56% of sneakerheads say that they will miss out on their daily responsibilities to purchase new sneakers.
Although you may not be that passionate about your sneakers, you still want to care for the ones you have and make sure they always look fresh.
While it may seem like a great idea to just throw your sneakers into the washing machine, it can actually damage them to the point of no return. Luckily, washing your sneakers (inside and out) is actually not that hard.
Keep reading below to learn how you can get clean sneakers at home.
Start With Your Insoles
This is a commonly skipped step, so that’s why we’ve decided to put it first. Don’t just leave your insoles inside the shoe and clean the outside.
You should always take out your insoles and wash them whenever you’re washing the rest of your shoes to prevent stinky feet or fungus. When you’re done with the wash, be sure that they are completely dry before you put them back into the shoe.
Pay attention to what your insoles are made from as well. Usually, you can just use plain soap and water to clean them with a small scrubbing brush or a sponge. Always rinse away all of the soap before leaving them up to dry.
Don’t Forget the Laces on Clean Sneakers
If your sneakers are dirty, chances are high that your shoelaces are also pretty dirty. You can either wash your laces by hand or in a washing machine.
To start, you should remove the laces from your sneakers. Get rid of any stuck-on debris or grime by running them under water or scrubbing at them with a soft toothbrush. Then, if you notice some really bad stains, use a stain spot treatment and follow the directions on the packaging.
It’s a good idea to put your laces into a mesh bag, such as those used for lingerie or other delicate, so that they don’t get tangled. Otherwise, they may not get as clean as they should.
You can either pop this mesh bag with your laces into the washing machine or submerge it in water in a bucket for at least 20 minutes.
Gently Clean the Upper Section
If you’re looking for tips on how to remove stains from your sneakers, you’ve likely found stains on this part of the sneaker. This is the part of the shoe that is generally made from fabric or a more breathable material than the rest of the sneaker.
Not only will you want to be careful with this section because you don’t want to mess up the fibers, but you also want to make sure that you’re using the right chemicals (or no chemicals at all).
If you have mesh or canvas sneakers, you can mix together some baking soda and water to make a cleaning paste that you’ll apply with a gentle brush. If you have synthetic leather, however, you’ll need to soak a towel with water and gentle laundry detergent to wipe down the shoes.
No matter what, never scrub too fiercely on the shoe. It can end up doing damage that will cause the clean sneakers to wear faster than they normally would.
Scrub the Outsoles
Your outsoles are much more durable than the other parts of the shoe (as you might imagine), so don’t be afraid to use a little elbow grease here. You can use a scrub brush or a toothbrush to really get into the nooks and crannies of the shoe with soap and water.
Are your outsoles white and soap with water isn’t cutting it? If that’s the case, you can try to use some hydrogen peroxide.
Put water into a bowl with a little bit of peroxide, and dip your sneakers into the mixture for around 30 minutes. Afterward, you’ll want to rinse your outsoles with clean water to remove any trace of the hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide isn’t as strong as regular bleach, but it can still potentially stain other parts of the shoe. For this reason, always exercise caution when using this on your shoes unless they are completely white.
Know How to Keep Your Sneakers Clean
Some basic sneaker care tips that will help you with keeping your shoes in top-notch condition include avoiding bad weather, washing your shoes when you notice dirt, and making sure to store your shoes properly.
These may seem pretty simple, but if you’re new to the shoe game (if you need some tips, check it out here) or you want to care for a new pair you just got, it’s better to start doing these things at the beginning of your shoe’s lifespan.
Most sneakers are not designed to be worn in inclement weather, so don’t wear your new sneakers out when it’s raining or muddy outside. This will help you avoid unnecessary stains and buildup that create the dirty shoe in the first place.
As soon as you do notice some dirt, go ahead and wash that part of the shoe right away. You don’t need to wash each part of the shoe every time you see some grime, but by being more proactive with the dirt, your shoes will look better and you’ll feel more confident in their appearance.
Lastly, store your shoes so that they are safe and out of the way. You can choose to keep them in their original boxes or get plastic boxes to showcase them to the world.
Care for Your Sneakers Today
With your clean sneakers in tow, you’re ready to conquer the world. Get ready to show off your kicks to all of your friends and rest assured that they will last for years with the proper care.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, be sure to take a look at more beneficial tips in the rest of our blog next.
