cleaning shoes

[ballroomdancertoo]

Hey guys, ever heard of a product that would clean the suede/felt soles of shoes other than brushing it with a wire brush? You would think they have a cleaning solution that you could use to "wash" the soles of the shoe completely clean.

 

[Al Gisnered]

I use Palmolive diswashing liquid. I make a solution about the same as I would for washing up, pour over soles, trying not to get uppers or edges too wet. Quickly scrub with a brush - I have an old toothbrush - and rinse. Blot immediately and leave the shoes to dry on their sides. When dry, restore the nap with regular suede brush. Check the heels, somtimes they delaminate at the corners or back, and I have to re-glue. I use woodworker's glue for touch-ups.

I only do this when the soles are so filled with gunk that a good brushing just won't bring back the nap. It doesn't seem to harm the suede at all. For me, even when I'm diligent about polishing them, the uppers generally dry out and start to crack long before the bottoms have a problem.

Hey guys, ever heard of a product that would clean the suede/felt soles of shoes other than brushing it with a wire brush? You would think they have a cleaning solution that you could use to "wash" the soles of the shoe completely clean.

 

[ballroomdancertoo]

thanks for the info Al, Im kinda skiddish about putting water on the suede but I have an old shoe which I dont think I threw out yet, I'll try your method. Any idea on the proportion of water to dishwashing soap?

 

[Al Gisnered]

thanks for the info Al, Im kinda skiddish about putting water on the suede but I have an old shoe which I dont think I threw out yet, I'll try your method.

I was skittish about it the first time too, but it has never damaged the suede. Hides are washed several times in processing, so I guess a little water is OK.

Any idea on the proportion of water to dishwashing soap?

Not a lot of . A tiny squirt in two cups of water. Most of the gunk seems to be water soluble, and the dishwashing liquid just helps "wet" the water. The gunk is really only on the surface, so the leather doesn't need to soak. I try to move as fast as I can so that the water doesn't really penetrate much.

It seems that most of the unbrushable stuff that clogs the suede is generally a floor polish of some sort. Some venues (particularly hotels) use different "spray buff" products to clean and "polish" the floor. It is generally water based so it comes off quite easily with gentle washing.

 

[DennisBeach]

Hey guys, ever heard of a product that would clean the suede/felt soles of shoes other than brushing it with a wire brush? You would think they have a cleaning solution that you could use to "wash" the soles of the shoe completely clean.

Normally our shoes are just dusty and can be adequetely cleaned with brushes. If we get cola or some other substance on them, I use a cloth with alcohol. Probably not the best cleaning agent, but it dries well.

 

[dgcasey]

Thanks Al,
I did this a few days ago and it has made the difference. After laying the shoes out overnight to dry and a quick brushing in the morning, they are as good as new. Plenty of stick when I want it and plenty of slide when I want that.