We may receive a commission when you click on links and complete purchases for products from advertisers. The information and views given are our own editorial content and we pride ourselves to make sure it is original and accurate. Privacy Policy
Forget professional services—your home is packed with hidden gems that can keep your kicks looking fresh.
These 15 surprising household items will transform how you care for your sneakers, from the kitchen to the bathroom.
Say goodbye to expensive treatments and discover the ingenious hacks hiding in plain sight.
Let’s dive into the secrets that will save your favourite pairs!
1. Hair Dryer: Shape Restorer
The humble hair dryer is more powerful than it seems! Use it to reshape crushed sneakers or to dry damp areas quickly.
Apply gentle heat to spot-treat areas, preventing over-drying.
Within minutes, your sneakers regain structure and vitality.
2. Baking Soda: Your Sneaker’s Best Friend
Think baking soda is just for the fridge? Think again! This kitchen staple can deodorize your sneakers and restore their gleam. Simply sprinkle inside your sneakers overnight, or mix with water to form a paste for cleaning stubborn stains.
Baking soda works wonders on hard-to-remove odours and marks without the risk of damaging the fabric. Plus, it’s all-natural!
Next time your sneakers start to smell a bit funky, give baking soda a try—the results will be nose-pleasingly fresh.
3. Toothpaste: A Whitening Game-Changer
Your toothpaste does more than freshen your breath! Non-gel, white toothpaste acts as a mild scrubber that can scrub away discolouration. Apply and scrub with an old toothbrush.
Focusing on the rubber soles or white leather, toothpaste can amazingly restore their brightness. Always wipe with a damp cloth afterwards to leave a pristine finish.
It’s minty-fresh brilliance for your shoes!
4. Vinegar: The All-Natural Fabric Freshener
Vinegar isn’t just for salad dressing—it’s a miracle worker too! Dilute with water in a spray bottle to remove smells and spots from fabric sneakers.
Spray lightly and let air dry, as the vinegar odor dissipates and takes unpleasant smells with it.
It’s surprisingly effective and eco-friendly, ensuring your sneakers stay stylishly fresh.
5. Olive Oil: Leather Saver
Olive oil isn’t only for Italian cuisine—it’s also a moisturiser for leather components. Applied with a soft cloth, it revives shine and flexibility.
The oil acts similar to leather conditioners on the market, without chemicals.
Just be sure to wipe away any excess to prevent stains, leaving your leather-rich sneakers looking supple and sleek.
6. Magic Erasers: Instant Grime Goners
Those clumsy kitchen blunders! But did you know magic erasers also tackle sneaker grime? Lightly dampen them to erase unwanted marks and scuffs.
They work meticulously on the rubber parts, leaving them sparkling like new.
For minimalist cleaning without water residue, magic erasers offer a seriously neat solution.
7. Coconut Oil: Shine Enhancer
Coconut oil isn’t just for your hair and skin; it’s also a vibrant shine-bringer for synthetic materials. Rub in thin layers to polish without compromising the sneaker’s material.
Be gentle and use a clean cloth to avoid any unwanted grease marks.
It’s pure, tropical magic applied gracefully to your sneakers.
8. Lemon Juice: Brightening Secret
Lemon juice cuts through kitchen grease, and guess what? It works wonders on dirty sneakers too. Mixed with water, it naturally bleaches, cleaning tough stains.
The citric acid provides a sunny boost, revamping tired kicks.
Just ensure exposure is brief to protect shoe fabric from colour fading.
9. Baby Powder: The Sneaky Odor Vanisher
Baby powder might veil baby scents, but it also absorbs sneaker odours! Sprinkle inside to soak up moisture and eliminate foot smells.
It masks odors while softening the shoe’s fabric, offering a gentle but effective solution.
A mild, sweet-smelling way to enjoy shoe-box freshness daily.
10. Nail Polish Remover: Precision Cleaner
Acetone in nail polish remover works on more than lingering polish. Carefully applied, it touches up scuffed sneaker soles cleanly.
Take care to use sparingly white rubber to erase discoloured patches.
This ensures targeted results without fading the shoe’s colours.
11. Petroleum Jelly: Synthetic Material Protector
Often overlooked, petroleum jelly (Vaseline) can shield sneakers against water marks and dirt.
Rub a thin coat onto synthetic textures, establishing a protective layer.
This results in enhanced longevity and lustrous appeal.
12. Rubber Bands: Improbable Holders
Finally, rubber bands can hold more than one would expect. They serve as handy tags or laces in a pinch.
A temporary go-to for when laces go missing or break—a crazy yet effective solution.
Simple yet resourceful, proving you’re prepared for any sneaker mishap.
13. White Vinegar & Salt: Stain Blaster
This unlikely duo, of white vinegar and salt, creates a potent stain-removal paste. Effective on various materials, it eliminates deeply-set dirt.
Mix into a thick paste, apply, and rinse—it’s that simple.
Activated by the chemical breakdown, they reveal squeaky clean surfaces soon afterwards.
14. Cornstarch: Dry Cleaner Extraordinaire
Problems with liquid spills? Cornstarch to the rescue! It expertly absorbs fresh stains on fabric without a trace.
Spoon on after a spill, wait a few hours and brush away for a saved shoe.
This pantry staple could alter your sneaker mishap outcomes forever.
15. Eggs: Binding Backup
Turns out eggs have outside-the-omelette appeal! Specifically, whites serve as a substitute for glue in DIY sole binding.
They secure detached edges marginally, offering temporary respite until a repair.
Albeit unconventional, it’s eggcellent in sneaker emergencies.
Wrapping It Up: Revolutionise Your Sneaker Care
Through these often-overlooked household gems, your sneaker care routine can achieve impressive upgrades. Each tip aligns with quick hacks rather than tedious chores, energising efforts with ease and amusement.
Whether it’s cleaning, deodorising, or restoring, these unusual methods are gems hidden in plain sight ready to revolutionise your sneaker game.
Did any surprise you? Share your experiences or your own hacks in the comments! We can’t wait to hear your amazing stories!
Loved this article? Don’t miss our awesome trainer reviews and videos! Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest or like our Facebook Page today.
I’ve been reviewing, buying, selling, and rocking sneakers since high school. Learned a lot since my first pair when I was 7 years old were And 1s (if you know you know). A lot has changed since the brand started in 2017 from reselling sneakers to now reviewing and writing informational content. The aim is to be authentic and honest with my opinions. Saucedby Lee out 🙂
