How to Clean Glitter Shoes Without Losing the Sparkle
Quick answer: Dust with a soft, dry brush or cloth. If you must, dab a spot with a barely damp cloth and dry it right away. No scrubbing, soaking, oils or heat, and expect a little shedding.
We compare brand care pages and cleaning guides and show where they disagree.
How to Clean Glitter Shoes: Sources Compared
Glitter shoes are the one category where most makers say the same thing: keep it dry, keep it gentle, and do not scrub. We read care pages from Frēda Salvador, habbot, Aspinal of London (its glitter product care page), Stuart Weitzman and The Fold London, plus three cleaning guides from Pisamonas, The Laced Shoe and DecentFoot. The brands mostly say wipe or brush dry. The guides go further with damp cloths and, in one case, a soapy solution. That is where they disagree.
| Source | Routine cleaning | Water or soap | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frēda Salvador | Gently remove surface dirt with a clean, dry, soft cloth. | Cleaning products of any kind, which it says will damage the material. If wet, air dry away from heat and sun. | Some glitter loss when touched is normal. Store in a dust bag or box. |
| habbot | Tap the soles together, or use a very soft dry brush. | Do not rinse. Blot wet shoes with a dry cloth and air dry away from heat. | No oils, creams or polishes, which it says can break down the adhesive. Suggests a water and stain protector spray. Some loose glitter on first wear is normal. |
| Aspinal of London | Wipe with a soft, dampened cloth. | Avoid exposure to water and direct heat such as radiators or a hot car. | Keep away from toiletries, cosmetics and creams. Some minor shedding is normal. |
| Stuart Weitzman | Soft, dry cloth, wiping in the direction of the weave, or a gentle brush. | Does not mention water. | Avoid coarse surfaces. For deeper cleaning it says to use a professional cleaner. |
| The Fold London | No cleaning steps given. | Avoid rain and humidity. | Avoid direct sun and abrasive surfaces. Cloth bag, cool dry place, shoe trees or tissue paper. |
| Pisamonas | Soft dry makeup brush, light strokes in one direction. | For stubborn marks, dab with a microfiber cloth dampened with water and mild soap, then dry right away. Wetting glitter makes it peel off quickly. | If glitter loosens, spray hairspray lightly from about 20 cm. |
| The Laced Shoe | Dab, do not rub, with a cloth or cotton swab in warm water with mild soap. | If glitter starts to come off, stop and let it dry. No soaking, no machine. | No bleach, harsh cleaners or alcohol. Optional glitter-safe spray, tested on a small area first. |
| DecentFoot | Brush dirt away with a soft cloth. | Soap and cold water with a toothbrush, then rinse. It also says water should be avoided at all costs. | Protective spray before wearing, reapplied regularly. |
Some of these companies sell glitter shoes, so their advice reflects their own materials. None of the sources gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Step by Step: Cleaning Glitter Shoes
The method the sources agree on, with who says what:
- Tap off loose dirt. habbot says to tap the soles together. The Laced Shoe says the same.
- Dust with a soft, dry tool. Frēda Salvador and Stuart Weitzman say a dry cloth. habbot says a very soft dry brush. Pisamonas says a soft-bristled makeup brush in one direction.
- Only if needed, dab. Pisamonas, The Laced Shoe and Aspinal of London allow a barely damp cloth or cotton swab. Dry it right away.
- Stop if glitter lifts. The Laced Shoe says to stop and let it dry.
- Air dry away from heat. Frēda Salvador, habbot, The Laced Shoe and Aspinal of London all say no direct heat.
- Store with care. Dust bag or box (Frēda Salvador), cotton bags (Pisamonas), cloth bag with tissue or shoe trees (The Fold London).
General advice: if a spot does not come off with a dry brush or a barely damp cloth, a professional cleaner is the lower risk option. Stuart Weitzman says so for deeper cleaning.
Shedding and Keeping Glitter On
- Some shedding is normal. Frēda Salvador, habbot and Aspinal of London all say a little glitter loss, especially early on, is expected.
- Hairspray. Pisamonas says if glitter loosens, spray lightly from about 20 cm. No other source names this, and the brands do not endorse it.
- Protector spray. habbot suggests a water and stain protector. DecentFoot says spray before wearing and reapply. The Laced Shoe says to test on a small area first. Spray cans differ, so follow the label.
- Glue. The Laced Shoe says do not put glue on the glitter.
The Fold London says abrasive surfaces cause permanent wear, and Stuart Weitzman says to avoid coarse surfaces. Wear glitter shoes where they will not scrape.
Glitter Fabric, Metallics, Crystals and Trim
- Glitter fabric. Aspinal of London says wipe with a soft dampened cloth and keep away from heat, water and cosmetics.
- Glitter with leather trim or soles. habbot says leather trim and soles can be conditioned, but not the sparkly areas. See our leather conditioning guide.
- Metallic finishes. Pisamonas wipes metallic shoes after each wear with a damp microfiber cloth and mild soap, and adds a tiny amount of petroleum jelly for shine. No other source says this.
- Crystals and embellishments. Stuart Weitzman says keep them away from extreme weather, humidity and heat, clean gently with a soft cloth and see a professional for more.
- Sparkly soles and rubber. The Laced Shoe scrubs soles with a soft toothbrush. See our shoe sole guide.
Drying Glitter Shoes
- If they get wet: habbot says blot with a dry cloth and air dry away from heat. Frēda Salvador says air dry naturally away from heat and sun.
- Stuffing: The Laced Shoe and The Fold London use tissue paper. DecentFoot uses newspaper or kitchen towel.
- Heat: The Laced Shoe says no hairdryers or heaters. DecentFoot says a hairdryer on low heat from at least six inches away is an option if you are in a hurry. That is the one place the sources split.
- Sun: habbot says glitter fades in direct sunlight.
Odor
The Laced Shoe sprinkles baking soda inside overnight and shakes it out. No other source covers odor. That is one site’s tip with no test data. Do not wet the glitter to fix it.
Where the Sources Disagree
Any liquid at all. Frēda Salvador says no cleaning products. habbot says do not rinse. Aspinal of London allows a dampened cloth. Pisamonas and The Laced Shoe allow soapy water on a cloth. DecentFoot says to avoid water and also scrubs and rinses. General advice: start with the maker’s page for your pair, and if it says dry only, believe it.
Hairspray. Only Pisamonas suggests it.
Hairdryer. The Laced Shoe says no. DecentFoot allows low heat from a distance.
Professional cleaning. Stuart Weitzman recommends it for deeper cleaning. The guides do not.
Questions About Glitter Shoes, Answered
“Can you wash glitter shoes?”
The Laced Shoe says no soaking and no machine. Pisamonas says wetting glitter makes it peel off quickly. habbot says do not rinse.
“Can you use water on glitter shoes?”
Sparingly. Pisamonas and The Laced Shoe dab with a barely damp cloth and dry right away. Frēda Salvador says no cleaning products at all.
“How do you keep glitter from falling off?”
Avoid abrasive surfaces (Frēda Salvador, Stuart Weitzman, The Fold London). Pisamonas uses a light hairspray. habbot and DecentFoot suggest a protector spray.
“Is some shedding normal?”
Yes, say Frēda Salvador, habbot and Aspinal of London.
“What should I never use?”
Oils, creams and polishes (habbot, Pisamonas). Bleach, harsh cleaners and alcohol (The Laced Shoe).
“How do you dry wet glitter shoes?”
Blot, stuff with tissue, air dry away from heat and sun.
“How should I store them?”
A dust bag or cloth bag, separately, in a cool dry place, out of the sun.
“When should I use a professional?”
Stuart Weitzman says for deeper cleaning. General advice: for a pair you care about and a stain that dry brushing will not shift.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Scrubbing or abrasive cloths. habbot, Stuart Weitzman.
- Oils, creams and polishes. habbot, Pisamonas.
- Soaking or the washing machine. The Laced Shoe.
- Bleach, harsh cleaners and alcohol. The Laced Shoe.
- Heat from radiators, hot cars or direct sun. Aspinal of London, Pisamonas, habbot.
- Cosmetics and toiletries near the glitter. Aspinal of London.
- Glue on the glitter. The Laced Shoe.
How we checked this
- Steps come from Frēda Salvador, habbot, Aspinal of London, Stuart Weitzman, The Fold London, Pisamonas, The Laced Shoe and DecentFoot. We name who says each thing.
- The sources differ on water, hairspray and heat, so we show each side. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- Some sources sell glitter shoes. None gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Glitter Shoe Care Helpers
A soft dry brush, a microfiber cloth and a protector spray cover what the brands and sites below describe. These are listed on Amazon.
wet n wild powder brush
A soft synthetic makeup brush, the kind of tool Pisamonas describes for dusting glitter.
Check it on Amazon
Crep Protect shoe protector spray
A water and stain repellent spray. Test on a hidden spot first.
Check it on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can you wash glitter shoes?
The Laced Shoe says no soaking and no machine. Wetting glitter can make it peel (Pisamonas).
What is the safest way to clean them?
A soft dry brush or cloth (Frēda Salvador, habbot, Stuart Weitzman).
Can you use water?
Sparingly, on a barely damp cloth, dried right away (Pisamonas, The Laced Shoe).
Why do glitter shoes shed?
Some loss is normal (Frēda Salvador, habbot, Aspinal of London). Abrasion makes it worse.
Does hairspray help?
Only Pisamonas suggests a light spray from about 20 cm.
Can you use a protector spray?
habbot and DecentFoot suggest one. Test on a small area first (The Laced Shoe).
How do you dry them?
Air dry away from heat and sun, stuffed with tissue.
When should you go to a professional?
Stuart Weitzman says for deeper cleaning.
The Short Version
Brush dry, dab only when needed, never scrub or soak, and keep them away from heat and rough surfaces.
