How to Refresh Old Shoes in 6 Steps: From Laces to Heel Lining

A pair of shoes rarely wears out all at once. The sole is still fine, but the laces are dingy, the insole is flat and there is a hole in the lining at the back. Those are exactly the parts you can replace yourself. It takes an hour to refresh old shoes and costs a fraction of the price of a new pair. This blog shows you in six steps how to make a worn pair look fresh again and when it is no longer worth the effort.

In short

• Start by cleaning. Only then can you see what is really worn out.
• New laces make the biggest visible difference for the least effort.
• A new insole makes the shoe comfortable again and gets rid of the smell.
• You can repair a worn-through heel lining yourself with a self-adhesive pad.
• If the outsole is worn through or coming away, a refresh is no longer enough.

How to refresh old shoes: what do you tackle?

What you see	What you do	Read more
Dirty upper and dirty sole edge	Clean with a shoe cleaner and a brush	Cleaning kits
Dingy, frayed or stretched laces	Wash or replace	How to wash shoelaces
Flat, worn or smelly insole	Replace the insole	When to replace insoles
Hole in the lining at the heel	Repair with a pad	Worn heel lining
Creases in the toe	Use shoe trees or crease guards	Why use shoe trees
Stains that soon come back	Protect again	How to waterproof shoes

Step 1: clean

First take out the laces and the insoles. That lets you reach every part and lets the shoes dry on the inside. Brush off loose dirt while it is dry, then clean the upper and the sole edge with a cleaner that suits the material. Leather and canvas can take a damp brush. Suede is cleaned dry. How that works is explained in how to clean suede shoes. For leather, read how to care for leather shoes.

You will find a complete kit with cleaner and brush under cleaning kits. Individual products are under shoe cleaners and brushes. After cleaning, let the shoes air dry, not next to the radiator.

Step 2: wash or replace the laces

Laces shape the overall look more than you think. A clean shoe with dingy laces still looks worn. If your laces are only dirty, wash them by hand. If they are frayed, stretched or the aglet is broken, new laces are the better choice.

Measure the old lace from aglet to aglet and choose the same length and width. The steps are in the guide how to replace shoelaces. It is also the moment to try something different. A different shade of white or an accent color changes the whole shoe. You will find ideas in customise your sneakers with laces.

Step 3: replace the insoles

The insole absorbs every step and soaks up sweat for months on end. If it feels flat and hard, if you can see the imprint of your foot or if the shoe keeps smelling, it is worn out. A new insole brings back the cushioning and removes the biggest source of odour. The insoles come in black, white and grey. Choose your normal shoe size and lay the old insole on the new one to compare the shape.

Step 4: repair the heel lining

A hole in the lining at the back of the shoe is caused by friction from your heel. It rubs, ruins your socks and quickly gets bigger. With a self-adhesive pad you can patch it in a few minutes. You will find the pads under heel lining repair. Clean and dry the lining first, otherwise the pad will not stick properly.

Step 5: reduce creases and restore the shape

You cannot get creases in the toe out completely, but you can reduce them and stop them getting worse. Shoe trees keep the shoe in shape when you are not wearing it and draw moisture out of the lining. Crease guards are worn inside the shoe. They support the toe from the inside, so it creases less deeply.

Step 6: protect and keep fresh

Once the shoes are clean and dry, protect them against moisture and dirt. A protective spray lays an invisible layer over the material, so rain and stains soak in less quickly. The products are under protection. If a slight smell still lingers after all the steps, a refreshing spray helps. Also read smelly shoes.

When is a refresh no longer enough?

Everything you can replace yourself is on the inside and on top of the shoe. The sole and the construction are not. A refresh makes little sense if:

• the outsole is worn through to the midsole;
• the sole is coming away from the upper over a large section;
• the upper is torn at a point where the shoe flexes;
• the midsole has collapsed, so the shoe sits crooked.

With good leather shoes, a cobbler can often still replace the sole. With most sneakers that is not worth the cost.

Frequently asked questions

What gives the best result if I am short on time?

Cleaning and new laces. It takes fifteen minutes and the shoe looks cared for straight away.

Can I refresh shoes in the washing machine?

Better not. The glue, the shape and the cushioning all suffer. Cleaning by hand is safer and gives a better result.

How often should I give my shoes a refresh?

A full refresh once or twice a year is enough. Small jobs, such as washing the laces and protecting the shoes again, can be done in between.

Is a refresh worth it for cheap shoes?

Often, yes. Laces, insoles and a heel pad together cost far less than a new pair and you get months more wear out of the shoe.

You will find everything for a refresh under shoe care. Choose new laces under laces by type.