Leather shoes are a luxurious item that can last for years with the proper care. However, they can also get stained and dirty very easily. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of using toothpaste to clean leather shoes. I will also provide you with some alternatives and tips on how to properly clean your leather shoes. But first, Can you use toothpaste to clean leather shoes?
Toothpaste apart from being used for cleaning teeth can also work as a great cleaner for other materials like leather. It has gentle abrasives that can help to remove dirt and grime from leather goods like shoes without causing any damage. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before using toothpaste to clean your leather shoes such as the type of toothpaste.
Let me share with you a lot more details on the reasons why you should and shouldn’t use toothpaste to clean your leather shoes.
Benefits To Using Toothpaste To Clean Leather Shoes
1. Toothpaste Is A Gentle Cleaner
As mentioned earlier, the abrasives in toothpaste are gentle enough to remove dirt and grime from leather without causing any damage. Toothpaste also contains ingredients such as fluoride and other surfactants that can help to break down the dirt and grime so that it can be easily removed.
All these ingredients and more, although are very tough on dirt and stains, they are gentle enough not to damage the leather.
While this is true, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when using toothpaste to clean your leather shoes:
- Use a small amount of toothpaste on a soft, damp cloth.
- Gently rub the cloth on the surface of the shoe in a circular motion until the dirt and grime are removed.
- Wipe the shoes with a clean, damp cloth to remove any toothpaste residue.
- Let the leather shoes air dry completely before wearing them again.
As you can see, using toothpaste to clean your leather shoes is actually quite easy and straightforward. And the best part is that it’s gentle enough not to damage the leather.
2. Toothpaste Can Help Remove Scuffs From Leather Shoes
Another reason why you might want to use toothpaste to clean your leather shoes is that it can help remove scuffs from the surface of the shoe. Scuffs are basically marks or blemishes that appear on the surface of the leather with use.
Scuffs are basically tiny or very light scratches on the surface of the leather shoe and they can be quite unsightly.
Scuffs can be quite difficult to remove from leather. However, toothpaste contains the perfect abrasive properties that can help to remove scuffs without damaging the leather.
You can use toothpaste to remove scuffs from patent leather, faux leather, full-grain leather, and a host of other types of leather.
What the toothpaste does is essentially buff off the scuff mark until it’s gone. So, if your leather shoes have any scuffs on them, using toothpaste to clean them could be the solution you’ve been looking for.
However, it is important to note that toothpaste is not a miracle worker and it may not always remove the scuff mark completely. In some cases, the scuff mark may lighten but not completely disappear.
Nonetheless, it’s definitely worth a try before resorting to other methods that could potentially damage the leather. To use toothpaste to remove scuffs from leather;
- Dampen a soft cloth with water and add a small amount of toothpaste to it.
- Gently rub the cloth on the scuff mark in a circular motion until the scuff mark is removed or lightened.
- Wipe the shoes with a clean, damp cloth to remove any toothpaste residue.
- Let the leather shoes air dry completely before wearing them again.
As you can see, using toothpaste to remove scuffs from leather shoes is quite easy and it’s a great way to avoid damaging leather shoes.
3. Toothpaste Can Help Remove Sticky Residue From Leather Shoes
Leather shoes sometimes get sticky residue on them, usually from wearing them without socks or from the type of leather material used to make the shoes.
This sticky residue can be quite difficult to remove and can often leave a nasty mark on the leather. However, toothpaste can actually help to remove sticky residue from leather shoes without damaging the surface of the shoe.
The ingredients in the toothpaste can help to break down this sticky residue so it can be easily removed. All you need to do is add a small amount of toothpaste to a soft, damp cloth and rub it on the sticky residue in a circular motion.
Once the sticky residue has been removed, wipe the shoes with a clean, damp cloth to remove any toothpaste residue. Let the leather shoes air dry completely before wearing them again.
As you can see, using toothpaste to remove sticky residue from leather shoes is a great way to get rid of this unsightly residue without damaging the leather.
Drawbacks Of Using Toothpaste To Clean Leather Shoes
1. It Can Be Harsh For Old Or Delicate Leather Materials
Even though toothpaste is a gentle cleaner, it is still abrasive. This means that if you use too much force or scrub too vigorously, you could end up damaging the leather.
This is usually the case if your leather shoes are made from delicate materials or if they are already quite old and fragile. So, if you’re not sure whether toothpaste is the right cleaner for your leather shoes, it’s best to test it out on a small, hidden area of the shoe first.
2. Toothpaste Can Leave A Residue On The Shoes
Another downside of using toothpaste to clean leather shoes is that it can leave a residue on the surface of the leather shoe.
This residue can often be difficult to remove, especially if you leave it on the leather for a long period of time or you don’t have any cleaning supplies handy.
However, if this does happen, all you need to do is wipe the shoes with a clean, damp cloth to remove the residue. Let the leather shoes air dry completely before wearing them again.
So, while toothpaste can be a great way to clean leather shoes without damaging them, it does have some drawbacks that you need to be aware of. But overall, it’s still worth
3. You May Not Be Able To Remove All The Scuff Marks
While toothpaste can be a great way to remove scuff marks from leather shoes, it’s important to note that it may not always remove the scuff mark completely. In some cases, the scuff mark may lighten but not completely disappear.
Nonetheless, it’s still worth trying toothpaste before resorting to other methods that could potentially damage the leather.
What Type Of Toothpaste Can You Use To Clean Leather Shoes?
There are different types of toothpaste and depending on which part of the world you live in, you may have a different type of toothpaste available to you.
When it comes to cleaning leather shoes with toothpaste, it’s important to use white toothpaste, not a gel toothpaste.
The white toothpaste although abrasive is very gentle and does not contain any colorants or harsh chemicals that could potentially damage the leather.
So, if you’re looking for a safe and gentle way to clean your leather shoes, white toothpaste is the best option. Just make sure the toothpaste you get is not past its expiration date or completely hardened.
How To Use Toothpaste To Clean Leather Shoes
Now that you know a little bit more about using toothpaste to clean leather shoes, let’s take a look at how to do it. Here are the steps:
Things Needed:
- Toothpaste
- Water
- Microfiber Cloth
- Leather Shoes
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Start by removing dirt, dust, and debris from your leather shoes with a soft-bristled brush.
Step 2:
- Dampen the surface of the leather where you’re going to be cleaning with clean water.
Step 3:
- Put a bead of toothpaste onto a cleaning brush or rag.
Step 4:
- Gently scrub the toothpaste into the leather in a circular motion.
- Continue rubbing or cleaning the leather until you see the stains, scuff marks, or sticky residue start to disappear.
Step 5:
- Rinse the area you just cleaned with clean water and a damp cloth to remove any toothpaste residue.
Step 6:
- Apply leather conditioner to the leather shoes you just cleaned and let the leather shoe air dry completely before wearing them again.
Important Tips And Summary
Now that you know how to use toothpaste to clean leather shoes, here are a few tips on how to get the best results:
- Test the toothpaste on a small, hidden area of the shoe first to make sure it doesn’t damage the leather.
- Use white toothpaste, not gel toothpaste, for best results.
- Remove the toothpaste residue with clean water and a damp cloth.
- Always apply a leather conditioner to the shoes after cleaning them with toothpaste.
- Let the leather shoes air dry completely before wearing them again.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning leather shoes with toothpaste is a great way to get rid of sticky residue and scuff marks without damaging the leather.
However, it’s important to use white toothpaste as other types of toothpaste can be too abrasive or may contain colorant that may damage the leather shoes.
