Co-authored by:
Shirley Jones Luke
Shoe Care Specialist and writer
2025
Jennifer Mote
Mar 19, 2025
how to clean shoes with Toothpaste
In a short time
- Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to an old, clean toothbrush.
- Gently rub the brush over the dirty shoes.
- Let the toothpaste dry on the shoes for 10 minutes.
- Then, remove it with a damp towel.
Note:
- Gel toothpaste can stain your shoes.
- Test it by applying a small amount of toothpaste to an inconspicuous area of the shoe for 20 minutes.
Getting Ready to Clean
1 Make sure you have white, non-gel toothpaste. We have seen that gel toothpaste leaves stains on shoes and does not clean them as well as expected. Gel toothpaste works the worst on white shoes. So, if you have non-gel colored toothpaste at home, I recommend buying white non-gel toothpaste instead.
- Buy a cheap new toothbrush or use an old one you have at home. There is no point in using an expensive brush to clean dirty shoes. You will not be able to use the brush for brushing your teeth later, so an old toothbrush is perfect for this task.
2 Check if the toothpaste is safe for shoes. Some toothpastes contain ingredients that can damage shoes. Use white, non-gel toothpaste. Most toothpastes are fine to use, but it is best to test them first.
- Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a small, inconspicuous area of your shoe.
- Let it dry for 20 minutes, then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
-
If the toothpaste doesn’t leave any stains on your shoe, you’re good to go.
Make sure of these things before moving on to the next step, “How to Clean Shoes with Toothpaste
Scrubbing with a Toothbrush
1 Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the brush. Too much toothpaste can damage your shoes, so use half the amount you normally use when brushing your teeth, or use a pea-sized amount.
- You can also use a cleaning pad instead of toothpaste.
- You can use a cleaning sponge to speed up the cleaning process, or a wire brush if your shoes are very dirty.
2 Start scrubbing your shoes with the toothbrush. Depending on the color, material, and condition of your shoes, scrub with toothpaste. If you have dark-colored shoes or very dirty shoes, you may want to apply a lot of pressure. If you have white shoes, gently massage the toothpaste into the shoes with the brush.
- Identify the dirty spots and carefully scrub them back and forth with the brush.
3 Let the toothpaste dry on the shoes for 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, the toothpaste will have a better chance of working into the material of the shoes. Some of the dirt will be easily removed when you wipe with the towel.
4 Wipe the shoes with a clean towel. After 10 minutes, soak a clean towel in the sink to drain the excess water, then wipe the shoes with the wet towel. You can apply as much pressure as you want when wiping the shoes with the towel. Clean as much toothpaste from the shoes as possible.
- If the shoes are still not clean enough, repeat the process.
Wiping the Shoes
2 Mix 5 parts water and 1 part dish soap in a spray bottle. You can use a measuring cup to measure exactly how much water and soap you put in the spray bottle. If you don’t have a measuring cup, it’s better to use less dish soap than more. Then, put the lid on the bottle and shake it to mix the solution.
3 Spray the solution on a clean cloth and wipe the shoes. Soak the cloth in the solution. To remove dried toothpaste from shoes, rub the cloth soaked in the solution over the shoes in a circular motion. Pay special attention to areas of the shoes that were particularly dirty before cleaning. Make sure all of the solution is removed from the shoes.
4 Wipe the shoes with a clean, dry cloth. After wiping the shoes with the spray solution, use plenty of pressure to completely dry the shoes with a clean, dry cloth.
If needed, you can leave the shoes in a cool, dry place to air dry.
If your shoes get completely soaked, read more about how to dry your shoes faster.
Things You’ll Need
References
1. How to Clean Sneakers with Toothpaste
2. Expert Tips on Cleaning Sneakers with Toothpaste
3. Easy Sneaker Cleaning Hack Using Toothpaste
4. Toothpaste Cleaning Method for Sneakers
5. Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Sneakers with Toothpaste
6. Using Toothpaste to Remove Stains from Sneakers
7. Moe Draper – Shoe Care & Repair Expert Interview (March 5, 2025)
To clean the soles of your shoes, you can take a scrub brush, warm water, and a detergent and scrub the soles. If these options don’t work, you can take them to your local shoe repair shop or local shoe cobbler to have the service done professionally. Learn how to clean shoes here
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About This Article
Co-authored by:
Shirley Jones Luke
Shoe Care Specialist and writer
Shirley Jones Luke is a writer. Miss Luke loves books, fashion, and travel. She has experience buying new shoes and maintaining them. She is currently working on her second poetry manuscript, a collection of essays, and a fictional novel.
Co-authors: 7
Updated: March 14, 2025