On the pages of our blog, we have already touched on several important topics related to shoe care. Now, delving into the details, we would like to tell you about how to properly clean suede shoes, what rules need to be followed during such cleaning and, of course, what cleaning products can be used for this. Here we go...
The first thing to say is this: before you put on your brand new suede sneakers or any other suede shoes to school, university or work, do not forget to treat them with a special protective agent, for example, Jason Markk Repel or Crep Protect liquid. Such impregnations (mostly sprays) need to be applied in several layers: apply your product from a distance of 30 cm, then let the shoes dry and repeat the procedure (minimum 1, maximum up to three times).
Why is such impregnation needed? It's very simple: impregnation will protect the original appearance of your suede shoes. Thanks to it, your shoes will get less wet and dirty. In addition to this, it will be much easier to clean dirt from your shoes in the future.
Now let's talk directly about cleaning, because regardless of whether your suede sneakers have been treated with protective agents or not, you will have to clean them. We will tell you how to do this later.
Basic rules for cleaning suede shoes
#1 rule of wet cleaning
Cleaning wet suede shoes is strictly not recommended, however, this does not mean that you cannot clean suede shoes using moisture. Here's an example of cleaning suede sneakers using Jason Markk Premium Shoe Solution and Jason Markk Premium Brush:
Why can't you clean wet suede shoes?
Because the dirt will be absorbed into the suede even more, and then it will be much more difficult to remove it. If your shoes are damp or completely wet, you must first dry them and then start cleaning them.
To ensure that shoes retain their shape after drying, use wooden rules (lasts) or stuff crumpled sheets of newspaper into still wet shoes so that the toe of the shoe is straight. Suede shoes, like any other shoes, should be dried at room temperature; do not use any radiators or heaters!
#2 rule of dry cleaning
Dry Suede shoes can be cleaned using special brushes and rubber bands. This is perhaps the most gentle method for such material. Using a shaking motion, gently remove dirt from the surface of the shoe.
For these purposes, you can use brushes from the sets:
- Jason Markk Premium Brush
Or any other soft bristle brush. It is important not to “drive” dust and dirt into the material, but to comb them out. Just be careful when choosing brushes from other sets, as even a toothbrush can damage the delicate material of your shoes.
Rubber bands for cleaning suede shoes have proven themselves just as well. The choice can be professional options, as in the Suede Cleaning Kit, or improvised ones, for example, a regular white office eraser.
#3 rule - cleaning salt stains
Sometimes salt stains may appear on suede shoes. This problem is especially relevant in the winter season. A cloth soaked in warm milk or a solution of water and vinegar in a concentration of 1:1 will help you cope with such stains (for example, a teaspoon of water + a teaspoon of vinegar, then mix and get the desired solution).
Use a cotton swab to apply the solution to the problem areas of your suede shoes, and then try to remove it from the shoes by dampening the cloth in running water.
#4 rule - cleaning greasy stains
Grease stains on suede shoes are a serious problem. To deal with such contamination, you will first need to “pull out” the fat from the fabric, and only then start cleaning. To “pull out” fat, you can use, for example, talcum powder (which is used in baby powder).
The method of use is quite simple: talc is poured onto the contaminated area, and after 3-8 hours it is removed using a suede brush (rule #2 of our instructions). For brown shoes, you can use instant coffee.
Conclusion...
As is the case with any other delicate material (unless, of course, it is genuine leather), suede shoes quickly become dirty and are not at all easy to clean, which is why many people find them impractical and short-lived. Or maybe people just don’t know the rules for caring for it? I don’t know, but I think that after this article, some of you will again look at suede shoes as a worthy candidate for purchase.
You can leave your questions, comments and additions to the article in the comments. We will be happy to read them and, if possible, add to our small Guide to cleaning suede shoes.
Sneakers are not only sports shoes, but also everyday shoes. We wear it both in the city and outdoors. It is not surprising that over time, dirt and stains, “abrasions” from heel strikes, and traces of grass, clay and gravel appear on sneakers. Dirty shoes look unsightly and sloppy. This is especially true for white sneakers, on which dirt is especially noticeable. In addition, you want your shoes to be not only clean, but also fresh. And with regular and intense sports, for example, in a fitness club, the smell of sweat inevitably appears in your sneakers. The question arises, is it possible to wash sneakers in a washing machine? Is it possible to wash them in principle? And if so, how to do this so as not to spoil the consumer qualities of the shoes?
Clothing labels, as a rule, indicate recommended washing and ironing modes (or, in extreme cases, a ban on these actions). But there are no such instructions for shoes. It is a common belief that caring for sneakers is quite difficult. When asked how to wash sneakers, you can hear a categorical answer - only by hand and in cold water. But when there is a washing machine in the house, it is difficult to overcome the temptation to take advantage of the fruits of progress.
So can you wash your sneakers in the washing machine? Let's try to understand this issue. In our article we will give general recommendations on how to wash adidas sneakers.
Sneakers can be made from genuine leather, suede, leatherette and fabric, as well as a combination of materials (for example, fabric sneakers with suede inserts). There is a prejudice that as a result of washing, the leather, under the influence of temperature and cleaning powder, shrinks and loses its properties of rigidity and elasticity. In reality, this is not entirely true. Many washing machines, for example from Indesit, even have a special “sports shoe washing” mode, which perfectly washes leather sneakers. Among other things, Indesit washing machines provide for fastening sneakers to the walls of the drum, which eliminates their collision and wear during the washing process.
Long, high-temperature machine washes can actually curl and shrink your adidas sneakers to the point where you can no longer wear them. If your machine does not have a special mode, choose the gentle wash mode for delicate materials - wool, silk. The temperature should not be higher than 40°. Turn off the spin function or set it to the minimum level, and at the end of the program, finish drying it on the window (but not on the radiator, this may cause the sneakers to become deformed).
Before loading your sneakers into the washing machine, thoroughly clean the soles of your shoes - for example, with an old toothbrush under high pressure. Make sure that the tread is free of dirt and sand, clay, gravel, stones and glass. You can use an old pillowcase as an impromptu bag for washing sneakers. The spikes must be washed in a bag, and the spikes themselves should be unscrewed before washing. The laces must either be unlaced and washed separately, or tied. If the insoles come out easily, they need to be removed. If not, leave the sneakers inside.
To remove stubborn dirt, sneakers can be pre-lubricated with washing gel. Before starting the program, make sure that the spin and dry functions are turned off.
Larisa Balakireva
Today, in the half-forgotten “Advice” section, we will tell you how to properly clean your sneakers. Recommendations for resuscitation of one pair of Asics and Adidas were given to us by Maxim Aske.
How to clean sneakers
Maxim Aske
Brandshop store employee
Everyone loves sneakers. After all, it’s great to walk in sunny weather in excellent and, most importantly, clean sneakers. But Moscow, with its weather conditions, signature cocktail of reagents and culture of behavior in public transport, makes its own adjustments. Sometimes it seems that clean, beautiful shoes evoke in fellow citizens a feeling of unconscious hatred and a desire for destruction, leading to a desire to immediately “accidentally” step on something. Until recently, it was extremely difficult to return a beloved couple to their original appearance.
sneakers:
ASICS GEL-LYTE III BLACK/TAN- dust, dirt, reagent, whitewash, chalk. Old stains + man-made.
adidas Originals Consortium Flavors Of The World Micropacer Omisoka- blood, dirt, paint, dust, absorbed alcohol stains. Repeated attempts to clean the sneakers did not bring much success. Were taken at your own peril and risk.
Means of struggle:
Jason Markk 4 Oz Shoe Care Kit. Premium Kit
Jason Markk Premium Microfiber Towel
Jason Markk Quick Wipes Shoe Cleaning Cloth Set
Jason Markk Premium Shoe Cleaning Brush
Jason Markk Standard Shoe Cleaning Brush
ASICS GEL-LYTE III BLACK/TAN
The preparation work for cleaning is quite simple. All we need in addition to the above mentioned products is a container of clean water at room temperature and a clean cloth or napkins. I replaced the latter with a microfiber cloth, since, in my opinion, it is better suited for this process.
The first ones we worked on were Asics sneakers, which, in addition to traces of salt, dirt and reagents, received a portion of whitewash and construction dust, which in fact can be considered fatal for black suede, since chalky substances are poorly removed.
Depending on the material of the sneaker, we select a cleaning brush. There is a standard one with artificial bristles and a premium one with natural bristles. If the sneakers are not made from a finely woven nylon mesh, like, say, Adidas Flux, then a standard one will suffice.
Wet the brush with water and apply a little product, then dip the brush in water again and shake off the excess. Next, we take the sneaker and with quick movements with a short amplitude, pressing the brush to the sneakers, we begin to rub until a fluffy foam forms. Remove the foam itself with a clean cloth. And so on across the entire surface of the sneakers. We clean the sole using the same method. Contamination is eliminated almost instantly. The product itself is 98.3% natural and biodegradable, and the creators promise that even a small bottle of the basic consumption will be enough to clean about 100 pairs of sneakers.
After cleaning the sneakers, let them dry and repeat the procedure if necessary. Although in my experience this has not yet occurred even with the dirtiest couples.
ADIDAS ORIGINALS CONSORTIUM FLAVOURS OF THE WORLD MICROPACER OMISOKA
The second pair is made of light leather and was stained with a bunch of substances that were impossible to remove, including fuel oil, tar, paint, blood, absorbed spilled alcohol and some kind of dirt. We can also add to this that they remained in this state for a couple of years after an unsuccessful attempt to clean them. The mechanics of the movements are the same, but the result is obvious.
You can purchase Jason Markk at Brandshop. If you have difficulty purchasing a specialized product, like Jason Markk, then there are two alternatives.
Light version. Any Kiwi or Salamander cleaning products. Sold almost everywhere. Cleaning instructions are on the back of the product packaging. I would like to note that although such products are suitable for sneakers, they are intended for classic shoes with stronger coloring, so I recommend reducing the recommended amount of use of the products by a third.
Hardcore version. Anyone who served in the army is familiar with this method firsthand. There, they wash everything in this way, from strategic equipment to glasses. To do this, you need a bucket of warm water, a stick, a vegetable grater and a bar of soap (for authenticity, you can get the army “Elephant’s Baby”, or as it is also called, “Major’s”). The soap is rubbed on a fine grater and stirred in a bucket until fluffy foam appears. If you are absent, you can say to yourself: “Warrior, this is a mistake” - and start again. Having received the foam, we collect it on the brush and clean the shoes, wiping them with a dry, clean cloth or napkin.
Sneakers are unique shoes that almost every person anywhere on our planet has. And this is not surprising, in good sneakers you can run, travel endlessly, dance “as if no one is watching you,” go to your favorite (and not so favorite) job, school, and also happily chase after your own children. Sneakers allow everyone to lead an active lifestyle. However, any item of clothing requires some kind of care and sneakers are no exception. All sneaker owners have dozens of different questions on this topic. Among which the main ones are the following:
- how to care for sneakers;
- how to care for suede sneakers;
- how to care for white sneakers;
- how to clean sneakers with mesh;
- how to care for leather sneakers;
- how to dry sneakers after rain or training;
- how to wash sneakers by hand;
- how to wash sneakers in a washing machine and others.
In this article we will look at 10 universal rules for caring for sneakers that will help everyone who wants to extend the life of their favorite pair of sports shoes.
- When buying sneakers, buy a good solution for dirt and moisture. Today, the market offers a large number of special products for shoes - for different types of material, universal, in different price categories. Treat new sneakers with this product several times, allow them to completely absorb the protective agent, and only then go outside in your new sneakers. Then repeat this procedure as necessary. This simple action will protect your feet from possible getting wet in bad weather, and your sneakers from excessive contamination and will extend their service life.
- It is necessary to regularly clean dirt from sneakers. Make it a rule, every time after a walk or jog, to put your shoes in order - where possible, wipe your sneakers with a wet rag, but if they are very dirty, rinse them under running water.
- Attention to the sole. An old toothbrush + soap or soda solution will help restore the bright, shining appearance of the white soles of your sneakers. If the sole is very dirty, you can rub it with soda and leave it for a while, then rinse off the soda and apply a soap solution.
- Dry your sneakers properly. Drying sports shoes near heat sources is considered unacceptable. This can cause sneakers to become deformed, lose their shape, or even stop fitting your feet completely. It is best to dry sneakers in a natural environment by first placing crumpled paper (preferably parchment paper), an old sock with rice, or a bag of soda in them. Soda, in addition to absorbing moisture, disinfects shoes, so this procedure should be carried out regularly, even if the sneakers were not soaking wet.
- Machine washable features. If you are a fan of always washing everything in a washing machine, remember that sneakers must be washed in a special bag, after removing the insoles and laces. Be sure to use delicate mode and low temperature. Some washing machine models also have a mode for washing sports shoes. Before the first machine wash, be sure to look at the tags, labels and box of the sneakers - if machine washing is allowed, the manufacturer must indicate this, as well as the features of machine washing specifically for your model of sneakers. In any case, you can only try to machine wash sneakers made of synthetic materials. It's better to wash by hand.
- Maintain personal hygiene when wearing sneakers. Wear your socks! Always, in any model of sports shoes, with any outfit. Remember that no matter how light your sneakers are, there is always a risk of sweating, which in turn can lead to calluses on the heels, as well as deterioration of the condition of the sneakers themselves - the unpleasant odor will be strongly absorbed into the mesh surface of the sneakers and it will be almost impossible to remove it. Fortunately, today’s selection of socks will allow everyone to choose the right style, height and color of this essential wardrobe item.
- Using shoe deodorants. If it does happen that your sneakers become saturated with unpleasant odors, you can treat them with special antibacterial deodorants and ventilate them in the fresh air. In addition, such products can be used periodically for prevention, especially if you use running shoes. Find out in the article at the link.
- Careful storage and transportation- the key to the longevity of each pair of sneakers. It is best to store sneakers in factory boxes, stuffing them with paper or placing special factory cardboard inserts. This will protect the sneakers from deformation. Be sure to place sneakers in boxes for storage only in a clean and dry state. When transporting sneakers, it is convenient and “economical” to use socks as padding to prevent deformation.
- Proper care of the upper material of sneakers. Each sports shoe material requires special care. So, to care for leather sneakers, you can use regular shoe polish of the appropriate color. Suede sneakers are best cleaned from dust with a special brush. Stains on suede can be removed with a special eraser. As a cleaning agent, you can use special suede sprays or foam cleaners.
- require special care. Classic white sneakers are unique and easy to look stylish, sporty and elegant at the same time. However, caring for these sneakers is a little more difficult than taking care of sneakers in other colors. White sneakers should not be left dirty, and after coming home you should always wipe them with a damp cloth or rinse them under running water. In addition, from time to time it is necessary to perform a “general” wash. Before doing this, you need to remove the laces and insoles and wash them separately. The best way to wash white sneakers is with soda, whitening toothpaste or tooth powder, as well as with a regular soap solution (to prepare the solution, it is better to choose soap with a whitening effect). Sometimes it is enough to rub the sneakers with the selected product with a special brush or sponge and leave them in this state for several minutes. You can and should repeat this procedure as many times as necessary.
Online store of high-quality sports shoes TEMPOSHOP offers all visitors the best models of sneakers for men and women from global manufacturers. Choose the model you need and be sure of the quality of each pair! And our 10 universal rules will certainly help you maintain the appearance of your sneakers;)
