Happy Tuesday! Hello again, our fellow Clean Freaks! You might want to stand up for this! If you are like us, you spend a lot of time on the go and on your feet. (Especially when cleaning!) As a certified Clean Freak, clean shoes are more than a requirement, they are a badge of honor. So, today we are going to discuss easy steps to clean your shoes. Let’s start the walkthrough!

Fabric Shoes

I will always hold a special place in my heart for Vans and Converse shoes, as they were a staple of my wardrobe through my teens and twenties. While I loved how comfy and breathable the fabric shoes are, they could get pretty dirty over time. Here is our favorite process to help get your fabric shoes back to their former glory:

1. Remove the dry dirt and grime from the shoe. Use a soft bristle brush or toothbrush and gently brush off the accumulated dry soil. Try not to get too aggressive because this could damage the fabric.

2.  Mix up the DIY cleaning solution in a small bowl of the below ingredients: 

• 2 Cups Warm Water

• 1 Tsp of Dawn Dish Soap

3.  Working in a small area, use a toothbrush or clean white microfiber towel and gently begin scrubbing in the solution. Work your way around the shoe. Try to follow the grain of the fabric. Again, try not to get too aggressive because this could damage the fabric.

4. Using a clean, damp white microfiber towel or damp paper towel slowly ‘rinse’ out the cleaning solution by wiping the shoe evenly. You may need to do this several times and use a new towel each time if you are still picking up a little bit of soil.

5. Finally, blot the shoe with a dry, white microfiber towel or paper towel. Repeat this process several times and then allow the shoes to air dry.

Pro Tip! Using a white microfiber towel will assure that no dye from the towel will transfer to your favorite kicks! 

Here is a video of Brandon cleaning up Van’s

Suede Shoes

With fall and winter approaching, many of us are starting to pull out our suede shoes and boots. While suede is a softer and more flexible material, it is not as durable as genuine leather. When cleaning, water is not recommended. Here is our recommended cleaning process:

1. Our first step is once again removing all dry dirt and debris. Use a soft-bristle suede brush or soft-bristled toothbrush and gently clean the dry soil and dirt. Try not to get too aggressive because this could damage the suede.

2. Use a ‘Suede Eraser’ to remove any remaining marks on the suede. Again, avoid aggressive scrubbing.

3. For persistent and stubborn stains we recommend trying a suede cleaner.  You can also try either rubbing alcohol or white vinegar. Always test-clean a small inconspicuous area to make sure the suede is color-safe and can tolerate the cleaning solution. Lightly dampen a white microfiber towel with the cleaning solution and gently scrub the spot. Use very little moisture on the towel, do not saturate the suede with moisture. This can leave permanent marks. Then allow the shoe to air dry. (Repeat the process as needed.)

ProTip! If you are dealing with oil or grease on the shoe, sprinkle either baby powder or cornstarch on the spot. Allow it to sit for several hours. Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment and vacuum up the powder. 

Crocs (or any rubber/foam type shoes)

Crocs are the ultimate footwear choice for comfort and breathability! These days you can even add some flair to your crocs with Jibbitz! Because crocs are waterproof they see a lot of action during the summer. Here is our tried and true process to get them clean:

1. If you have them, remove any Jibbitz or other removable decorations. 

2.  Soak the Crocs in the warm water for several minutes.

3. Spray the Crocs with Dawn Powerwash and start scrubbing with the soft-bristled brush.

4. Touch up any scuffs with a melamine sponge.

5. If the shoes are very dirty, you may need to repeat the process and work through the layers of dirt. 

6. Set the Crocs out to air dry or speed up the process with a microfiber towel.

Check out Brandon's Crocs cleaning video here

Clean Freak Of The Week

Congratulations to last weeks winner Diane! This week we are giving away one of my High Reach Duster Kits

Just subscribe to the Clean Freak Weekly and you are in the running for our weekly cleaning giveaway. Keep an eye on your inbox each week to see if you are the next Clean Freak of the Week!

We will leave you with a joke from a fellow clean freak

What did the broom say to the vacuum?I'm so tired of people pushing us around...

Thanks so much for reading, sharing, and supporting our newsletter! We both appreciate it so much! 💚 Brandon & James

P.S. If you're new here and want to catch up on previous editions of the Clean Freak Weekly you can find them here!

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