Boat shoes are used for more than just relaxing on a boat. Depending on the type of shoes you choose, they can be a real fashion statement. These days they’re considered lifestyle shoes that you can wear for just about any occasion. The information below will help you understand how to clean boat shoes, including what should be used during the cleaning process and other important considerations based on the type of shoes you have.
Cleaning Leather Boat Shoes
While it’s common for people to have their leather boat shoes professionally cleaned, it’s possible to clean them at home. Since boat shoes are exposed to water if you actually use them for boating, you’ll have to make sure mold is removed and that process might involve the use of a fungicide. If you don’t have fungicide, you can use lemon juice or vinegar as a cleaning agent.
Regardless of which solution you choose, you’ll need a sponge or a cloth to wipe down the shoes. While fungicide will need to be diluted as instructed by the manufacturer, you don’t have to dilute the lemon juice or vinegar. The sponge or cloth should be used to gently remove any dirt or mold that’s on the shoes. You should use protective gloves while cleaning your boat shoes.
Cleaning Suede
When cleaning suede boat shoes, it’s best not to use any chemicals. A great method for removing dirt, dust and any other substances that might be on the shoes is brushing them with a suede brush. In many instances, you’ll need to spend a good amount of time brushing suede boat shoes because it can take time to eliminate dirt from the surface of the shoes. It’s important to brush in the same direction to avoid damaging the shoe. If you have scuff marks, consider using a nail file or a light colored eraser to get rid of them.
If your suede boat shoes have stains from water and dirt that has turned into mud, it might be necessary to soak them in cool water, which is fine since this type of shoe is designed to get wet. It may not be necessary to use water to remove mud and dirt. You may be able to just brush it off using a soft bristle toothbrush. Another tip for cleaning suede shoes is using rice water to get rid of stains. This also requires use of a soft toothbrush. When learning how to clean boat shoes, start out slow and take your time as you go through the learning process.
Cleaning Canvas
Canvas boat shoes are popular and they’re relatively easy to use. The key to cleaning them is not using harsh chemicals that can damage the materials. While you might be tempted to toss them in the washing machine since canvas is a cloth material, that may cause a problem. Specifically, your shoes might become misshapen and uncomfortable to wear.
Instead of using a washing machine for canvas boat shoes, you can use a large bowl or basin that will allow them to soak without the agitation of a washing machine. You can fill the bowl or basin with warm water and use a mild liquid detergent and a soft toothbrush to clean them. You can soak the shoes as necessary so that the dirt can be released. To dry the shoes, wrap them in a large towel to soak up most of the water and then set them aside until they completely air dry.
There are several options for how to clean boat shoes and these tips can help you get through the process like an expert.