How To Clean Used Shoes From eBay

Did you find some used shoes on eBay for a great price but are a little grossed out they are…used? Considering how much feet sweat, used shoes can be a little nasty. Thankfully, the guide below will walk you through how to clean any used shoes from eBay so you can enjoy them fully.

How To Clean Used Shoes From Ebay

Ebay has some incredible deals if you are willing to hunt for them, especially shoes. If the shoes are dirty, you can easily clean used shoes with some basic cleaning materials you have at home, a little elbow grease, and about 30 minutes of your time.

How Do You Clean Used Shoes From Ebay?

  • When you clean used shoes, especially if they are old, use an old toothbrush to gently clean the exterior of the shoe. This will always produce a better result than harsh chemicals and will extend the life of the shoes.
  • Shoes are made from different materials ranging from leather all the way to certain types of plastics, so make sure when you clean them to test the cleaning products on the different materials.

The following steps will aid you in the deep cleaning process of your used eBay shoes and restore them to clean condition. This process will also give your new shoes a longer life. 

What You Need:

Steps To Cleaning Used Shoes from eBay At Home

  1. Take your shoes outside and knock them together to remove any loose dirt.
  2. If the shoes have laces, remove the laces and pull the tongue forward to gain access to the area around the tongue
  3. Pour a small amount of water onto an old toothbrush and agitate the surface of the shoe, working from top to bottom.
  4. Next, add one 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.
  5. Rinse the brush often for best results. 
  6. Once you are satisfied with the exterior, use a damp microfiber towel to wipe away excess dirt and soap.
  7. 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 shoes.

How to Clean Used Laces From eBay

Restoring old laces to their former glory is easier than you might think. With a few minutes of elbow grease and the correct cleaning products, your laces can become white once again.

how to clean used shoes from ebay

Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. Cleaning laces is a simple process. Fill up a plastic tub with warm water and add a few drops of dawn dish soap. Place the laces in the mixture and let them soak for 15 minutes.
  2. After the laces have soaked, run the laces through your fingers to eliminate as much dirt as possible. Rinse them in clean water, and if desirably clean, leave them to dry overnight
  3. For VERY STAINED LACES, fill up a plastic tub with 10 cups of water. Add one cup of Out White Bright, place the dirty laces in the mixture and let them soak for 5 hours
    1. Once they have soaked, rinse with clean water and your laces will be brand new again. If your laces are damaged beyond repair, you can always purchase new ones (which may end up being easier, anyways).

How to Clean Used Shoes Soles

Maybe your new-to-you shoes are clean, but the soles have turned yellow. This is actually oxidation, which is a reaction that occurs between the rubber and oxygen in the air. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take. Checkout our in-depth guide here on how to clean yellow soles.

How to Clean & Prevent Yellow Stains On Soles

If you are looking for one of the most effective ways to clean yellow soles or stains on your used shoes, this method is one of the best we’ve found.

What You Will Need:

Older shoes tend to but it’s never too early to start. The more often you do it, the less chance oxidation will have to build up.

  1. In a small container, mix equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar until a watery paste is formed.
  2. Using a toothbrush, work the paste into the sole of the shoe (or other impacted areas) in small circular motions.
  3. After the entire shoe is covered in paste, allow it to sit for 10 minutes for the de-oxidation to occur.
  4. Wipe the shoe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

How To Deodorize Used Shoes From eBay

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

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 shoes.

How to Clean Black Used Shoes

Black used shoes can be cleaned in the same way as any other color. To see these steps in detail, follow the same guides above.

How to Keep Your Used Shoes Clean

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

Whenever you are rocking shoes you care about, you should always use a spray sneaker protectant. 

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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