Last Updated on August 1, 2020 by
For obvious reasons, it’s hard to keep your sneakers clean. But what’s worse is when you let them get so dirty that you don’t recognize them anymore! This also makes cleaning much harder because the dirt and stains have had a chance to penetrate into the material. Now, the question on everyone’s mind is ‘how do I get my dirty, smelly kicks to be squeaky clean and fresh again?’ Read on to find out!
Firstly, gather up the following things before you start:
-Shoe Brush with Soft Bristles
-Dish Soap/Laundry Detergent
-Paper Towels
-Baking Soda
And now, here’s the step-by-step guide to cleaning your sneakers.
Step One: Take out the laces and soles/inserts (if removable). Your laces can be cleaned in the washer or by hand; simply soak them in a sudsy solution of water and detergent for about half an hour before using an old toothbrush to clean them on both sides. The soles/inserts can be cleaned by hand using the same method. Leave them to air dry while you move on to the next step.
Step Two: Rinse out each shoe thoroughly to get off any loose mud or dirt (especially from the bottoms). If you skip this step, you risk spreading dirt and stains while actually trying to get them out!
Step Three: The cleaner you use must be recommended for the material of your sneakers. Either way, the method is more or less the same; make a solution of your chosen cleanser and use a soft-bristled brush to clean. Simply dip the brush in this sudsy solution and brush your sneakers at all angles. You’ll find that the brush is quickly turning brown and so is your cleaner so be sure to make a fresh solution as and when needed. Also, rinse out the brush out at intervals so that you aren’t transferring any dirt back on to your shoe.
Step Four: Rinse out the sneakers thoroughly to remove the soapiness and check for any stains. If you do find a stubborn stain or two, cover it with detergent powder or liquid dish soap and allow it to penetrate into the material for about 15-20 minutes. Next, take an old toothbrush, pour a few drops of warm-hot water onto the area and brush the stain away in circular motions. Rinse the shoe out again and your sneakers will be stain-free again!
Step Five: To dry your sneakers, stuff them with newspaper towels so that they don’t go out of shape or cave in. You may have to replace the paper towels twice or thrice but the good news is that they help the shoes dry up faster by absorbing moisture. Place your sneaker on the window sill, balcony or any airy place but avoid leaving them to dry in direct sun as the color may fade.
Step Six: Once they have dried up completely, put the inserts and laces back in and finish off by sprinkling a little baking soda into each shoe. This helps to absorb odors and keep your sneakers fresh for a while.
