For millennials, sneakers are a must-have piece of footwear. The perfect finishing touch for sophisticated city dwellers. We live in a society dominated by vanity, so it’s common to go to great lengths to guarantee our kicks keep their new-out-of-the-box look before investing in a second pair. Simple sneaker-cleaning methods may yield quick results, but make no mistake: not all stains are easily removed with toothpaste and a toothbrush, homemade baking soda and white vinegar, or a wet cloth and dish soap mixture. While a paper towel or an old toothbrush may suffice to remove loose debris, most tenacious stains require the use of a powerful yet gentle detergent and a scrub brush. So to give give you a little orientation, here are some tips on how to remove stains of different types of sneakers.
Spot Cleaning Your Sneakers
Nylon mesh is a wonderful pair of shoes, especially if you’re a bit athletic because of the airy fabric, but the netting collects all the dirt and dust as you move. To clean it, wipe any extra debris with a dry brush before combining one part baking soda with one part vinegar and allowing it to sit on the unclean place for around 15 minutes. Scrub gently for a minute or two before wiping clean with a soft damp towel. Allow the shoe to dry naturally.
Faux Leather
Wipe off the filthy spots with a cloth soaked in warm water and mild laundry detergent. Then use a brush to gently clean the area for a minute or two. To remove any leftover detergent, wipe clean with a gentle damp towel and air dry. If you have a white one, you may even use a melamine foam cleaning pad to clean it. Simply dampen the pad and begin cleaning the filthy sections of the shoe with it. To avoid rubbing off any color, only use this product on white shoes.
Canvas
Canvas shoes are long-lasting, but they get filthy quickly. He recommends using a toothbrush and a cleaning mixture composed of equal parts baking soda and warm water to clean these shoes. Scrub the canvas with the toothbrush dipped in the mixture until it is clean. Allow the shoes to air dry while still wearing the mixture, then wipe away any solidified baking soda with a wet towel. But if you are in a hurry you can also use the quick-fix solutions that can be bought in the stores.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Sneaker Cleaning
The Laces
During the cleaning process, laces might be a hindrance. Removing them frees up the cleaning surface and allows for easier access to difficult-to-reach areas. When working on the tongue and eyelets, you’ll see what we’re talking about.
Try to remove as much debris as possible
Keep in mind that your shoes will accumulate a lot of dirt and dust over time. Begin by slamming the soles of each shoe together to push out any dirt caught in the crevices. Then, with a soft brush, dry-brush each shoe carefully. This keeps any filth from sinking deeper into the material, making the job more difficult to complete. This also helps to speed up the cleaning process by reducing the amount of debris in the cleaning area.
Make sure that you’re using appropriate cleaning agents
The majority of sneaker-cleaning products are available in foam, liquid, or pad form. You should follow the label’s recommendations. It’s easy to understand. A firm brush is required for leather shoes, but a soft-bristle brush is appropriate for suede, mesh, and canvas sneakers. When dealing with darker stains, work the solution into the cloth in circular motions. Make sure you’re using the correct amount of substance; if you pour too much, it might have a long-term effect.
Drying and Storing
A lot of males make the mistake of putting their sneakers in the washing machine and dryer. Worst. Move. In. History. For starters, washing shoes in hot or warm water degrades the quality of the sneaker from the midsole to the top portion. Even worse, putting them in the dryer will cause them to bend or curl. Allowing them to air dry or using a soft cloth or, better yet, a microfiber towel are preferable alternatives. After that, be sure to store it correctly, such as in a box or securely stacked on your shoe rack.
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