Maggie Evans 
There are so many reasons why people love sneakers. They serve plenty of purposes and can be worn for fashion, health, or comfort. Although some people like their sneakers to have that worn look, there are also many who’d like to maintain their sneakers’ smooth look. If you’d like to keep your sneakers looking and smelling clean, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Machine Wash Your Sneakers
Yes, you read it right! Many sneakers can be tossed in the washing machine, and these include those made of canvas or synthetic fabrics. However, never machine wash sneakers made from suede and leather. Although this manner of washing your sneakers is pretty straightforward, there are a few things you need to do to ensure that your shoes come out undamaged and clean. Before dipping your sneakers into your washing machine, check out the following tips:
- Remove the laces: This step will ensure that the dirt that has accumulated around the eyelets of the shoes will be removed during washing. Otherwise, the laces will get in the way and will leave these areas dirty. Speaking of laces, make sure to always seek the help of a lace sizing guide from a reliable source to help you maximize your sneakers.
- Place laces in a mesh washing bag: Wash the laces together with the sneakers.
- Pretreat soiled sneakers: Mud and dirt on your sneakers must be treated first before washing your sneakers. Use a reliable stain remover appropriate for the fabric.
- Avoid using too much detergent: When machine washing your sneakers, ensure that you use cold water and use only enough detergent. Resist the temptation of using extra detergent to avoid detergent residue, which may give your sneakers a dirty look.
- Air-dry your shoes: After machine washing your sneakers, flip the tongue out to allow air to better circulate inside the shoes. Then, insert a balled-up washcloth into the toe box to help absorb moisture.
Hand Wash Your Sneakers
Make your sneakers look squeaky clean by hand washing if machine washing isn’t an option.
Spot-Treat Your Sneakers
When your sneakers are made of materials that can’t handle machine-washing, here is where detailing and spot treating will be needed.
There are many types of specialty cleaners in the market. However, if you don’t have one, you can turn to an all-purpose cleaner or even your regular dish soap. But, you need to find a cleaning product that’s bleach-free to prevent color loss.
In cleaning leather parts of your sneakers, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a small washcloth. Remove the shoelaces first, then, brush away to eliminate dirt and soiling on the outer part of the shoes. You can also use a magic eraser to remove stains on dirty running shoes. Wet a small portion of the sneakers with magic eraser and rub it with a rag or toothbrush.
If you’re cleaning knit or suede sneakers, you should avoid using magic eraser and toothbrushes. Suede material is best dry-cleaned. You may use a specific suede brush to buff dirt and dust it off. There’s also an eraser created for this kind of material, which is used dry in eliminating stains. Knit sneakers also require gentle handling as the strands can be easily stretched out. Never use brushes to clean knit sneakers.
Use Protective Sprays
You often hear the phrase that prevention is better than cure, and this is also true for sneakers. It’s better to protect your sneakers from too much dirt or grease, and you can do this by using a protective spray. If you have suede sneakers, you need this protective spray more. Canvas may also benefit from such protective coating.
When using this type of spray, ensure that you follow manufacturer application instructions. It’s also a great idea to reapply a protective coating to your sneakers every six months.
Store Your Kicks Properly
When not being used, your sneakers could do very well if you store them appropriately. While it’s simpler to toss your sneakers onto your pile of shoes, this habit can easily distort their shape and expose them to more dirt. As a result, your sneakers will have a shorter lifespan than when you store them properly.
You can store your sneakers in their original box, or if this isn’t available anymore, you can place them in a clear box. If you have a shoe rack, this is also a great place to store your sneakers to prevent them from being misshapen.
Final Thoughts
Caring for your sneakers is essential if you want to make the most out of your pair. Being consistent with your sneaker care habits will ensure that they’ll last longer with you. With the help of a few products, you’re on your way to having clean and slick-looking sneakers.
