Buying Guides
How to Clean and Care for Your Child’s Shoes
Start with the material and the care instructions for the pair you own. A little preparation helps you avoid treating every shoe the same way.
Read before you wash
Find the care instructions for your exact shoe and check the upper, sole and any decorative details. Fabric, synthetic leather and natural leather should not automatically be treated alike.
Our Signature First Walker Shoes list hand washing and drying flat. That is a useful example of why you should read the label: a familiar-looking sneaker is not necessarily machine washable.
Prepare the pair
Remove loose dirt gently before beginning the cleaning method allowed for the shoe. Open the fastenings so you can reach around the opening without pulling hard on the straps.
Check whether any insole is removable and whether its own instructions allow washing. Do not force a fixed insole out or assume every pair has the same construction.
Keep the method specific
For a pair labeled for hand washing, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the cleaning product and method. Do not transfer a wash routine from a different material or use a stronger treatment just because a stain remains.
For leather or a combination of materials, use the instructions supplied for that pair. If the label is unclear, ask for care advice before soaking or washing it. The aim is to clean the shoe while respecting its construction.
Leave time to dry
Follow the specified drying method. For our featured First Walker Shoes, that means drying flat. Avoid assuming that a dryer or direct heat is appropriate simply because the outside feels sturdy.
Allow the shoes to dry fully before storage. Plan cleaning when you have time for the drying step, rather than right before the next outing.
Use care time for a fit check
While the pair is out, look at the fastenings and sole and check for damage. Cleaning does not repair worn or broken parts.
Also ask whether the shoes still fit. A well-cared-for pair can become too small as your child grows. Record a new measurement when needed and use the fit guide before deciding whether to keep wearing the same size.
