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Rule number one: Don’t even consider throwing your espadrilles in the laundry. The jute rope that makes up the soles of these shoes will completely unravel during the spin cycle leaving you shoe-less. So let’s not go there. Rule number two: Don’t throw away your espadrilles either! There’s a quick and easy way to clean ’em!
Start by cleaning the jute rope soles.
Before you even begin, wait for any dirt to dry. Scrubbing it off when it hasn’t completely dried will actually cause the dirt to sink even deeper into the material, and nobody wants that! Then, pour a tablespoon of mild detergent into a bowl. Add two cups of water and stir. Once the dirt has dried, take a cotton cloth and try to wipe off as much loose excess as you can. Then, take a toothbrush and dip it into the detergent water, and gently scrub off the dirt. Don’t forget to clean in-between the cracks of the cord and the canvas/leather part of the espadrilles. Then take a clean cotton cloth and dampen it with lukewarm water to rinse off the soap.
Next, clean the upper-part of the espadrilles.
Dip a corner of the cotton cloth into the detergent water, then scrub off the dirt in a circular motion. Use a clean damp cotton cloth to rinse off the soap. Repeat as needed, and let the shoes air dry.
For leather espadrilles, clean them off using any commercial leather cleaner. The product should have instructions on how much of the solution to use. Then rub in a circular motion, repeat if necessary, and let them air dry.
[Photo: Always Judging]
