How I Clean Shoes For Selling on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, or Mercari

Cleaning shoes to sell on eBay is easy if you are willing to put in the work. I show you what products and cleaners I use to get the job done with examples included.
Finding shoes at thrift stores like Goodwill and Savers and flipping them online on websites like eBay, Mercari, Etsy, or Poshmark can bring in a lot of extra money. Make no mistake, though, it takes some elbow grease and work. In this video I show how I...
- How to remove marker of the bottom of the shoe where the thrift store priced them.
- How to clean dirt of the bottom of shoes.
- How to clean shoes (body).
- How to get grease out of leather.
- How to fix scuffs on shoes toes.
- How to clean suede and leather.
- How to whiten shoes.
- How to list shoes on eBay (photo box, shoe riser, and amount of photos).
Plenty of shoe selling tips, but let me and others now in the comments your preferred way to clean and prep shoes for reselling.
//MY RESELLING TOOLBOX
amzn.to/2LalfeI
//WHO AM I?
I'm Wick and I am a reseller for a living. I find things at garage sales, thrift stores, and even clearance at retail stores to sell. I do online arbitrage, retail arbitrage, and buy locally. While the majority of my business is done through Amazon FBA, I also sell on eBay or anywhere else I can flip the junk that I find.
I also trade stocks and futures, do affiliate marketing, and Merch by Amazon to make money online. My goal is to live a free life away from the typical 9-5 job.
Subscribe and join me on my adventures to see what I can find to make some dollars.
#sellingshoes #ebay #cleaningshoes
//FOLLOW ME
Instagram: / flipping_junk
Twitter: / flipping_junk
//FAQ
Q: What Apps do you use to sell online (eBay and Amazon)?
A: I search the eBay sold and completed listings to get an idea of what products are selling for. I use the Amazon Seller App to scan for FBA.
Q: Can you make a living selling online?
A: Yes, the difficulty is based on how much effort you put in and how much you need to make each month. I do this full time.
Q: Where do you find your clearance products to resell?
A: Literally everywhere. Check end caps and look for clearance aisles, but mostly it will be mixed in. Ask a manager if there's any good clearance deals and build a relationship if possible.
Q: Do you make a full-time living selling online?
A: I do. All my bills are covered, I'm able to save a good amount, and put money back into the business. I also do other things to make money, but reselling is the meat. It takes a lot of work and dedication to make a full-time living reselling.
Please like, comment, and subscribe! It keeps me motivated and happy. Thanks :D
Please consider sharing the video to help my channel grow and promote new videos. Links are amazon affiliate links. They help compensate me for the time it takes to shoot, edit, and upload these videos. Please consider supporting me for my time. Thanks.

[@KYFlipNShip]

An old timer taught me he cleans most all his shoes with shaving cream! A lot of suede type material, or around soles. 👍

[@MimisTreasureAttic]

Just a heads up in case you didn't know already, if you draw over the goodwill price with a dry erase marker you can then wipe it all away with a damp cloth. It only works on non porous things. It works great on glass, plastic and the bottom of shoes. If it doesn't take off everything the first time, do it again, until it's all removed. :) Thanks for your video! I picked up some great tips!

[@FlippingJunk]

Great tip!

[@a.ndi.6203]

The silver sharpie leaves a shadow of the price. First, clean it off with Expo marker then follow up with lemon essential oil and a q-tip.

[@sunflowervalley4145]

The hassle factor def comes into play with shoes! I have a tote of death pile shoes too due to the time involved. Excellent tutorial, Wick!

[@firehazard51]

If you want to know how to clean suede shoes then look at military boot cleaning kits. US military has been using suede boots for a while and I've used them to clean my boots back in basic. Your one tool looked familiar. I think the "military boot" cleaning kits just come with more cleaning product because how often you are suppose to clean your boots and the surface area to clean is larger than a shoe.

[@dmakaveli831]

Dude thank you so much for this! And the mini studio too...damn I might need to invest in one

[@williamkeasling12]

Great pro tips. Thanks for the content.

[@bourboncitypicker4807]

I'll start picking up docs now thank you for the tips brother

[@Marie00163984]

Love this video.Very informative.

[@Subachacko]

Pure gold. Thanks brother

[@ellisgarvin]

I've always washed sneakers in the washing machine along with a load of towels or something similar. Never had any damage result and they come out hecka clean and bright.

[@irenec2968]

Thank you for these great tips.

[@chastitygrant5304]

Thanks for the goo gone tip! I’ll have to try that with my light box.

[@iMode413]

Wick, amazingly good info! I've just started flipping shoes, so this is gold to me. For some reason I don't get too skeezed out about handling dirty things like shoes or vacuum cleaners. My main issue is what kind of time I invest cleaning versus the profit. Sometimes it's hard to call.

[@FlippingJunk]

Time is always the real enemy in the end.

[@thishandleisnotavailable]

After you turn a $10 pair of Nike into $200, you'll be hooked...

[@mrt5040]

Great pro tips. Thanks for the share!

[@jerryrussell278]

Good video brother! Never tried the scotty peeler on the marker before, but I've always had good luck with 70-90% rubbing alcohol and a swab. And that scuff wax is like shoes crack! Gotta git me summa that!! lol

[@deadeyefinds838]

Dude, thank you. this will definitely speed up my cleaning process! Subscribed :)

[@mrslehman3]

Thanks for the tips

[@brettlott570]

Dang that white scuff cleaner got those nike bottoms looking 👍 Thanks for another great video ✌

[@JRod7245]

i like to use magic eraser on the white parts on shoes. mainly around the bottoms

[@FlippingJunk]

I have used magic eraser on shoes before, I wish I would have remembered to mention it in this video lol.

[@reesee6420]

Thank you.

[@victoriareynolds3154]

Thanks

[@CharlesMichaelSidwell]

Just a note for those people who may not already know: The reason why you find those numbers under written in typically silver permanent marker, etc, is because as they pull shoes out of the donation bins/boxes/gaylord boxes, one person writes down the estimated price of the shoe on the bottoms. Then whoever put the shoes out on the floor only needs to adjust their price tape gun to the price written. Around here, the Goodwill's will write the price in roman numerals, because a lot of people (customers) don't know what they mean. So, if they write XI under the bottom, it stands for $11.00. The person pricing the shoes with the tape label price will put $10.99 on them, because they round to the nearest .99 cents. Or, they may just write "11" under the bottom, or write "25-" ,meaning price at $24.99. This also ensures that people aren't swapping out the tags, like the famous MACKLEMORE "Thrift Shop" song mentions. If someone swaps the tags to a cheaper price by removing tags from the cheaper shoes to the ones they want, the cashier knows it's actually the price written on the bottom. If they match up, then you're good. I see a lot of tag bandits get called out at the register when they go to check out, thinking they're gonna get those $25 shoes for $10. Not gonna happen.

[@CarolinaHustler]

Some good tips

[@Bigalhunting]

Awesome, are the boots listed yet? I've got that pair right now and need to update if they are the right size. Thanks

[@21natalia211]

Any tips for deep creases on docs?

[@xfilesmanson]

Wick Tip If you see The X Files VHS collection on the Goodwill shelf. Look for the promo cards inside the boxes.

[@thishandleisnotavailable]

How valuable are the cards?

[@cliff32ord63]

Great tips...and with a sense of humor. Getting those silver marks off the sole is very easy with straight acetone--you can buy it at Home Depot in quart cans--cheap, and it goes a long way. It will take off about anything. Just don't use it in the shoe itself; it will take off the color. And use gloves; it's pretty toxic.

[@haljor7]

A toothbrush and WD-40 will clean off paint marker much easier. Also, a magic eraser is a must have when cleaning shoes.

[@Snarkapotamus]

Problem with Magic Erasers is they're really flimsy...E-Z Clean and a combo sponge works just as well or better and doesn't wear out nearly as fast.

[@Joe-yc4fs]

I finally found somebody who finally said when your selling on ebay do not leave the old price tag on . I wondered about this. I was just looking for a simple answer to a simple question. I had to watch 2 MONTHS of youtube to get this answer. Granted I kind of knew but Im green as a turd after leafy greens. Jesus. Can somebody make a video for the stupid questions as well?

[@jeffdorris5321]

Nice work 🎇🎆✨

[@jessejohnson4863]

Best way to get the marker off the bottom is with mineral spirits on a terry cloth. Takes about 5 seconds.

[@haljor7]

Brushing the white soles with toothpaste cleans them really nicely too.

[@FlippingJunk]

That's a good idea!

[@alittlebluebird9393]

Thanks for all the great tips! What do you use to get the metallic marker off leather soles?? I've even tried sandpaper!!!

[@FlippingJunk]

Not sure if you are referring to something else, but I use that lift off and it takes every marker off I've tried. Takes a lot of scraping on some shoes.

[@alittlebluebird9393]

@@FlippingJunk i have mens leather sole dress shoes and a pair of expensive womans heels and I have used everything! But I will go give that a shot too

[@amy64091]

Nail polish remover will easily remove the ink on the bottom

[@PiquaResellers]

Nice tips! New to your channel and we are basically neighbors lol. You know my wife Sarah.

[@EDO..]

How do you sell sneakers on Etsy whenever I try to my account gets banned for selling non handmade items

[@joe-nu7uz]

very informative video - to clean the white on tennis shoes try non acetone nail polish remover - i thought there is no way it would work ... swipe it on with a cotton ball ... you will be amazed.

[@thishandleisnotavailable]

Non acetone nail polish remover tends to evaporate slower than straight acetone, it can also ruin the shoe if it touches suede, or painted graphics like those found on Asics. It has a tendency to 'dull' the finish of the shoe. I recommend forking over 30$ and buying reshoven8r online because you cant find it in stores. I would only recommend straight acetone over the nail polish remover strictly for the soles ONLY

[@sherryporter4248]

What kind of sponge are you using on the Dr. Martens shoes in this video?

[@vinnysanchez2419]

another great video flipping junk. My eyeballs always thank u :)

[@kathygurnett9850]

Finger nail polish remover removes the ink.

[@bionicdonkeyIII]

To remove gum from soles, you can try WD-40. Just be careful that it doesn’t leak around to the leather.

[@rc_swift1772]

Do you look up individual shoes because I find it hard to figure out the name of every different pair of shoe? Or is there just brands and designs you stick to that you buy? Also unfortunately my GW seems to over price alot :/

[@Chicago48]

for me, I stick with certain brands based on what sold in the past. Adidas, for example, sells well. I normally don't buy sneaker shoes for the reason he's doing -- you have to clean them. I like to buy shoes that are "from the returns department" and you know them when you see them. Very little work needed.

[@rc_swift1772]

Do these products work for other items other than shoes? Like will any of these take the sticky residue left over from price stickers or removes price stickers that don't peel completely off the item?

[@FlippingJunk]

Googone takes all the sticky away. I use the easy cleaner on almost everything I clean for resale.

[@rc_swift1772]

Also what scale and lighting do you recommend for selling on ebay?

[@FlippingJunk]

There's a link in the description for every product I use and recommend.

[@devanrogers3133]

What is the best way to sell and list sneakers that have been worn once but I cleaned and look new again?? I have lots of new shoes I need to sell but also alot of technically worn just don't look that way. I'm just wondering which place is the best to sell those types of shoes. I have lots of experience in selling new shoes and where to sell them. I'm just curious because I know the price difference in new vs used is huge.

[@FlippingJunk]

If they look new and have zero flaws, then I sell new without box. If they have even the slightest wear you can sell them as new with defects or just list as used and put clean or worn once in the title.

[@dustinwiggin9470]

Got some cheap Nike LeBrons on marketplace and they smelled like smoke...I was like crap. They been through the water with odoban. Still kinda smelled, so been doing some spray mix letting them dry and repeat.

[@astronomer25]

Can you use an ozone generator? That is what fire restoration companies use to remove smoke odors. It will deodorize the shoes too

[@resalemindset264]

If those red nikes are size 11 ill take em

[@kathyroot1554]

💛

[@ychongy]

Do you ever throw all used shoes in a washer? Feel like the smell, odor and feet sweat needs to be cleared?

[@FlippingJunk]

I wash certain pairs of shoes in the washer if they need it.

[@zamis21]

How do you ship your shoes? In bag and box or shoe box??

[@FlippingJunk]

I use the priority mail shoe boxes that are free.

[@certifiedrhodess356]

How do you store them after in a bin?

[@FlippingJunk]

Yes, I put them in totes and separate by brand.

[@thishandleisnotavailable]

Some sneakerheads would prefer the yellowed sole on that pair of Nike over cleaning them.

[@cdcVintage]

Hey buddy! I bought some Poshmark stock last week. Bad move?

[@FlippingJunk]

I don't think it's a bad move. It's more risky, but could have good gains.

[@manleyman2488]

Wear some gloves, Wick 😂 that hair was nasty lol

[@timsherry7070]

Toothpaste and toothbrush from the dollar store work wonders!

[@Joe-yc4fs]

the goodwills where i am price their shoes at $26... lol. obviously i shouldnt even waste my time looking at shoes

[@mayydayyy]

you dont clean the inside of the shoe at all?!

[@HB-zk7ms]

This video came out 1 day too late for me

[@sole_havennz]

U should try being a sneaker reseller it makes u a fortune

[@HoosierHustle]

I don't sell used shoes because I know they'll just end up in my death pile. I don't mind cleaning old game consoles, but I doubt I would ever get motivated to clean shoes...

[@thishandleisnotavailable]

My "death" pile consists of about six boxes 20x20x20 FULL. I just procrastinate on listing them, so cant really call it a death pile. I can easily make bank off them once I get to cleaning the ones that need it and listing them. Lets say 60 pairs, i pay an average of $8 each. Even if I sell them all for $25 each + shipping, thats over $1000 profit, and most of them have sold comps of $50 average, some well over $100. I dont buy beat up shoes so its usually only some marker removal and some general light cleanup.

[@bourboncitypicker4807]

You are putting to much work in that brother. I use this suede shoe cleaner on spray wipe off maybe one more time and it's done

[@brettlott570]

Hello what's the name of the cleaner you say you use. Thanks for any info✌

[@jayden42204]

Man if you ever want to unload some shoes, whatever hit me up.

[@thishandleisnotavailable]

I got 5 boxes of mostly Nikes and Adidas that I need to list up for sale What you need, lol. I even got many pairs of the late great Kobe! Im serious though, you looking still? 😉

[@Chicago48]

I cannot even touch those nasty shoes. NO WAY JOSE. You should use gloves. PUT SOME GLOVES ON! Why not just put the jeans in the washing machine?

[@randywilkey8729]

Use gloves.............

[@LukeEdwards18]

Thanks