How to Clean the Suede Insole of a Pair of Sandals

When I dragged out my sandals from last summer, they were so disgusting I wanted to throw them in the trash! The outside of the sandals were fine but the insides were black with dirt. When the insoles of a pair of sandals are a suede (brushed leather) soft light gray color, they can get dirty really fast and they are almost impossible to keep clean.

These look horrible. I was ready to throw them away.

And the insides... YUCK!

Then I remembered something my Mom said years ago. You can clean suede
shoes with sandpaper. It was so outlandish, it stuck in my head.

But, guess what? It works!!!

Here I am working on the insoles of the sandals with sandpaper. The sandpaper takes off the dirty layer of suede. I had to rub them for a few minutes to get out the dirt/mud/etc. It all just flaked away as I was scrubbing with the sandpaper. Amazing!

Here they are – all clean! YAY!

Is that incredible? I was so surprised and pleased with the results, I thought other people must have the same problem, too AND maybe someone else could benefit from this information, also.
Anyway, I decided it was important enough to do a blog post on it.

I hope this turns out to be a helpful hint for someone.

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18 comments

Noreen5/22/2013 3:30 PM
Who would have thought of sandpaper!? Great tip.

Noreen
http://craftyjournal.com
Cindy Eikenberg, Little Miss Celebration5/22/2013 5:28 PM
Linda, this is seriously one super awesome, amazing tip! I was just shuddering yesterday at the horrendous state of some of my sandals. All I can say is WOW I can't wait to try this!! Thank you SO much!
thepaintedapron.com5/22/2013 11:16 PM
Holy wow! I know I am not a dirty person, but my shoes seem to send a different message! Can't wait to try this, thanks Linda!
Jenna
Betsy Pool6/03/2013 1:48 PM
Such a great tip!! thanks for sharing it at Romance on a dime! I need to try this.
mail4rosey6/06/2013 11:04 PM
That is amazing and I had not clue!! Visiting today from Thursday's Favorite Things. :)
Anonymous6/30/2013 7:25 PM
Wow! Sand paper? Really?! Now, that's a great tip! Thanks for sharing @ Submarine Sunday!!!
Anonymous9/06/2013 2:33 PM
Thank you so much. This REALLY works. I have been trying to figure out for years how to clean the insoles of my Bass sandals. I even tried baking soda and vinegar, which is amazing at cleaning rug spots (too clean sometimes). I called Bass and asked them what would get them clean. They told me the name of the cleaner they sell which I already tried and it didn't work.I am thrilled with the results. They look almost new. Thanks again. I am a HAPPY CAMPER. I have never commented on a blog about anything before, but I had to tell you about how great this works.
tutto riciclabile handmade/ragdollsvfk9/12/2013 4:52 AM
Just what i needed
fantastic tip, thanks
windys624/12/2014 6:52 PM
I am so excited to try this. I have about five pairs that I have been contemplating throwing away and they are practically brand new. Thanks
Unknown4/12/2014 7:23 PM
Thank you so much!
Unknown4/12/2014 7:23 PM
Thank you so much!
Myrna Carter5/13/2014 7:50 AM
Wow just the tip I needed at the right time! Thank you!
Unknown5/20/2014 8:38 PM
Oh, great tip! I have two pairs of sandals that really need this treatment!
Michele Morin2/17/2022 9:09 AM
I am so happy to know about this!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com2/21/2022 9:56 AM
Thanks, Linda. I needed that! Wish I'd read this post long ago. Thanks for sharing it at the Share Your Style linky party, or I would have missed it.
Sum of their Stories3/05/2022 5:23 PM
Wowza! That is amazing! I'm totally going to try this.
Anonymous5/03/2022 10:03 AM
Does anyone know what grit of sandpaper to use
Anonymous7/23/2022 4:23 PM
Wow! This really works! Who knew!? I used a brand new emery board and that worked too. Thank you! Here come my favorite sandals!