How to Clean the Soles of Leather Shoes

By: Melissa King

Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Whether you walk to work or hike the trail in your leather shoes, it's important to keep the soles clean. Stuck-on debris can wear down or stain the soles, while regular cleaning keeps your shoes looking good and lasting longer. You don't need to pay to have your shoes professionally cleaned. Instead, do it yourself with just a few inexpensive supplies.

Step 1

Hold a shoe with the sole up.

Step 2

Scrub the sole gently with a dry stiff-bristle leather brush. If you don't have a leather brush, use a toothbrush instead. Brush away dried mud, grass and other caked-on debris.

Step 3

Dampen a cloth with cool water and use it to scrub the sole. Hold the sole under cool running water if it has ridges that you can't easily clean with the cloth. Keep it in the running water until all of the dirt and debris is knocked loose.

Step 4

Sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the sole if it's stained. Rub the baking soda into the sole with a damp towel or non-abrasive sponge, then rinse. Do not let baking soda touch the leather upper of the shoe.