freshen them up, inspect for damages first. This way, you don’t make things worse.

Step 2: Make sure that all the essential tools and cleaning kits are ready

Prepare the Shoe Cleaner, apron, Premium Brush, standard brush, little brush or toothpaste, microfiber cloth, and a container to store a mixture of water and shoe perfume.

Step 3: Wash the rubber shoe’s sole.

As I’ve mentioned previously, cleaning a rubber shoe’s sole will require the strength of a standard brush. Please use all your strength when cleaning the soles, as they are the dirtiest part of a shoe.

You won’t have to worry about damaging the shoe when cleaning the sole. After all, soles are known for their strength and durability. If, for some reason, you can’t seem to shake off the dirt and stains, try to brush them again until they’re clean and fresh again.

Once you’re satisfied with the result, proceed to wipe the sole with a microfiber cloth.

Step 4: Wash the Upper Part of the Rubber Shoes:

To wash the upper part of your rubber shoes, you need to use a Premium Brush. Unlike the rigid and strong sole, the upper part of a rubber shoe or slipper is prone to strong contact, so make sure to avoid making scratches on the surface.

After using the Premium Brush, you can wipe the upper part with a microfiber cloth. If dirt and stains are still spotted, make sure to repeat this step until they’re all eliminated.

I know that some cleaning kits that I’ve mentioned aren’t necessarily easy to find. If you don’t want to buy them, you can just go ahead and wash the rubber shoes while brushing them. Then, clean the rubber shoes using a microfiber cloth.

Step 5: Drying Process:

Leave the rubber shoes for some time in front of a fan for around one to two hours. I don’t recommend leaving your rubber shoes in direct contact with the sunlight. Rubber tends to shrink in size when they come into contact with heat. Therefore, there’s a high chance that it won’t fit on your feet!

Step 6: Finishing

Once the shoes are dry, you can store them or even use them for your daily activities once more! I recommend putting some silica gel to prevent humidity in the storage space. Spraying some perfume would also be a good idea to freshen the rubber shoes even more!

How to Clean Rubber Shoes that Turned Yellow

Your rubber shoes or rubber soles may sometimes turn yellow as they age, especially if they are white. Fortunately, there are ways to restore their brightness and make them look brand new again. Here are my top tips for cleaning white rubber shoes that have turned yellow:

1. Start by mixing a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Dip a soft-bristled brush into the solution and gently scrub the yellowed areas of your shoes.
2. For stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the affected areas. Let the paste sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.
3. If your shoes are still looking yellow, try using a commercial whitening product designed specifically for rubber shoes. These products can be found at most shoe stores and online retailers.
4. After cleaning your shoes, be sure to rinse them thoroughly with warm water and allow them to air dry completely before wearing them again.

By following these simple steps, you can restore the bright white color of your rubber shoes and keep them looking their best for years to come.

Do and Don’t

I believe that my instructions are already very comprehensive enough. However, you still might want to read some tips that you can do while cleaning your rubber slippers while paying attention to some other things that you should avoid below.

DO	DON’T
Clean your rubber shoes before they become too dirty	Never leave your rubber shoes or slippers under direct contact with the sunlight
Use Premium Brush to clean your shoes to prevent damage and scratches to your shoes	You don’t need to wash them with a laundry machine
Use rubber shoes in a relaxed situation	Do not use them in the case of a flood

Questions and Answers

What is the best way to clean rubber?

The best way to clean rubber soles in your shoes is by using a Shoe Cleaner. If you don’t own one, you can use a detergent as an alternative. However, some detergents can damage your shoes, so make sure to take note of that. I recommend that you follow my instruction above. Manual deep cleaning is always superior and more thorough than a washing machine.

How do I clean rubber shoes with baking soda?

There are a lot of alternatives that you can do to clean your rubber shoes. One homemade ingredient I’ve tried myself is baking soda. Based on my experience, this method is very cheap, easy, and can be just as effective!

• If you want to clean rubber shoes with baking soda, then you can create a mixture with water.
• Put them both inside a container and stir them both until they have become thick.
• The mixture can then be wiped on the surface of your rubber shoes. Use a brush to help get a better result.

• Make sure that the mixture covers the whole part of your rubber shoes, especially the dirty section.
• Let your shoes for a while before wiping all the mixture clean. The dirt and stains should all be eliminated.

If you still find some stains and dirt left on the rubber shoes, please repeat the steps and use the remnants of the mixture you’ve made.

Important to note: I only recommend this method for cleaning white rubber shoes. Yep, I suggest trying other methods for non-white shoes. Don’t forget to use a soft brush for this method as well.

How do I Clean Rubber Shoes with nail polish remover?

A nail polish remover, or acetone, can effectively clean your rubber shoes. Here’s a guide that I come up with: using nail polish remover to eliminate dirt and stains from your rubber shoes correctly!

• Prepare a nail polish remover that you own. Use a cotton ball or cotton bud as well. You can even use a piece of cloth to cover more space when cleaning.
• Soak the cotton ball or cloth inside the acetone.
• Use the cotton ball to clean your rubber shoes. If the acetone on your cotton ball runs out, use a new cotton ball and dip it again inside your nail polish remover.
• Repeat the steps above until you’ve managed to eliminate all the dirt and stains.

The one drawback to using this method is that it won’t work well with shoes that feature canvas material. If you use acetone for this type of shoe, then it can result in a change of color! So, yes, I highly discourage anyone from putting on acetone on canvas shoes!

How do I Clean Rubber Shoes with Magic Eraser?

Using a Magic Eraser is so easy. You won’t take up much time when using this method.

• Prepare the Magic Eraser.
• Wet the Magic Eraser.
• Before proceeding, try to wipe loose dirt or stains with a soft brush.
• Proceed to clean dirty sections on your shoes by wiping the wet Magic Eraser. If the Magic Eraser has dried up before you have finished cleaning your shoes, then wet them again with clean water.
• Repeat the instructions until you feel that your shoes are clean. Using a Magic Eraser is highly recommended for shoes with leather and rubber material.

How do I clean scuff marks from white rubber shoes?

Even though rubber shoes are quite durable, they are not impervious to scuffing. To hide the marks, I recommend that you use the following methods: use baking soda, rubber eraser, petroleum jelly, nail polish remover, and toothpaste!

You can apply either one of those ingredients directly on the scuff mark. Then, use a toothbrush to scrub it gently. Then, rub it with a wet cloth to remove the residual cleaning ingredient.

Conclusion

Rubber shoes are strong and flexible at the same time, thus making them viable for casual activities. However, you do need to clean them regularly to avoid damaging them. Rubber soles can be cleaned with Standard Brush, while the upper part of your shoes can be washed away with Premium Brush. Whatever you do, make sure to avoid leaving them under direct contact with the sunlight in order to prevent a change in shape.

In any case, you should try out my methods above at home on your own to find out how effective they really are!