How To Clean Rainbow Sandals: Like New in 15 Minutes

Are your Rainbow flip flops looking (or smelling) grimy? Over time, the leather can become dirty and develop odors. Grab an old toothbrush and a few household cleaning products – it is time to make them look fresh again!

How To Clean Rainbow Flip Flops Leather

Founded in 1972 in Laguna Beach, Rainbow flip flops are some of the highest quality thong-style sandals on the market. The design sports a distinct look made of high-quality materials, but like most sandals they can get dirty and smelly over time. So how can you clean your Rainbow sandals?

How Do You Clean Rainbow Flip Flops At Home?

  • Whenever you clean Rainbow sandals, use an old toothbrush to gently clean the leather. This will always produce a better result than harsh chemicals and will help preserve the shoes.
  • Rainbow flip flops are made of leather, so when you are cleaning them make sure to be gentle.
  • You should have a routine set in place to deep clean your Rainbow sandals on a regular basis. Without a system in place, your sandals can become extremely dirty.
how to clean rainbow sandals
Cleaning your Rainbows will extend their life and reduce odor.

The following steps will help you clean your Rainbow sandals and restore them to a much more enjoyable condition. This process will also give your Rainbow sandals a longer life by keeping the leather in top-notch condition.

What You Need:

Steps to Cleaning Dirty Rainbow Flip Flops at Home

  1. First, take your sandals outside and gently knock them together to remove any loose dirt.
  2. Pour a small amount of water onto your shoes and using that old toothbrush, agitate all the leather along the insole area.
  3. Next, put a cup of water into your plastic tub along with a few drops of Dawn dish soap, and mix them together. Using the toothbrush, cover the shoes in the soapy water liquid. Proceed to scrub the shoes in small circular motions, removing as much dirt and debris as possible.
  4. Working from top to bottom, clean your Rainbow sandals thoroughly to ensure you are cleaning the entire shoe. Rinse the brush often for best results. 
  5. Once all the dirt has been agitated with the toothbrush, use a damp microfiber towel to wipe away excess dirt and soap.
  6. Once all the dirt is removed, dry the shoes with a towel and leave them out to dry. Avoid direct sunlight as that can cause yellow spots to appear on the leather.

How to Clean Rainbow Flip Flop Toe Straps

Restoring the Rainbow straps to their original glory is a very simple process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Dirty Rainbow Straps
  • A Plastic Tub
  • Dawn Dish Soap
  1. Cleaning Rainbow straps is a simple process. Fill up a plastic tub with warm water and add a few drops of Dawn dish soap. 
  2. Using a toothbrush, scrub the Rainbow straps thoroughly. Allow the straps to soak in the soapy solution.
  3. After the straps have soaked, run the laces through your fingers to eliminate as much dirt as possible.
  4. Rinse them in clean water, and if desirably clean, leave them to dry overnight.
  5. For VERY STAINED STRAPS, fill up a small shallow tub with warm water and add a healthy amount of OxiClean. Turning your Rainbow sandals upside down, allow the straps to soak overnight (but do not soak the leather overnight). 
    1. Once they have soaked, rinse with clean water and your laces will be brand new again. If they are beyond cleaning, look into the Rainbow sandal guarantee.

how to clean rainbow sandals

How To Deodorize Rainbow Sandals

If we are being honest, sometimes our shoes start to stink! Here’s how to deodorize your Rainbow Sandals.

Option #1: Place a dryer sheet in each shoe, and let it sit for 24 hours. These dryer sheets will absorb any liquid that may be in the shoe, and help mask the overall odor. For the best result, do this multiple times within a few day period to eliminate as much stench as possible.

Option #2: Mix ¼ cup of baking powder, ¼ cup of baking powder, and ½ cup of cornstarch. Once the mixture is created, pour it into two cotton socks and place them in the shoes overnight. This will greatly improve the smell of your Rainbow Sandals.

How to Keep Your Rainbow Sandals Clean

The last thing you want to do after cleaning your sandals at home is to do it again soon after.

The key to keeping your Rainbow sandals looking and smelling fresh is to clean them on a regular basis. 

These sprays create a barrier that is difficult for stains to penetrate which keeps your shoes looking fresh. Once your shoes are clean, consider one of our favorite shoe protectants below to keep your shoes looking fresh for longer.

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