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Theres nothing quite like a fresh pair ofsneakers, right?
Heather Hazzan. Wardrobe styling by Yuiko Ikebata.
But as far as Im concerned, sneakers are an investment worth taking care of.
That goes not just forrunning sneakersor the pair you only wear tofitness classes.
Here, we break down exactly how to clean sneakers depending on what theyre made from.
First, an important note: You should avoid putting your sneakers in the washing machine.
That’s especially an issue when it comes to running shoes.
Some foams are more sensitive than others to water and high temperatures, he says.
The material is prone to absorbing water, which can mess with how the sneakers cushioning works.
Doing so will extend the life of your sneakers, Ornelas says.
Washing machines without agitators are gentler and allow more room for shoes to move freely.
Also, wash the laces separately from the shoes.
Once the cycle is complete, let the shoes air dry, he says.
Never ever put them in the dryer; the high temperatures will break down most materials.
Here’s how to properly spot clean the different materials most sneakers are made of.
Gently scrub for a minute or two, and then wipe clean with a soft wet rag.
Let the shoe air dry.
A brush is the easiest and most effective way to clean running shoes in general, says Ornelas.
Or simply use an old toothbrush or buy a smallvegetable brush on Amazon.
Then gently scrub the area with a brush for a minute or two.
Wipe clean with a soft wet rag to remove any remaining detergent, and let air dry.
If your shoes are white, it’s possible for you to even try using aMr.
Clean Magic Erasera cleaning pad made out of melamine foamon any hard parts of the shoe, he adds.
The product is gentle yet effective for removing stains.
To be safe, only use this product on white shoes to avoid rubbing off any color.
Knit
Be as gentle as possible with knit shoes, says Ornelas.
Knits are soft and pliable, which makes them more fragile than the other fabrics, he explains.
Avoid brushing, which can be a little too rough for knit.
For knit running shoes, we recommend using a soft cloth.
Instead, use a bar of mild bath soap.
Soak a cloth in cold water and gently rub on the soap, he says.
Once the stains have lifted, wipe off any remaining soap with a wet towel and let air dry.
Canvas sneakers are durable, but they get dirty easily, says Ornelas.
Dip the toothbrush into the mixture and scrub the canvas until its clean.
Once the cycle is complete, let the shoes air dry.
And don’t forget, the insides need to be cleaned sometimes too.
Ornelas recommends warm water and mild laundry detergent to clean the insides of sneakers.
Soak a brush in the solution and scrub until clean.
Then, wipe down gently with a wet rag and let the shoe air dry.
