Cleaning the surface of your Rainbow sandals shouldn’t be difficult; an old toothbrush and damp cloth should do the job. You may need to use a mild soap if yours are in serious need of a clean.
It’s beach day, and it’s a disaster.
Your Rainbow sandals are caked with mud and sand from last month’s seaside frolic. So you need to get them clean, and get them clean now.
Whether you have new Rainbow sandals that’ll need maintenance or ones so filthy they seem beyond repair, don’t fret. We’ll teach you how to clean Rainbow sandals.
Here’s the gist of it:
- Clean the surface of your Rainbow sandals with a toothbrush and damp cloth.
- Grab some mild soap and go in for deeper cleaning.
- Target the soles with a brush and cloth, but be gentle.
- Let them dry naturally.
- Remove any offending odor.
- Store them in a cool, dry place.
How to Clean Rainbow Sandals: A Step-by-Step Guide
The upper materials used in Rainbow sandals can vary, but this cleaning method is universal.
Make sure you have:
- An old, soft-bristled toothbrush or similar.
- Bowl of tepid water.
- A mild laundry detergent or dish soap that doesn’t stain.
- Soft cleaning cloths.
- Towel or paper towel.
Step #1: Surface Cleaning
Dirt clings microscopically to the surface of shoes all the time. So even if your Rainbow sandals look clean, whip out the small brush and get scrubbing, dry.
Once you give the sandals a once-over and remove everything visible that’s not caked on, you can start the wet rub down.
Dampen one of the cloths under the faucet and ring it out as much as possible. Give the sandals a wipe-down.
Step #2: Soap ‘Em Up
Now they’re clean on the surface; this could be all your Rainbow sandals needed. But if yours are still caked, stained or you think they were a lighter shade when you got them, it’s time for a deeper cleaning.
Grab your bowl of water, ensuring it’s lukewarm. Too cold, and it’s less effective, but hot water can damage some materials in Rainbow sandals.
Now mix in your soap, making sure it’s not going to stain your sandals. Do a test swatch to make sure if you’re uncertain.
Once the mixture is ready, dip a small section of a clean cloth in it. Wring it out, and use it to scrub the sandals in circular motions. Tackle the easy parts first, leaving the footbed as your final target of this step.
Move to using a different section of your cloth as it gets dirty.
Step #3: Deep Cleaning
Are there any tough stains the cloth can’t quench? Break the toothbrush out again, dunk it in the soapy water and get scrubbing.
If the stain is on the leather, you might as well give up now. Scrub too hard, and you’ll shred the leather!
For footbed stains, scrubbing is fair game. You’ll eventually work the stain out, but you may need to use hotter water and harder bristles if it’s tough.
Do not use hot water if it’s not a footbed stain. As we mentioned earlier, you could damage your sandals.
Step #4: Sole Scrubbing
The soles won’t need too much special treatment; they were made to be dirty. Perform the steps above on them, but don’t be too rough. Scratching or wearing away the tread could lead to slippery accidents in the future.
Step #5: Dry Off
Wipe your Rainbow sandals down with a towel to get rid of any excess water, then leave them to dry naturally for a day.
It’s best if you leave them in the sun, but placing them by a weak heat source can help too. Avoid leaving them in direct heat for too long as it may dry out the leather.
Maintaining Your Rainbow Sandals
Once clean and proper again, you should take steps to ensure this will be your only deep-cleaning session.
Keep your sandals fresh, and you can’t do much wrong.
Keep Odors Away
A major reason sandals start to feel old and grimy is because they stink.
You can’t help that—they’re summer shoes worn on sweaty feet in the sun. To combat the problems this use causes, you should take time to deodorize the sandals at least once a week.
Treat the sandals with a deodorizing spray daily, too.
How to Eliminate Foul Smells
If your shoes already have a stench, here’s how you get rid of it:
- Place your sandals in a ziplock bag full of baking soda.
- Seal and shake the ziplock vigorously to coat your sandals.
- Leave the bag to sit for a few days, somewhere out of direct sunlight if possible.
- Dust off the shoes once satisfied with how long you left them.
If the odor remains, you’ll have to get a little drastic. We recommend avoiding this method unless the above fails, as rubbing alcohol has a potent scent itself:
- Pour rubbing alcohol or vodka over some cloths.
- Wring out the cloths and wait until they’re damp, not saturated.
- Place the cloth in the sandal’s footbed.
- Remove the cloth once it fully dries.
Now your sandals should smell like alcohol, which at least is cleaner and more tolerable than another scent that could linger.
Treat the Leather—By Not Treating It
If you’re an expert shoe owner, you should be well used to oiling and conditioning your leather. It’s imperative you know how to repair cracked leather, normally.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to break the habit here as oiling or conditioning your Rainbow sandals voids their guarantee.
Treatments have been known to make the leather fall apart, so if you use one, then it’s on you as you had fair warning.
Instead of treatments to keep your leather looking fresh, try the following methods:
- Stay away from water—keep the Rainbow sandals for walks along the beach but not the shore.
- Keep out of the sun—don’t let the leather get cracked and dry, so walk in the shade or wear long pants/skirts that cast a shadow on your feet.
- Don’t scrub the leather—when cleaning the soles and sides of your Rainbow sandals, take extra care to be gentle.
Prep Your Feet
You can slather your sandals in all the pretty-smelling sprays in the world, but foot odor is still going to ruin it.
So before you wear your Rainbow sandals, give your feet a thorough scrubbing in the shower. Yes, even if you change into Rainbow sandals midway through the day!
You can also cover your feet in antiperspirant to try to keep the bacteria in sweat out of your footbeds. Any antiperspirant will do, but you can get some created for feet too.
Don’t forget to dry your feet well, especially between the toes, and don’t put your sandals on until your skin is as dry as it’s going to get. Avoid moisturizing your feet before wearing Rainbow sandals, too, as that’s going to take longer to soak into your skin.
Store Them Smartly
Don’t store your Rainbow sandals with the rest of your old, odorous shoes in your damp closet. Consider hanging your Rainbow sandals up on their own—how about having a shoe tree hanging on the outside door of your closet?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Wash Rainbow Sandals?
Although Rainbow Sandals doesn’t provide a cleaning solution or instructions for the shoes, you can take the initiative. A small amount of soap in tepid water works well to clean the sandals, so long as you work gently.
Can You Get Rainbow Sandals Wet?
You can get Rainbow sandals wet, but that doesn’t mean you should. Avoid saturating them in case they become waterlogged or the leather dries out as the water drains and dries.
How Long Do Rainbow Sandals Last?
According to users, Rainbow sandals last about two years. Treat them well and wear them rarely, and they may last longer for you.
Can You Wear Rainbow Sandals to the Beach?
Yes, you can wear Rainbow sandals to the beach so long as you don’t walk in the water. A great feature of Rainbow sandals is how their leather look is versatile, taking you from beach day to semi-formal backyard barbecue with no need to change.
Flip Flops That Won’t Flop
If you want to keep your Rainbow sandals in good condition, clean them gently and keep odors at bay. Remember what we said about how to clean Rainbow sandals—use mild soaps and wear with care!
Follow our tips, and your sandals should go years without flopping.
