Sneakers Cleaning: The best way

Now that a large part of the world's population is forced to work from home to fight the coronavirus pandemic, people are finding it difficult to cope with the sudden restrictions imposed on them. What at first seemed like a fantasy - working from home and never having to get out of bed - has quickly become a struggle. If you're like us and have trouble keeping yourself busy, you might want to try cleaning your sneakers.

 All sneakerheads who are stuck at home because the school, university or office is closed, now have more than enough time to finally clean their entire sneaker collection. Whether that means reviving your old knockers or giving your more worn sneakers a quick shine, we'll tell you exactly how to clean your sneakers. 

Cleaning your sneakers seems simple, until you really have to do it. There are actually a lot of factors to consider, such as what material your sneakers are made of, what kind of cleaning products to use and how to use them. To help you figure out how to clean your sneakers properly, we've put together a quick and painless manual and video that will make your sneakers look fresh again in no time.

Although certain fabrics, such as suede or mesh, often require special treatment, this is our general guide to cleaning more versatile materials such as leather or canvas. Take a look at the steps below and watch the full video on how to clean your sneakers at the bottom of the page.

 

What you need to clean your sneakers:

  • A towel (included)
  • Sneaker+ Repair Brush (included)
  • Sneaker Repair Premium Foam
  • A microfiber cloth (included)
  • A toothbrush for hard to reach places
  • Your dirty sneakers
  • An apron or old clothes of which you don't mind getting dirty

 

Step 1: Preparation

First of all, set up your station so that everything you need is within easy reach. Chefs call this 'mise en place'. Make sure you remove the laces from your sneakers.

Step 2: Remove dirt

Remove excess dirt from your sneakers by knocking the soles of your shoes together and rubbing away any remaining dirt with the brush or a damp towel. This will already improve most wear marks on the surface.

Step 3: Sneaker + Repair Foam

Apply the Foam+ contained in the cleaning kit to the surface and scrub gently with the brush provided. 

Step 4: Thorough cleaning

If your shoes need extra attention, make them thoroughly with Sneaker+ Repair. You can do this each time by applying Foam+ to a surface and gently scrubbing back and forth with the brush. When the product stops foaming you can wipe it off and reapply. Repeat if necessary.

 

Step 5: Rinse and repeat

Use a microfibre cloth to remove excess soap and soapsuds and then inspect your work. Repeat step four if you feel your sneaker needs more attention. You can also use a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas.

Step 6: Insoles

Clean your midsoles like you cleaned the top, with your brush and Sneaker+ Repair Foam+.

Step 7: Laces

You can clean your laces in the washing machine or by scrubbing them with a toothbrush and Sneaker+ Repair. However, our tip is to use a new pair of laces, which can be bought online or at different sneaker shops. It's a cheap and much easier way to make your shoes look fresh again.

Step 8: Drying at night

When you're done cleaning your sneakers, let them dry overnight.