When a favorite pair of shoes gets so caked in dirt that it looks beyond saving, many people's first instinct is to replace them.
But one Texas resident made the case for a much cheaper solution after reviving a grimy pair using just OxiClean, water, and an old toothbrush.
Here's what to know
Alongside before-and-after photos posted to Reddit's r/CleaningTips forum, the original poster wrote, "I love these sandals but they get dirty so fast. All I used was OxiClean powder, water, and an old toothbrush. It will be a product I buy for the rest of my life!"
OP added, "Also this is not an ad. Wish I could be paid for this!"
After walking through a park where a dirt area was being dug up, the poster said the sandals ended up especially dusty and dirty. They also said the Texas heat was around 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
When asked in the comments section about the ratios they used, the OP wrote, "What I do is wear gloves, get the shoes wet, and put the powder directly on the shoes. Then I scrub gently with the toothbrush until it looks clean and reapply the powder if needed. Then rinse it all very well."
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Another commenter added a key detail about the materials, explaining, "Maybe important to note these are cloth not leather."
The post quickly received over 14,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments, as users traded jokes, product suggestions, and their own cleaning tips.
The most upvoted reply reflected the reaction from many readers: "I never thought to use OxiClean for shoe cleaning! What a great idea."
Where can I learn more?
If this sandal rescue has you looking at the rest of your shoe rack, there are plenty of simple ways to freshen up worn pairs at home.
• A homemade paste delivered a fantastic sneaker cleanup, bringing dingy white shoes back to life.
• A basic bathroom staple proved it always helps when white shoes start looking dull.
• A baking soda method made house slippers smell fresher without relying on harsh chemicals.
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