Does toothpaste or baking soda clean shoes?

Non-gel white toothpaste is sometimes used on rubber midsoles because its mild abrasiveness can lift surface scuffs. The problem is that abrasives don't stop at rubber: on leather they can dull the finish, on suede they matt the nap, and on printed or coated areas they can rub colour away.

Toothpaste also often contains whitening agents and flavourings that aren't designed for footwear, so it's a gamble on anything except plain rubber, and even there a dedicated sneaker cleaner or gentle brush is usually more predictable.

Baking soda mixed into a paste with a little water can help lift grime on robust canvas, but it's still abrasive and can leave a chalky residue if not rinsed carefully. Vinegar is acidic: a heavily diluted wipe might help on some smooth leather in a pinch, but it's easy to overdo and can dry leather out or affect dyes.

There's no single home remedy that works on every type of footwear. Trainers, loafers, suede boots, and formal leather all need different handling, which is why material-first cleaning beats a one-size TikTok hack.

For light upkeep at home: brush off dry dirt, use a soft brush with a small amount of mild soap or dedicated shoe cleaner, minimal water, and air dry. Keep suede dry, condition leather after cleaning, and never soak or heat-dry.

When home remedies aren't enough, or you're worried about ruining the pair, our Clean 'Em deep clean is a flat £60 with material-safe hand cleaning, odour treatment, and a free authentication check, posted anywhere in the UK.