This article was co-authored by Marc Sigal and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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If your espadrilles are starting to look worn and dirty, take a minute to freshen them up. Instead of tossing them in the washing machine, you'll need to clean them by hand so the jute doesn't unravel. Mix a gentle cleansing solution and dip an old toothbrush into it. Scrub the soles of the shoes with it and use a cloth dipped in the solution to clean the upper fabric part. Then wipe the soles and upper-part with a damp cloth and let the shoes air dry.
Steps
Washing the Jute Rope Soles
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1Mix a cleansing solution in a bowl. Pour 2 cups (470 ml) of water and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of mild soap such as laundry detergent or dishwashing soap into a bowl. Stir the mixture until the soap dissolves.
- You should see a few bubbles in the cleansing solution, but it won't foam up a lot.
- Keep in mind that heavily fragranced soaps may scent your shoes for a few days.
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2Dry the shoes if they're muddy. Avoid rubbing the mud into the shoes which will make them more difficult to clean. Instead, leave the shoes to dry completely. Then you can gently brush off the dried mud using your fingers or a small brush.Advertisement
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3Use a toothbrush to scrub the solution into the soles. Dip an old toothbrush into the cleaning solution and gently rub it onto the jute soles of the espadrilles. Continue to dip the toothbrush into the cleaning solution as you scrub.
- If your shoes have parts made of suede, use a brush designed for suede instead of a toothbrush.
- Ensure that you don't saturate the jute with water since this can damage it. Instead, try to scrub the dirt out of the soles and then stop scrubbing.
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4Wipe the soles with a damp cloth. Hold a clean cotton cloth under warm running water. Wring out the cloth so it's damp and not wet. Then use it to wipe away the cleaning solution and dirt from the soles.
- If the soles are very dirty, you may need to run the cloth under clean water again and wring it out. Wipe until there's no visible dirt on the soles.
Washing the Upper-Part
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1Use the same solution to rub the canvas fabric. Dip a cotton cloth into the detergent and lukewarm water and blot any dirty areas on the upper part of the shoes.[1] Work the cloth in a circular motion to bring up the dirt.
- If the shoes are very dirty, you may need to dump out the cleaning solution and mix a new batch.
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2Wipe the cleansing solution off with a damp cloth. Take a clean cotton cloth and run it under warm water. Wring the cloth out to remove the water and then wipe the cloth over the upper-part of the shoes.
- This will remove the cleansing solution and any surface dirt.
- If the shoes are very dirty, you may need to rub them with cleansing solution again.
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3Air dry the espadrilles. Set the shoes somewhere with good air circulation and leave them to air dry completely. Don't put them in the dryer because the heat can shrink the fabric of the upper-part.
- The espadrilles should be dry within a few hours if they didn't get completely saturated.
- Stuffing your shoes with newspaper can help them dry faster.[2]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I clean my shoes if they're muddy?
Marc SigalMarc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Shoe Care SpecialistI recommend hosing your shoes off to get rid of any dirt and mud before it dries. Then you can clean them with lukewarm water and a mild detergent.
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QuestionHow do I get scuff marks out of my shoes?Marc SigalMarc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Shoe Care SpecialistTry using a magic eraser. Just wet it and scrub at the scuffs until they come out. You could even try using a number two pencil eraser in a pinch.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Things You'll Need
- Mild soap
- Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or spoon
- Small brush
- Cotton cloths
- Old toothbrush
References
About This Article
If you want to clean your espadrilles, you’ll need to do so by hand to avoid damaging them. First, make a cleaning solution by combining 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of mild soap. Scrub off any mud on your shoes before you start washing them. Trying to wipe mud off with a cleaning solution can cause it to soak into your shoe, making it even harder to get off. Once you’re ready to apply the cleaning solution, scrub it into the soles with an old toothbrush. Use a cotton cloth to clean the canvas parts of your espadrilles with the same solution. Finish by wiping the solution and dirt off your espadrilles with a damp cloth. For tips on how to dry your espadrilles after cleaning, keep reading!
