A really great pair of shoes can make even the most boring outfit look amazing. But, those fashionable heels can be a real pain, quite literally. Thankfully, there are clever ways to take care of your shoes and to say goodbye to discomfort. If you love shoes then you’ll love these helpful hacks we’ve found! Take a look at the several methods for cleaning your shoes with ordinary household products. Keep your feet happy with these simple tips and tricks that will make your shoes feel more comfortable.

CLEANING HACKS:

HACK 1: Restore Whiteness With Toothpaste

Toothpaste acts particularly well as a cleaning agent for dirty sneakers. Apply a bit of toothpaste to an old toothbrush, and work it into the fabric of the shoes. Leave it for a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a damp towel.

HACK 2: Treat Leather With ‘Rubbing Alcohol’ To Remove Stains

Isopropyl, more commonly known as “rubbing alcohol,” can be used to safely remove stains from finished leather. While cleaning, use a Q-tip, or a cotton call, and soak it up gently with some rubbing alcohol. Rub the alcohol into the stain on the shoes, and leave it for about 30 minutes.

You can find rubbing alcohol at almost all drugstores and pharmacies.

HACK 3: Clean Smelly Sneakers With Baking Soda

Removing smelly odours is a crucial part of cleaning shoes. Put a bit of baking soda into the sneakers to freshen them up. Let them sit overnight. When you wake up, the smell will be gone!

Baking soda has special properties that enable it to effectively remove odours from many objects and appliances around the house.

HACK 4: Remove Scratches And Stains With A Nail File

Nail files come super-handy in removing both wet and dry stains, and even scratches from suede surfaces. For the best effect, first use a soft cloth to gently rub the area with the stain, to try and remove as much of the spot as possible. If it’s a really stubborn stain, gently rub the spot with a nail file or sandpaper, until the stain has disappeared.

HACK 5: Soak Your Sneakers In A Vinegar Solution

To remove nasty smells from your sneakers, try soaking them in a vinegar solution. Use around two cups of vinegar mixed in with two gallons (8 litres) of water. Dunk the shoes in, and make sure to put something heavy on sneakers so that they stay submerged. Stuffing the toes with paper towel or newspaper can help maintain their shape while they dry.

Vinegar is great for removing odours because they have great acidic properties. When coming in contact with odours, vinegar will neutralise the reaction, and banish the odours.

HACK 6: Shine Patent Shoes With Petroleum Jelly

Patent leather shoes are incredibly easy to care for, and usually, can easily be given a shine with store-bought patent leather cleaners. But if you don’t happen to have cleaners on hand, try applying some mineral oil or petroleum jelly on a clean cloth, and rub off the scuff marks on the shoes. Then, use more of the stuff to buff the shoes to a shine!

HACK 7: Use Cornmeal To Absorb Stains On Suede Shoes

According to various sources, cornmeal can be rubbed into areas on suede shoes with greasy stains. Rub it onto the shoe, and leave it to soak up the grease or oil from the stain. Afterwards, brush it off with a cloth.

COMFORT HACKS:

It’s just as important to have comfortable shoes as it is to have perfectly clean shoes.

HACK 1: Use a Hairdryer To Stretch New Shoes

If you’re trying to break in new shoes (whether they’re heels, flats, boots, or any kind of new shoes you’ve bought), one trick is to apply heat to them with a blowdryer, to loosen them up. Make sure to wear some thick socks on as you break the shoes in. Keep the shoes on while they cool.

HACK 2: Simply Stretch Your Shoes In The Freezer

A genius trick for un-cramping the toe boxes of your new shoes is to place them straight in the freezer. Fill two Ziploc bags up with water just under half way, and seal them tightly. Place the baggies inside the shoes, and let them sit overnight in the freezer until the water in the bags freezes. As the water freezes, it will slowly expand the bag to gently stretch the walls of your shoes. Remove from the freezer, and let the ice thaw for about 20 minutes before removing the bags.

HACK 3: Rub Sandpaper On The Soles Of New Shoes

Slippery shoes can cost you your nose. Rub the bottom soles of new shoes with sandpaper to make it less slippery or for an improved grip and better traction.

By rubbing the abrasive sandpaper on the smoothest part of the sole, you’re creating a rougher, more textured surface for the bottom of the shoes. Note that this may not work on certain soles, especially those with a “natural,” cardboard-like texture.

HACK 4: Put An End To Blisters With Gel Deodorant

Blisters on your feet, while wearing new shoes, are very annoying and painful. Put an end to them by applying clear gel deodorant to the areas inside the shoe that are most likely to cause friction with your skin. The gel in the deodorant acts as a lubricant!

HACK 5: Tape Your Toes Together While Wearing Heels

Can’t seem to walk in the pointed high heels? Try applying tape to your toes to avoid pain.

When you cramp your toes together in heels, it places great strain on the nerves that run through your toes. Tape either your second and third (or third and fourth) toes together with medical tape or Scotch tape to lessen the pressure on the ball of your foot.

HACK 6: Waterproof Your Shoes With Beeswax

Need to waterproof your canvas shoes/cloth shoes o keep your feet dry in rainy or snowy weather? Rub beeswax on them. Cover the entire surface of your shoes with beeswax, and then use the heat from a blow-dryer to press the substance into the shoes.

HACK 7: Soak Feet In A Tea To Soothe Blisters

Though there are plenty of measures you can take to prevent foot and heel pain, it’s always best to know how to soothe those poor blisters on your feet. Try rubbing aloe vera gel on your feet to relieve the inflammation and redness, or dab apple cider vinegar on your feet. You can also unwind with a nice foot bath. Soak your feet in black or green tea, which both have amazing anti-inflammatory properties.

Have comfy and healthy feet!