Many people struggle with cleaning their tennis shoes, but it’s actually really easy! Click here to learn how to clean sneakers of dirt and grime.
Americans spend almost $86 billion on shoes each year. That’s almost $262 spent on footwear per person per year.
If you consider yourself a sneakerhead, chances are you have a hefty shoe collection. Even if you don’t have many shoes, it’s important to know how to wash tennis shoes that you do have to keep them looking clean and fresh.
Cleaning shoes can be difficult when you consider the different types of sensitive materials they are made from. If you want to know how to clean sneakers the right way, look no further.
Keep reading for the 5 best sneaker cleaning tips to keep all of your kicks looking brand-new.
How to Clean Sneakers: Brush it Off
No one buys a fresh pair of Jordan 7s without wanting to show them off. You can’t parade them around if they’re covered in dirt and grime.
The first tip on how to clean tennis shoes is to knock off all the excess dirt. First, knock the soles of your shoes together over a towel to make sure all the loose dirt and mud falls off.
Once that dirt is gone, it’s time to brush it off. You can use a dry shoe brush, or if you don’t have one, a toothbrush will work just fine.
Clean the Laces
The next step is to remove your shoelaces. Once they’re off, you want to make a mild cleaning solution using lukewarm water and laundry detergent.
To clean your laces, massage the cleaning solution into them until the dirt and grime are gone. Once they look clean, rinse them off with just water.
You can dry your laces using a dry washcloth or hand towel. Set them aside for now and continue with the next step on this list.
Cleanse your Soles
When learning how to clean gym shoes, you may forget about the soles. I mean, they’re on the bottom, who’s going to see them anyway?
The fact is if you’re already cleaning your shoes you might as well wash every inch. Dip your shoe brush (or toothbrush) into your cleaning solution and get scrubbing.
Make sure you clean the outsole on the very bottom and the midsole (the part of the sole you can see) using this method. Once the dirt is gone, you’re ready for the next step.
Washing and Blotting
Now it’s time to learn how to wash sneakers themselves. For this, you’ll need your cleaning solution and two soft cloths.
Dip one cloth into the solution and scrub away at any dirty spots. Next, you’ll need a dry cloth to dab at the wet spots, effectively lifting any excess dirt.
Repeat this as many times as you need to get your sneakers clean, and you’ll be ready for the last step.
Dry and Lace-Up
Once your shoes look clean, you need to set them aside and let them air-dry. Don’t try to speed up the process with cool or warm air, room temperature is the best for drying your shoes.
Once the shoes and shoelaces are dry, you can re-lace your shoes. Now your kicks look like they just came out of the box.
Final Thoughts
Now you should know how to clean sneakers the right way. You’ll always look like you’ve just bought a new pair.
Check out our blog for other great fashion tips and lifestyle advice. And, as always, stay as fresh as your newly-cleaned kicks!
