Shoe Care Tips: Kids' Shoes

Kids can be tough on their shoes—whether it’s playing in the park, splashing in mud puddles, or just being kids. 

That's why we make ours with hand-me-down quality, built to stand up to everything kids throw at them. And while kids feet grow fast, keeping their shoes in good condition is a great way to reduce your footprint and ensure they can be worn by another kid! Below are some simple cleaning tips for kids’ shoes. 

For Sandals 

• Quick Rinse: After a day of fun, simply rinse your child’s sandals under cool running water to remove dirt and sand.  

• Machine Wash: For a deeper rinse, all KEEN kids' sandals are machine washable!

• Odor Control: If the sandals start to smell, sprinkle a little baking soda or tea tree oil inside, let it sit overnight, and shake it out in the morning. For more information check out our story, here! 

For Other Shoes 

• Wipe Down: For kids' sneakers or canvas shoes, a damp cloth can do wonders. Just wipe down the surface to get rid of dirt and scuff marks.

• Deeper Clean: For a deeper clean, you can use a vinegar and water solution, or a brush, to get at any tough spots. 

• Odor Control: Kids' shoes can get smelly, when washing isn’t enough, we recommend adding some tea tree essential oil into the upper lining and footbed. Not only does it help with odor, it also has antibacterial properties. 

For Leather Shoes 

For leather shoes, it’s important to keep them dry. When they do get wet, give them time to dry out before they are worn again, away from any direct heat sources. If you notice your kid's shoes are exceptionally dry, stiff, or starting to crack, we recommend applying a leather conditioner to soften them up again.

Caring for your kids' shoes doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple cleaning methods, you can keep their footwear looking fresh, new, and ready to hand down to the next friend, sibling, or neighbor! 

As shoemakers, we’ve always believed that the more durable, comfortable, and versatile a shoe is, the less you’ll need to replace it. That’s why we’re all about providing our fans with tips to get their shoes to last even longer. To learn more about caring for other types of shoes and materials, check out our Shoe Care FAQs! 

Sure, all of our sandals in this line-up are a little bit different. But you better believe they’re ready for adventures big and small. Take a read through some of the places that KEEN sandals have ventured in the past and start dreaming of future adventures (someday . . . ).