How to Clean & Deodorize Bobs Shoes

Bobs are a type of shoes made by Skechers. Similar to Toms, they feature a slip-on design that makes them both comfortable and easy to wear. The best part is that they donate a portion of every sale to the Petco Foundation. In other words, you get to help animals by buying their shoes.

More About Skechers

Skechers is an American footwear company. Since their launch in 1992, they’ve become one of the largest athletic footwear brands in the U.S. Currently, they offer two types of shoes—those from their lifestyle division and those from their performance division (Bobs falls into the former category).

Aside from their retail stores, you can find their shoes at Mark’s, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target, and various other retailers. Of course, you can also shop online via their website. They offer free shipping for all Skecher Elite members (their membership program).

More About Bobs Shoes

Bobs are a type of shoes that are designed to save the lives of dogs and cats. The way it works, Skechers will make a donation to the Petco Foundation with every purchase. What’s the Petco Foundation? It’s a non-profit animal welfare organization that aims to improve animal welfare.

Design-wise, these shoes are very similar to Toms, as mentioned earlier. There’s one difference, however—they feature striking patterns, usually those of animals. For example, they have many prints that feature dogs. With that said, they also have “neutral” patterns as well.

As far as price goes, it depends on the print. Generally speaking, though, you can get a pair for under $50. Every once in a while, they’ll also have sales where you can get a pair for cheaper. Regardless of the discount, however, the brand will make a donation to help the animals.

Taking Care of Bobs Shoes 

Similar to Toms, Bobs are made from canvas material. In other words, they’re not exactly resistant to dirt. Wear them continuously and they will get dirty. But then again, what kind of shoes will stay clean forever?

Considering that, you want to do your part to keep the shoes clean. Not only will they look better but they’ll also last longer. For one thing, you don’t want to wear them if it’s raining outside—that’s a mess waiting to happen. Another thing is that you want to clean them as soon as possible if they’ve gotten dirty. The sooner you take care of the dirt, mud, or whatever it is, the easier it’ll be.

Different Styles of Bobs Shoes

The most popular type of Bobs resemble Toms, however, that’s not the only style that they offer. As it turns out, they have a few other collections as well. Let’s take a brief look at them below.

Traditional Bobs aka “Toms” Style

Traditional Bobs are the ones that resemble Toms. Made from woven textile fabric, they feature a slip-on design with a tucked toe pleat front. There’s also a bone-shaped metal logo on the heel that says “Bobs for Dogs.” While they don’t offer as much support as some of the other styles, they do come with a rubber traction outsole. They also come with a cushioned insole, something that sets them apart from actual Toms.

Bobs Beach Collection

These shoes are a little different in that they resemble sneakers. Essentially, they’re slip-ons with laces. You don’t have to actually tie them up, though. If anything, they’re more of a decoration. After all, these shoes come with an elasticized collar so that you can slip them on and off easily. On top of that, they come with arch support and a cushioned insole.

Bobs Marley Jr. Collection 

These shoes feature a platform sole (3/4 inch), which is what sets them apart from the other styles. Their construction, however, is very similar to other Bobs in that they come with a memory foam insole and a flexible rubber traction outsole. There’s also a solid-colorer canvas heel and collar trim.

How to Wash Bobs Shoes

One of the great things about Bobs is that they are relatively easy to clean compared to other shoes. This has to do with the fact that they’re made from textile materials. Put it simply, the fabric can be washed with no problems. Here are a couple of ways to do that.

Washing Your Bobs Shoes With the Washing Machine

Believe it or not but you can wash your Bobs shoes the same way that you do laundry. In other words, you can put them in the washing machine. Before you go ahead and do that though, clean the sole off with a soft-bristled brush. The cleaner it is, the better it’ll do in the washer. It might also be a good idea to wipe down the textile upper.

Once you’ve got it all “clean”, put it in a laundry bag and place it in the washer. If anything, this is super important. Without the bag, your Bobs will be thrown around during the wash cycle, which could damage them. Another thing—wash the shoes separately by themselves. Avoid washing them together with your clothes. To help balance the weight, add in a few medium or large-sized towels.

The next step is to set your washer to a gentle cycle. You should always choose cold water—hot water can end up melting the adhesives in the shoes. From there, add in the soap. ACTIVE detergent is an excellent choice since these shoes are made from a textile material. Depending on the type of machine that you have, you either want to pour the powder to the bottom of the washer or place it in the drawer compartment. Make sure you don’t add any bleach—it’ll fade the nice print that’s on your Bobs!

Let the washing machine do the rest. Take your Bobs out once the cycle is done and let them air dry overnight (it can take longer depending on the style). Never put the shoes in the dryer—the fabric can rip or shrink.

Hand Washing Your Bobs Shoes

Nervous about putting your Bobs in the washing machine? Consider cleaning them by hand instead. Start by using a soft bristle brush to remove any dirt that’s on the upper. Repeat with the sole. The goal is to remove all debris before you actually start to “wash” the shoes.

Fill a bowl 3/4 full with warm water. Add in some ACTIVE detergent to create a soapy solution. Mix the liquid with your hand until bubbles start to appear. Dip an old toothbrush into detergent water and use it to clean up your Bobs. Always move it in a gentle, circular motion. Avoid the urge to scrub as it can harm the material.

Optional: Consider soaking your Bobs in a container of the soapy water if they’re excessively dirty. That’ll allow the detergent to lift off the dirt and grime. Generally speaking, 15 to 20 minutes should do. Once you’ve taken them out, you’ll want to rinse off the soap with running water (it’s probably easiest to do so in the tub).

Finally, let your Bobs air dry. Given that the material isn’t necessarily thick, it shouldn’t take too long. Do not put them in the dryer.

Spot Cleaning Your Bobs Shoes

Have a few visible stains on your Bobs? Instead of putting them in the washer or washing them by hand, you can just spot clean them. That way, you won’t have to wait that long for them to dry.

The first step is to mix ACTIVE detergent with water in a bowl to create a soapy solution. Dip an old toothbrush or sponge into the liquid and use it to spot clean the stain. Ideally, you want to work from the outside to the inside—that way, you won’t have to worry about spreading it to other parts of the shoe.

Rinse the brush afterward and use it to remove the soap. When you’re finished, allow the spots to dry. If the stains are still visible, you may wish to repeat the above steps or put the whole thing in the washing machine.

Best Ways to Remove Odors from Bobs Shoes

Many people choose to wear Bobs without socks. After all, they’re slip-ons. While that’s great and all, it also means that the shoes will come into contact with the sweat from your feet. Over time, this can result in a noticeable odor. Here are a few ways that you can fix that problem:

Put Your Bobs in the Freezer

Bobs are relatively compact, especially the classics. This means that you can easily fit them in the freezer. If anything, that’s one of the easiest ways to deodorize your shoes. The bacteria that’s causing the smell won’t be able to survive in the freezing temperatures. Simply leave them in overnight and take them out the next morning. Tip—put your Bobs in a plastic bag!

Pour Baking Soda Inside Your Bobs

Baking soda is highly versatile and one of the things that you can use them for is your shoes. Pour a liberal amount of the powder inside your Bobs and wait overnight. It’ll absorb the smells so that they’ll smell fresh again the following morning. If you don’t want to get the insoles dirty, you can always put the powder in a sock and put the sock inside the shoes.

Wipe Your Bobs with White Vinegar 

White vinegar is another thing that you can use to clean your Bobs. Pour a bit onto a clean cloth or paper towel and use it to wipe the insole as well as the top and sides. Its weak acidic properties will neutralize any odor that’s present. It won’t smell like vinegar either as long as you let it dry completely.