How To Clean Crepe Soles – Learn Step By Step
Crepe soles are created from coagulated latex, also referred to as ‘crepe rubber.’ Because of their porous texture, they are unique from other kinds of soles. In addition to being more flexible, crepe sole boots or shoes offer greater comfort than many other choices.
Pure and simple, this is a natural product. With the crepe soles, you can walk and stand in a completely natural manner. The natural crepe sole has become an expensive and sought-after item these days.
Most shoe manufacturers no longer offer crepe soles. This is due mainly to the fact that they are complex to manufacture. This also increases the cost of making them. Compared to other mineral oil-based materials such as TPU, EVA, or lightweight rubber, crepe sole is expensive.
The finishing of crepe soles requires expert knowledge and extensive experience. Therefore, these soles are usually only found in luxury footwear. It is not without disadvantages, however.
The porous nature of the material leads to a gradual accumulation of dirt over time. That white glow will fade out, and there is no way to restore it. However, there is a way you can keep your crepe sole clean. Here are a few tips for cleaning them.
The Reality Cleaning Of Crepe soles
How can you clean crepe soles effectively?
You don't!
That’s the short answer.
As it ages, the crepe darkens from a light cream color to a dark brown color. If you don’t “clean” the soles regularly, they will darken, and you won’t be able to restore their original light cream color.
As the rubber meets the road, the sole bottom will become quite dark. As a result, the bottoms of the soles have a black appearance since the gummy crepe picks up fine dirt. Aside from the areas that touch the ground, these areas will age and become the same color as the sides.
What Can You Do Then?

Using a stiff bristle brush will help remove mud and other road hazards from the sole edges. Clean your brush with Formula 409 if you need to loosen and clean more than the brush can handle.
If you’re working on crepe rubber, you shouldn’t use anything that contains petroleum or alcohol, such as WD-40, denatured alcohol, nail polish remover, etc.
As a result, the rubber will dissolve. Crepe rubber is very natural rubber, and at the same time, it is also a very crude rubber. The product cannot withstand any petroleum- or alcohol-based product since it is not cured or treated.
You can use a soft bristle brush for the big dirt that accumulates over time to clean them up. You can also create a solution of mild detergent and clean your crepe sole with it. After you are done, and the sole is dry, use a pencil eraser to make the sole cleaner.
Cleaning A Natural Crepe Sole
However, if you feel your honey-colored or white crepe soles are too dirty, you can partially clean them using these simple tricks. In other words, they won’t look like they just came out of a shoebox after going through this process.
1. Using Curd Soap
Warm water is used to dampen the crepe sole before cleaning. Alternatively, you can put the soap on the brush and apply it to the sole using a brush or directly on the sole. Once this is done, you can proceed to step 2.
When cleaning crepe soles, what should you consider? Avoid applying solvents to the sole of your shoes, including turpentine, cleaning solvents, and enamel removers. Molten methanol or ethanol is used to make the majority of solvents.
Using a product made of 100% natural products such as crepe soles, Sioux incurs irreversible damage when the sole is exposed to solvents and will not be able to repair it.
Using an inappropriate treatment could result in the surface becoming sticky, which would additionally absorb the soil.
2. Using A Grease-Removing Detergent
With a sponge, one must lather the sole with the colorless detergent. Warm water and the detergent should be mixed well. Then use a brush (an old toothbrush will do) to remove the coarse dirt and use clean water to wash it off.
Using soft forward and backward movements, the sponge, can be used to make fine adjustments. Keep leather uppers dry at all times.
These types of footwear are frequently produced due to their crepe soles paired with velour leather uppers (also known as suede). In order to prevent damage to the leather upper section, the detergent must not be applied.
3. Don’t Use Harsh Solvents
Crepe sole shoes should not be cleaned with solvents, such as turpentine. The rubber material will become weaker and less effective over time if this is done due to its nature as a natural material. The sole can become even dirtier when you use solvents!
It is common for crepe sole shoes to change over the course of their lifetime. While you can clean them, you can’t restore them to as good of condition as they once were. In addition to crepe soles, we offer other types of soles so that you can find the ideal pair for you.
What Causes Crepe Soles To Become Sticky?
Using a product made of 100% natural products such as crepe soles, Sioux incurs irreversible damage when the sole is exposed to solvents and will not be able to repair it. Using an inappropriate treatment could result in the surface becoming sticky, which would additionally absorb the soil.
For Maintaining Clean Crepe Soles, Do I Need A Care Routine?
Natural crepe soles mimic a person’s natural walking and standing form. There is a disadvantage to this material: they gradually become dirty since they have open pores.
Having some dirt on these shoes is not a big deal – it adds character to this natural product and gives them a unique appearance. We walk a lengthy and sometimes dusty path over the years, and the sole reflects all of that. This is the reason why we would advise against keeping the soles completely pristine.
What Is The Best Way To Treat Crepe Soles?
Rugged and durable, the crepe sole withstands a lot of wear. There is no need to protect it specifically. It should, however, not be exposed to extreme environmental factors since it is a natural product.
Ideally, you should avoid contact with extremely hot tarmac (for example, in desert areas) so that your soles can be as comfortable as possible. Gasoline and other similar solvents should not be used on shoes- they can damage their surface.
As durable as traditional soles made from minerals or chemicals, crepe soles are also made of fibers. Softness, flexibility, naturalness, and sustainability are the features that distinguish it.
Can I Clean Rubber Soles the Same Way as Crepe Soles?
Cleaning crepe soles and rubber soles requires different methods. While both may accumulate dirt and grime over time, it’s best to treat them differently. Crepe soles are delicate and should be cleaned using a soft brush or cloth with mild detergent. On the other hand, rubber soles can generally withstand more abrasive cleaning, allowing for the use of a scrub brush or sponge. So, when it comes to cleaning, the approach for Crepe Sole Vs Rubber should be adapted accordingly.
Final Words
My experience has taught me you can’t clean crepe rubber soles the way you can clean regular boot soles. You may want to avoid a crepe sole if you are OCD about cleaning your shoes.
They are pretty and comfortable, but I will probably avoid crepe soles in the future because of the dirt they pick up. And that’s all there is to know about cleaning crepe soles.