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• Method 1 of 2: Remove dirt and smells
• Method 2 of 2: Maintain your sandals

Sandals are part of the summer, but can easily get dirty, dusty, sweaty and smelly. There are several things you can do to clean your sandals, depending on the material they are made of. Whatever type of sandals you have, with a little time and effort you can easily clean them.

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Method 1 of 2: Remove dirt and smells

1. Use a brush to remove dirt and dust. If your sandals are covered in dirt or mud, take them outside and use a clean stiff brush to remove any large pieces of dirt. Scrub both the top and the soles of the sandals to remove as much loose dirt as possible.
2. Scrub cloth or canvas sandals with baking soda and water. In a small bowl, mix equal amounts of baking soda and water together until a paste forms. Use an old toothbrush to apply the mixture to the sandals and scrub them with it to remove dirt and odors. Rinse the paste under the cold tap of your sandals and use an old towel to soak up the excess moisture.
3. Wipe leather sandals with vinegar and water. Soak a sponge with a mixture of equal parts water and distilled white vinegar and scrub the outside of your leather sandals with it. This way you remove dirt and dust from the surface without damaging the leather. When your sandals are dry, apply a leather care product to keep them in good condition.
4. Use rubbing alcohol and fine sandpaper to clean suede sandals. Stubborn stains can be removed with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol, but water will stain suede so be careful not to get your sandals wet. Gently sand the suede with a piece of fine sandpaper to remove dirt and dust. Be careful not to sand off all of the material. Light sanding is enough.
5. Put rubber slippers in the washing machine. Rubber slippers can be washed in one go with minimal effort. Set your washing machine to the delicate wash program and use cold water. Add a quarter of the normal amount of detergent and 60 ml of distilled white vinegar to remove odors. Then turn on the washing machine as normal and let it run through the program.
   • Do not put slippers with beads, jewelry and other decorations in the washing machine.
   • You can wash sandals from some brands in the washing machine.
6. Clean the footbed of your sandals with rubbing alcohol. Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and wipe the footbed of your sandals. Rubbing alcohol not only kills bacteria, but also removes dirt and dust. Then wipe the footbed with a damp cloth. Do this every few weeks to keep your sandals clean and fresh.
7. Let your sandals air dry. Whatever method you use to clean your sandals, always dry your sandals the same way. Place them outside to dry in a place out of direct heat and sunlight. Heat and light can affect the wet material, so put your sandals on a shady patio or in the garage. Also ensure good air circulation.
   • Never put your sandals in the dryer.

Method 2 of 2: Maintain your sandals

1. Wash your feet in the shower before putting on your sandals. Sandals often start to smell because of dead skin stuck in the soles of the sandals. Take the time to give your feet a good wash when you shower or bathe. Use an exfoliator or pumice stone several times a week to remove dead skin cells.
2. Let your sandals dry after wearing. Sweaty feet, rain, rivers, lakes and mud can get your sandals wet. After taking your sandals off, let them dry completely before putting them back on. It's a good idea to buy a few more so that you can alternate and let your sandals dry and air properly.
3. Sprinkle baby powder or baking soda on the footbed. Baby powder and baking soda absorb moisture and odors and leave your sandals smelling fresh. You can sprinkle some baby powder or baking soda on the footbed after taking off your sandals. This will help them dry. When you put on your sandals, throw the powder out again.
4. Stuff your sandals with newspaper when you're not wearing them. When you're not wearing your sandals, stuff them with newspaper to absorb moisture and bad smells. Just put the newspaper in the scrap paper when you want to wear the sandals again and put new sheets in when you take them off again.