How to Keep Sandals Clean in Philippine Weather

What are the things you need to take note of when cleaning your sandals?

1. Different Cleaning Methods
2. Unfavorable Shoe Odor
3. Unsightly Foot Marks

Sandals in the Philippines are not immune to the local weather. Over time, materials can accumulate a lot of grime and dirt. This can turn your pristine sandals into a discolored mess if you don’t properly care for it.

Regularly cleaning your sandals will make them last longer, so you can enjoy your favorite sandals any time of the year. With that, here are some common solutions for dirty sandals:

Different Cleaning Methods

There are many cleaning methods you can try for different types of materials. Not all sandals are created equally and some may even require special care. Prior to cleaning with harsh chemicals, do a spot test. Make sure that the solutions you’re about to use won’t destroy your precious footwear.

● Rubber

Plain rubber sandals can be cleaned with baking soda. Simply run the sandals under water and sprinkle an ample amount of baking soda on the surface. Let this settle for 5 minutes. After five minutes, use an old toothbrush or scrub brush to remove dirt, grime, and odor.

● Suede

Clean suede sandals with sandpaper. Using sandpaper will eliminate the first layer of dirt, disturbing it enough so that you may wash it with mild soap or detergents afterwards.

● Leather

You can use specialized leather soap to clean off any dirt and odor. Check if your sandals are treated as leather. A drop of water won’t absorb if the leather is treated. Once you know it’s treated to a 3 to 1 ratio of water and vinegar can be used to buff the outer layers of the leather sandals.

Unfavorable Shoe Odor

Enclosed sandals can make your feet extra sweaty. In this hot weather, sometimes you can’t really avoid the sweat. There are many materials that can trap unpleasant odors. These materials include leather, natural fibers and some rubbers. If you’re planning to throw away your musty sandals, stop right there. There are ways to eliminate the odor without damaging the sandals.

● Keep your feet dry

Start with your feet and keep them dry at all times. Using an anti-bacterial foot powder can eliminate odors and prevent sweat. Apply isopropyl alcohol prior to powdering. This is another effective way to eliminate odor causing bacteria.

● Leave your sandals out in the sun

Leave your sandals out in the sun every once in a while. Fungus and bacteria won’t grow in the presence of UV rays. If you don’t have time to clean your sandals, this is a great temporary solution to deploy.

● Vinegar Solution

Vinegar can be diluted to make a cheap yet effective odor eliminator. Start with 3 parts of water and 1 part of vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake well and lightly spritz it on your sandals. Wait for about 30 minutes before using it to let the solution effectively do its job. You can also leave your sandals in the sun while drying.

● Baking Soda

Baking Soda is another effective odor eliminator. It’s very simple to use, just apply enough on the foot bed and wait overnight. Dump out the excess powder and enjoy odor-free sandals.

● Orange Peels

Oranges taste and smell great. Use your leftover orange peels to eliminate the odor on your sandals. Simply leave one or two peels in your sandals overnight.

● Adjust Your Diet

Did you know that adjusting your diet accordingly can eliminate body odor? Eliminate refined carbohydrates from your meals. These carbohydrates nourish and feed odor causing bacteria in the body. Avoiding these carbohydrates will stop these fungi and bacteria from growing and causing unpleasant smells.

● Traditional Wash and Dry

Washing your sandals and letting them dry is one of the less elaborate ways to clean your footwear. Use a mild detergent or soap to scrub your sandals. Do this thoroughly and allow it to dry overnight.

Unsightly Foot Marks

Foot marks usually look like permanent foot prints but in reality they’re just dirt and grime that’s been accumulated. This type of dirt can be difficult to remove because they’re deeply pushed into the fibers. Don’t panic if this happens, there are plenty of ways to banish these foot marks from your beloved sandals.

Materials:

● Carpet Cleaner or Upholstery Cleaner
● Cleaning Brush or Tooth Brush
● Damp Sponge
● Paper Towel
● Isopropyl Alcohol

Directions:

● Spray the foot marks with the cleaner of your choice. Concentrate on the foot marks and avoid the rest of the material.
● Follow the directions of the cleaner and allow it to sit for a while. This will disturb the dirt from the foot marks. Making them easier to clean.
● With a brush, scrub the dirt out. The solution combined with the brushing disturbs the dirt, effectively lifting it off the surface.
● Blot the surface with a paper towel. If you can still see the marks and dirt on the paper towel, you may have to repeat the process multiple times.
● Wash off the cleaner with a damp sponge. Dab the sponge on the surface and rinse it frequently. Air dry the sandals. You can choose to add the isopropyl alcohol to disinfect the surface.

Key Takeaway

Habitually cleaning your sandals for the Philippine weather can make your footwear smell better, look better and last longer. Proper care for your sandals is a good habit to practice. It’s the little things you do that can make a huge difference in this unpredictable weather.