Only a few other things can match the joy of buying new branded sneakers. They not only offer excellent comfort, supreme style, and great protection from the elements but also can be customized to fit each person’s foot perfectly. However, muddy roads, rain, or spilling food on your new shoes can spoil the look of your beloved kicks and affect your style statement.
How To Take Care of New Sneakers?
If you wish your shoes to serve you well, you need to care for them. While cleaning dirty sneakers might require more effort and time, taking care of and maintaining the fresh and new look of your shoes is comparatively easier. In this section, we discuss the ways to keep your shoes looking fresh and clean.
- Check your sneakers for any stains, wrinkles, dust or debris every time you take them off. If you find any, try to clean them immediately with a damp cloth or soap and water. Fresh stains are easier to deal with than old and stubborn ones.
- Stuff your shoes with newspapers every time after use to retain the shape and prevent creases. Additionally, newspapers absorb moisture well, so if you had a sweaty day or got caught in the rain, scrunched-up newspapers wick away the moisture and even take away any foul odor.
- Whenever you buy a new pair of shoes, make sure to coat them with shoe protector sprays. While not all types of sneakers may require protective coatings, materials like leather and suede last longer because of the protective layer.
- Add dryer sheets to the shoe boxes to keep them fresh and reduce the bad smell in the shoes.
- Remember that if you wear your shoes more than three days in a row, they might not get the time to dry, and hence they become more prone to wear and tear.
Standard Tips To Clean Any Type of Sneakers
No matter how appealing it may sound, never put your sneakers in the washing machine. It may damage or weaken the fabric and even undo stitches. Mentioned below are three easy and basic steps with which you can spruce up your shoes before deep cleaning them.
- Remove visible dirt: Use a damp cloth, a brush or your hand to wipe away any visible dirt, dust or debris.
- Rinse the soles: You can use a damp cloth to clean them thoroughly or rinse them under running water.
- Significant stains: Target the big and stubborn stains. Try blotting them with soap and cleaning them using a soft bristle brush.
How to Clean Different Types of Sneakers?
While it is important to consistently clean the sneakers and store them properly after every use, different materials, such as knit, leather, suede, canvas, etc., require specific cleaning. In this section, we mention the ways to clean each type.
Cleaning Knit Sneakers
Knit sneakers are loved for their cool and trendy looks and breathable materials. However, as they are porous, dirt, mud, sweat and grime are sure to find their way into the grooves making the shoes look dirty. Therefore, cleaning them might require some patience. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill a medium-sized tub with warm water and add a detergent and a shoe cleaner to it.
- Dip a clean cloth in the solution and use it to dampen the shoe’s surface, and scrub gently with a soft toothbrush to lift the stains and dirt.
- Once done, wet another cloth with clean water and use it to wipe away any excess dirt or shoe cleaner.
- Leave the shoes to dry.
Cleaning Leather Sneakers
Leather or faux leather shoes give a dapper look but are more susceptible to abrasions and stains. The best way to clean leather shoes is by spot-cleaning them.
Below is the procedure to do it.
- Prepare a solution with dishwashing liquid and warm water.
- Dip a cloth in this solution and rub the stains on the shoe until they fully vanish.
- You can also apply a leather conditioner on stubborn marks or stains to even the tone.
Cleaning Suede Sneakers
Just like knit sneakers, the suede fabric gives a stylish appearance with its velvety smooth outer layer, but it also stains easily. Here is how you can clean suede shoes.
- Buy a suede brush, which works wonders in removing the dirt from the fibers.
- Make sure you do not scrub with too much force or pressure.
- You can also use a magic eraser, wet it with water and work on the stain until it disappears. White vinegar makes a great option too. However, ensure you only target the stained area and not the entire surface.
- Wipe any remaining loose dirt with a damp cloth and leave the shoes to dry.
Cleaning Canvas Sneakers
Of all the materials mentioned above, canvas fabric is perhaps the easiest to clean. You can use the washing machine to clean your canvas shoes but make sure you put them in a pillowcase and set the machine on a gentle wash. However, the best way to clean canvas shoes is through the following steps.
- Fill a medium-sized tub with warm water and add a detergent and a shoe cleaner to it.
- Use a clean cloth or towel to transfer the solution to the surface of the shoes.
- Scrub with a toothbrush with soft bristles and leave the shoes to dry.
Cleaning Different Parts of a Sneaker
In this section, we detail how to clean specific parts of the shoe, such as the outsole, midsole and tongue, without causing any damage to the sneakers.
The outsole
The bottom of the sneaker is where most of the dirt and grime reside. Use a brush to clean the sneaker’s sole. Once it looks clean, use the solution mentioned earlier and wipe it with a clean cloth.
The Midsole
A yellowish or dirty midsole can spoil the entire look of your sneakers. Therefore, use a magic eraser to scrub this shoe part until it looks spotless.
The Tongue
Cleaning the tongue of the sneakers improves the overall appearance. Use a soft-bristled brush on a suede sneaker’s tongue and soapy water on the tongue of a canvas shoe to scrub them clean.
The Interior
The main concern with the interior would be any foul odors. You can use a water and white vinegar solution to clean the interior after removing the insole. Pat away moisture using a towel and leave it to air dry before putting the insole back.
The Laces
Soak the laces in a solution of warm water and detergent for a few minutes before washing them. You can also invest in different colors of laces to give a new look to your shoes.
Conclusion
When you invest a lot of thought, time and money to buy the best sneakers for men online, you should also make efforts to maintain their style and looks. Periodic cleaning sessions with your sneakers not only help them last longer but also keep them looking and smelling clean and fresh. Use the easy and practical tips mentioned above to build a special bond with your footwear and tread in style.
