How to clean and wash all kinds of sneakers

General rules for taking care of sneakers

Let's start with general recommendations on how to properly care for sneakers, so that they keep their presentable appearance longer.

• Use special products to protect sneakers from moisture, dust, and dirt. These can be sprays, creams with moisture-repellent impregnation that prevents raindrops or melted snow from absorbing into the material;

• Buy shoe deodorant. If you wear sneakers all the time, use a deodorant that will protect the inside of your sneakers from the growth of bacteria, the source of unpleasant odors;
• Use a spoon. Nothing ruins the look of a sneaker quite like a stomped and creased heel. A spoon allows you to put your sneakers on quickly and without damaging their appearance;
• Clean your sneakers daily or after each wear. The sooner you wash and clean the product, the easier it will be to remove dirt. Sneakers that have been worn for 1-2 weeks and not cleaned in between will not be easy to clean - dirt is absorbed into the material;
• Do not store your sneakers in the sun or close to heaters. This is especially important for leather products - the material may lose color and shrivel;
• Always dry your sneakers thoroughly. A damp sneaker cavity is a great breeding ground for bacteria, with which comes unpleasant odors or even infections;
• Choose individual care for each material. Leather sneakers and mesh require different approaches and different products;
• Don't neglect dry cleaning. Some stains, such as grass, are difficult to remove at home. Trying to scrub with a brush can make the problem worse and damage the material, so take your sneakers to a professional cleaner, and the sooner the better..

What products to use for cleaning sneakers

As we found out above, you need to care for your sneakers based on the material they are made of. Below we have examples of care products for different kinds of uppers, and if the material of your sneakers is not on the list - write about it in the comments and we will give recommendations on care.

Natural and synthetic leather

For natural and synthetic leather sneakers

• Jason Markk - PREMIUM DEEP CLEANING SOLUTION. The deep cleaner is suitable for all materials and even for furniture and carpets. A great solution when you need to remove tough dirt;
• Tarrago Factory - cleaning wipes. Wet wipes are an option for those who are often away from home. They help remove dirt from the surface of the skin, as well as give it a shine due to the wax in the composition.

Read more about shoe cosmetics for leather cleaning

When choosing a tool for cleaning leather shoes, pay attention to soft sponges, microfiber cloths.

Suede and nubuck

Suede and nubuck

Suede and nubuck sneakers are fastidious in care - their appearance is spoiled by active friction and too aggressive chemicals. In order not to spoil the pair, we recommend to use cleaning:

• Crep Protect - ERASER. The eraser is used to remove dust and dirt - just wipe the dirty area with it;
• Sneaker King - Angelus easy cleaner. Universal shoe cleaner gently removes dirt without damaging the integrity of suede or nubuck. Creates a generous foam, which can not be rinsed off with water, but simply removed with a dry or slightly damp towel;
• Tarrago Factory - Dry Cleaner. The dry spray helps remove dust and dirt without the water that suede and nubuck sneakers dislike so much.

From the tools are suitable brushes of medium hardness.

Knitwear and mesh

Knitwear and mesh

The complexity of knitted uppers, as well as mesh made of synthetic fibers in their porous structure, which does not allow one movement to erase a stain. Making it easier to take care of textile and mesh sneakers can help:

• Colloni - CARBON CLEANING FOAM. Reinforced foam is suitable for removing even stubborn dirt. It is suitable for all types of material, including mesh, knitwear and membranes;
• Jason Markk – RTU FOAM. This foam is great for all kinds of materials, but especially appreciated by owners of sneakers with textile tops. The foam holds its shape for a long time and does not absorb, destroying dirt.

Use sponges and wipes to clean sneakers with fabric and mesh uppers. Be careful with brushes - they can damage the integrity of the material. Use only soft brushes and without much pressure.

White Sneakers

White Sneakers

• Colloni - CARBON MIDSOLE CLEANER. The product is designed specifically for cleaning the side of white soles. It removes dirt, refreshing the white color;
• Solemate – sneaker shampoo Cleaner. The mild composition allows you to use the product for all types of sneakers. Does not cause yellowing of white shoes.

Underfoot products

Soles can be cleaned with the same as the top, but often the effectiveness of such cleaning is reduced - means for cleaning the upper sneakers enough concentrates and can not cope with ingrained dirt.

• Reshoevn8r – Revive. Creamy product helps remove traces of oxidation from the soles and prevent yellowing caused by UV rays;
• White Hands – Foam shoe cleaner. Suitable for removing difficult stains from soles such as grass, poplar resin, and stubborn dirt.

Cleaning tools at hand

Not everyone has special chemicals, so let's break down some popular home shoe care products:

• Soap. Usually use laundry soap - it has more alkalis, so the cleaning efficiency is higher. Soap is suitable for all types of soles, as well as tops made of leather or various synthetic fibers. Not recommended for nubuck and suede, especially in light shades;
• Toothpaste. White toothpaste paired with a toothbrush is great for cleaning soles as well as hard-to-reach places like seams, joints, and crevices;
• Baking soda. Works well with stubborn stains. Suitable for synthetic leather and various synthetic surfaces, but for nubuck and suede it is better not to use. Baking soda will help owners of white sneakers;
• Lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is good for white shoes that have lost their original appearance and turned yellow;
• Bleaches. Use household bleach for clothes only if it contains oxi, which is an oxygen base. Suitable for all types of material, but the grid must be cleaned gently so that the fabric does not corrode.

How to clean fabric sneaker tops

General recommendations on care and remedies have been taken apart, but now let's go deeper into the care of different kinds of sneaker uppers. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to properly clean sneakers with textile uppers.

This recommendation will work for products made of:

How to clean fabric sneakers:

1. Use a dry brush to remove surface dirt. Gently go over the heel, heel, sides of the sole, and toe;
2. If you have special cleaning chemicals, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If not, dilute a mild soap solution. You can use soap, dishwashing detergent, or laundry gel;
3. Take the laces and insoles out of your sneakers;
4. Hand wash the laces in the prepared solution and send them to dry;
5. Brush the soles with a soapy solution;
6. Moisten a soft sponge with the solution and go over the top fabric of your sneakers. In heavily soiled areas where there are stains, moisten the cloth more thoroughly and leave it on for a couple of minutes;
7. As a final step, remove any foam residue with a sponge or cloth dampened with clean water. Let the sneakers dry completely, lace them up, and you're ready to go out in them.

If the sneaker is very dirty and such cosmetic cleaning does not help, you can wash your sneakers in the washing machine on a delicate mode. Hand washing is also allowed, but in this case carefully rinse the shoes from soapy residue to avoid stains.

How to Dry:

1. The insoles and laces dry separately by taking them out of the sneakers;
2. Spread your sneakers on a flat, horizontal surface away from radiators and direct sunlight. Do not place your sneakers near radiators as this will stain and dry out the product.

The best cosmetics for sneakers with fabric uppers

How to clean leather sneaker tops

Cleaning instructions for natural and synthetic leather sneakers:

1. Unlace your sneakers and take out your insoles to make it easier to work in hard-to-reach places;
2. Insert a shoe spacer or stuff the sock with paper. This is important to keep the leather from getting creased during the washing process;
3. Use a dry, soft shoe brush to remove visible dirt from the soles, both where the tread is located and on the sides;
4. Take a soft sponge, wet it with water, and drop 3-4 drops of detergent. This could be a special shampoo for sneakers, dish detergent, or liquid soap;
5. Lather the product on a sponge and gently spread the foam over the entire surface of the sneaker, while scrubbing away dirt. For the sole, if it is not stained, you can use a brush and rub it with great force. On the upper, clean gently and without pressure;
6. Take out the reed and use a soft brush with 3-4 drops of detergent to go over the inside of the reed. Don't apply too much pressure - it usually uses a mesh that tears easily;
7. Use a microfiber cloth to remove the dirty foam from the sneaker;
8. Rinse the sponge and moisten with clean water. Rinse through all your sneakers to remove any foam and fine detergent particles;
9. Leave the sneakers to dry at room temperature in their disassembled form - without the insoles and laces;
10. On dry sneakers spray a special spray for protection and shine, or apply a special cream - color or colorless.

How to clean a mesh top

Cleaning the mesh is not an easy task, because detergents are not distributed on it and rubbing the problem areas will not work. To clean mesh sneakers, use foam products - we gave some examples above, and if there are no special chemicals, use this method:

1. Remove the insoles and laces from the sneakers. Use a brush to remove dry dirt - dirt particles and dust - from the surface;
2. Pour warm water into a basin - the temperature is no higher than 30-35 degrees;
3. Add laundry detergent, a little powder, or liquid soap to the water;
4. Put your sneakers in the basin, dragging them down a bit to let the water soak into the fabric;
5. Leave the sneakers to soak for 15-20 minutes;
6. With a soft brush with elastic lint or a sponge, start cleaning your sneakers. If the water is too dirty, you can change it before washing;
7. With moderate pressure, rub the top of the sneaker, the tongue, as well as the walls inside;
8. If your sneakers are too dirty, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the stains and let them soak for a few minutes;
9. Drain dirty water, pour clean water, and rinse your sneakers thoroughly. Do not twist or squeeze your shoes to avoid kinks and tears!
10. Hand wash the laces and brush the insoles.
11. Leave the sneakers to dry at room temperature.

Don't dry mesh sneakers by the radiator - shoes should dry naturally.

How to clean the sole of a sneaker

Cleaning the soleplate does not involve any special steps. The task here is only to choose a product that is effective in dealing with dirt.

Colored and black soles

Colored and black soles will be as good as new if used:

• Soap solution;
• Special shampoo for the soles of sneakers.

Colored and black soles tend not to absorb so much dirt, so surface cleaning is usually enough to return the sole to a neat appearance.

1. Pour some warm water into a container;
2. Moisten a sponge, cloth or soft brush with water and apply detergent such as shampoo, liquid soap, or dish detergent;
3. Lather up the product and spread the foam over the sole - touch the sides and the tread;
4. Use light, moderate pressure to remove dirt. If using a brush, don't apply too much pressure so as not to scratch the paint or leave scratches;
5. Remove the dirty foam with a damp cloth, rinse it off, and go over the soles again.

White sole

To bring the white sole back to its former appearance, use:

• Toothpaste - this method never fails;
• Baking soda and water paste - dilute the baking soda and water to a pulp;
• Citric acid;
• Special products for the sole - there are examples above.

Hydrogen peroxide is not the most effective way, just like laundry soap, which can also leave yellow stains. As for the soap solution and various shampoos for sneakers - they are suitable for weak dirt, when the dirt has not yet had time to penetrate.

1. Remove external dirt with a dry brush;
2. Wet a napkin and use it to apply baking soda paste to the side, front, and back of your sneakers. Alternatively, use a toothbrush and toothpaste;
3. Wait 5-10 minutes for the product to work and dissolve the dirt;
4. Use a toothbrush or just a soft brush with medium pressure to clean the sole;
5. Remove any remaining baking soda or paste with a damp cloth, and then go over the soles with it again to make sure you don't leave any product particles behind.

White soles can be rubbed more diligently, since it is not painted, but you should not overdo it either - it may leave scratches, which will then be clogged with dirt.

Cleaning shoelaces and insoles

You can wash the laces and insoles only if you take them out of the sneaker - in other cases, hard-to-reach places, such as parts of the laces in the eyelets, will remain dirty.

First, we wash the laces:

1. Soak the laces in a separate container of laundry detergent, soap, or sneaker shampoo. Leave to soak and soak for 10-15 minutes;
2. Soap the laces with soap - regular or laundry soap and carefully rub the parts of the laces against each other;
3. Rinse with plenty of clean water and dry at room temperature.

Heavy soiled shoelaces can be sent to the washing machine after pre-soaking, preferably packed in a laundry bag.

How to clean insoles:

1. Get the insoles out of your sneakers;
2. In a container, dilute the soap solution;
3. Soak the insoles in a container and leave for 5-10 minutes;
4. Using a medium-hard brush and soap solution, begin cleaning the insoles with moderate pressure. Try not to put too much pressure on the brush so as not to damage the integrity of the material;
5. If the soap solution was not enough, soap the brush with laundry soap or squeeze a couple of drops of liquid soap or special shampoo;
6. After the dirt is removed, rinse the insoles with clean running water, use a tightening motion to remove any excess moisture, and leave them to dry at room temperature.

After washing the insole is not recommended to twist and wring, as this can damage the bottom layer and in the sneaker it will be clumpy and creased.

Can I wash my sneakers in the washing machine?

You can, but not all. Automatic washing is acceptable for sneakers with mesh or models with textile uppers. For sneakers made of leather, suede, nubuck and various synthetic smooth materials, use hand washing or cleaning.

If your sneakers fit the washing machine, remember the simple rules of washing:

• Take out the laces and insoles - it is better to clean them by hand. The assembled sneakers take less time to wash;
• Use a delicate mode so as not to damage the fabric and the seams of the product;
• Do not set the temperature above 30 degrees - high temperature has a negative effect on the quality of the fabric, and can also provoke shrinkage sneakers;
• Put your sneakers in a special wash bag - this will protect them from mechanical damage, especially if there are other things or shoes in the drum.

For washing, use the usual powder or gel, or special powders for washing sneakers - the brand Reshoevn8r has one.

How to dry your sneakers

Sneakers, regardless of material, should be dried at room temperature to avoid discoloration, shrinkage, and cracking or shriveling of the product.

How to properly dry sneakers:

1. Hand or machine washed sneakers put them on a horizontal surface;
2. Put a special shoe spacer inside or stuff the shoe with dry paper. This will protect the product from sagging in the toe area and overall change in shape;
3. Be sure to pull the tongue out;
4. Leave it for 2-3 hours, then change the paper to dry and leave the sneakers again until they are completely dry.

Sometimes sneakers need to dry quickly - here to help come to the aid of household smarthacks that will save time and maintain the appearance of the product:

• Devices for drying sneakers. Modern appliance manufacturers offer special appliances that help dry your shoes. They provide warm air that draws out moisture. It takes about 2-3 hours to dry, but it all depends on the power of the device;

• Hair dryer. Set the appliance to medium or low temperature and insert the hair dryer into the cavity of the sneaker. This method is great for mesh and fabric sneakers;
• Vacuuming. Take the brush off the vacuum cleaner, insert the tube inside the sneaker, and turn on the device. After 30 minutes, the sneakers will be dry;
• Rice. An unusual way is to put a sock filled with dry rice inside the sneaker. Not the fastest way, but still faster than classic drying.

Professional Sneaker Cleaning

When there is no time to clean, or in case of serious soiling, your favorite sneakers can be dry-cleaned.

The services offered by dry cleaners vary, but most often professional cleaning includes:

• Initial cleaning of visible dirt;
• Deep cleaning of the sole;
• Cleaning the sneaker tops using professional products;
• Machine cleaning of the top and inside;
• Cleaning shoelaces and insoles;
• Disinfecting;
• Delicate drying;
• Removing lint;
• Finishing and conditioning.

All procedures are performed using special products designed for professional use. Many of them are not even available on the open market - they are supplied only to specialized organizations.

Some dry cleaners also offer:

• Restoring the color of suede and nubuck shoes;
• Dyeing or repainting the skin;
• Redrawing the fabric;
• Bleaching the soles;
• Staining the soles;
• Removing the effects of reagents that are sprinkled on the roads.

Tinting of sneakers

Dyeing sneakers is recommended to trust a professional, but if you can not go to the cleaners or shoe repairman, some shortcomings shoes and can be corrected at home.

For dyeing, a special dye for the type of material is used - there are dyes for leather and for suede. For fabric sneakers both options are suitable. For partial dyeing we recommend using cream paint, for a complete repaint of sneakers are suitable and aerosol formats.

How to tint:

1. Clean your sneakers of any dirt. If necessary, prewash or wash them;
2. Place completely dry sneakers horizontally and provide unobstructed access to the staining area;
3. Use a brush or sponge to start applying the dye. If dyeing suede, use a medium stiff brush to lift the hairs;
4. Wait until the paint is completely dry and treat your shoes with a damp-proofing agent to keep the paint bright for longer.

The same principle is used for a complete repainting, only before applying the dye it is necessary:

1. Remove the shoelaces;
2. Tape the places that don't need to be stained - the sole, for example;
3. Insulate the inside of sneakers - inside shoes paint useless, because the paint there will come off very quickly.

Q&A

How to whiten sneakers?

If we are talking about returning the original look to white sneakers, then use special products for them or improvised means - toothpaste, baking soda. Use aggressive bleaches and crazy mixtures of gasoline and vinegar in this case is not recommended - the fabric will be severely damaged and the life of sneakers will be significantly reduced.

If you want to bleach your sneakers for later painting, try bleach or whitewash, but the outcome is hard to predict. Your best bet is to go to a dry cleaner.

How do I get grass stains out of my sneakers?

Remove fresh grass stains with thrifting detergent or nail polish remover. If that doesn't work, use a special sneaker cleaner designed for stubborn dirt.

How do I wash my suede sneakers?

Suede probably won't tolerate washing in a washing machine, so use either a hand wash or a surface scrubbing with a sponge and brush. In extreme cases, go to a dry cleaner. All experiments at home can cause damage to the suede and cause gaps.

How to air your sneakers from unpleasant odor?

Start by deeply cleaning your shoes, including treating the inside with a soapy solution - you can soak your sneakers in a basin and then rub a little. After your sneakers are completely dry, use shoe deodorant.

The emergency way is to put your sneakers in the freezer for a few hours.

How do I wash leather sneakers in the machine?

Machine washing is not recommended for leather sneakers. If it is important to completely refresh your shoes, including the inside, soak them in a basin for 10-15 minutes, then brush and rinse with clean water. Dry at room temperature with spacers inside. And, of course, you can take a pair to the dry cleaner.

Other questions and answers about sneakers ➜

How do you take care of your sneakers? Share your experiences and tips in the comments.

Sneakers ➜ DRESS Magazine section

Write your opinion