Cleaning Your Sneakers

Cleaning Your Sneakers

Getting your sneakers squeaky clean can be a challenge since cleaning your sneakers is not really the top of anyones to do list.  However, the state of your footwear says a lot about you so cleaning your sneakers should be an important part of your personal hygiene and appearance routine.

Smellimination

how to clean your sneakers, how to clean sneakers
Cleaning Your Sneakers

Sometimes you just need to take a break from wearing your cherished pair of sneakers and let air carry the smell out. If odors become extreme, here’s what you can try:

  • Remove the insoles of your shoes and shut them in a box containing baking soda. The strength of the odor determines how long the insoles need to be kept in there, but keep in mind that the longer they stay in there, the less odor they will have when you remove them. Set a time period yourself.
  • A quick easy trick is to remove insoles and let them dry out between uses, never wear the same shoes two days in a row (a great excuse to go buy some more shoes).  Letting them dry out between uses will help with the smell and help extend the life of the shoes.
  • There are many shoes sprays you can use as well, or fabric sprays like Lysol fabric mist.
  • Another quick tip is to stuff a dryer sheet into your shoes after use.

One product sneakerheads swear by is retaW’s sneaker spray. Made in Japan, the stuff has masculine spicy mint.

Laces

Laces deserve to be as clean as the rest of your sneakers. Clean them well and you may have people complimenting you on your new shoes.

dirty shoelaces
Cleaning Your Sneakers and dirty laces

If machine washing (likely the fastest and easiest method), wash them in cold water with like colours, in a pillowcase or a fabric bag meant for delicates so the laces don’t get tangled up in the other clothes or under the washing machine agitator.

If hand washing, fill the sink up with warm water and let the laces soak for 30-45 seconds.

Put a bar of soap to those laces when you remove them from the water and rub it thoroughly over the laces, making sure you cover all the dirtiness. If you lack a soap bar (or if that method doesnt work for getting the stubborn dirt to leave), you can scrub the laces with a small amount of dish soap. After scrubbing the laces, let them soak again in the water for 30-45 seconds. Squeeze the water out of the laces and strategically lay them out on a towel to dry for maximum results.

For really dirty white laces you can soak in a bleach and water solution, but bleach will weaken the fibers and if the laces are so far gone that only bleach will work then maybe new laces are the best option.

If white laces still require more cleaning, you can sprinkle baking soda on them, scrub them thoroughly and let them soak for another 30 seconds before drying.

When it comes to laces, it is best to not wring your laces if they are flat in shape (like laces on Converse most running shoe laces are round in shape). In order to get flat laces free of excess water, pinch the lace with your index finger and thumb and drag down the length of the lace to push the water out of the fabric.

Cleaning the Body of your Sneakers

It is best to clean sneakers as soon as possible after getting them dirty. If you clean them right away, you will often be successful at getting rid of all the dirt using just a cloth and water. For tougher challenges have a couple of different brushes on hand, even a clean toothbrush works.

Start with a clean bowl of water. Apply the solution (either your store bought solution or a mixture of dishsoap and water) onto the bristles of a wet brush. Dip the brush in the water and start scrubbing until the cleaner start to foam up. Wipe it clean. You could use any old towel or T-shirt, but if you use a microfiber towel, you’ll definitely have better results. There are some high-end sneaker cleaners you can use. Jason Markk makes a premium sneakers cleaner.

A quick method to clean shoes soles is to use a Magic eraser. Use a microfiber cloth and water to rinse any film after using the magic eraser. This is a great quick way to do a cleaning of the hard soles of any sneakers.

Be Sure to Brush

shoe brush
Cleaning your sneakers with soft bristle brush

What it really comes down to is the bristle. If you have a shoe with a cotton mesh upper, the mesh is going to pill up when you use a stiffer bristle, so have a couple of different softer and harder brushes on hand.

The brush definitely plays a huge part. It is recommended that you have both standard and hog bristle brushes because sometimes you need that extra stiffness of the bristle to really get in there and clean.

What To Do with Suede

cleaning your sneakers
Cleaning Suede Shoes or Sneakers

Suede protector is recommended for suede shoes. Before applying suede protector, be sure the shoes are clean and dry. Letting the shoes air dry for at least 24 hours is best. Then you’re good for about eight to ten months, depending on shoe usage. For materials like leather and suede, try a spray from a trusted source, like New Balance. However, all shoes stores will have good leather and suede protectors for shoes.

If your suede shoes get dirty in spite of suede protector, use a soft bristle brush to gently agitate the dirt off the shoe. Be sure the shoe and dirt are completely dry before doing this so you don’t spread the dirt around on the shoe instead of having it fall off.

The Ideal On-the-Go Solution

Always carry wet wipes in your car. Wet wipes are a very quick easy way to touch up stains as they happen.  If you drop something on your shoe at lunch, pull out a handy wet wipe and presto, shoe is clean and you don’t have to worry about the stain drying and setting making it harder to remove later.

If you own them, you need to be cleaning your sneakers. They will look better and last longer if taken care of.

Climbing Harnesses

General Info.:
With a little care climbing harnesses will last longer and perform better.

Technique :
Always store climbing harnesses in a cool dry place away from solvents and sunlight. Nylon is especially susceptible to U.V. rays.
Wash a harness with warm water and a little mild detergent when needed. Rinse and let hang to dry.

Precaution :
Never expose nylon climbing harnesses to high heat sources. These can prematurely break down the fibres in the nylon.

Climbing Ropes

General Info.:
Climbing ropes will deteriorate with exposure to dirt, moisture and sunlight. A few simple actions will increase the safety and effectiveness of your ropes.

Technique :
Store ropes in an optimal environment-chemical and sunlight free with an optimal temperature of 20 deg.C. (68 deg.F.) and relative humidity of 65%.
Remove excess dirt and always use a rope bag.

Precaution :
Always inspect ropes after every climb. Do not use any rope if you are unsure of it’s condition, especially after a fall, or if abrasion from crampons or sharp rocks have worn into the ropes mantle.

Exercise & Activewear

General Info.:
Climbing ropes will deteriorate with exposure to dirt, moisture and sunlight. A few simple actions will increase the safety and effectiveness of your ropes.

Technique :
Store ropes in an optimal environment-chemical and sunlight free with an optimal temperature of 20 deg.C. (68 deg.F.) and relative humidity of 65%.
Remove excess dirt and always use a rope bag.

Precaution :
Always inspect ropes after every climb. Do not use any rope if you are unsure of it’s condition, especially after a fall, or if abrasion from crampons or sharp rocks have worn into the ropes mantle.

Football Shoulder Pads

Lynn from Idaho asks How do I clean the horrible odor from my sons shoulder pads?

Try washing down with an enzyme based cleaner. Enzyme cleaners do well at breaking down organic stains. Wash with cleaner then mix a spray bottle with the enzyme mixture and water and just spray and let sit, this should do some damage to the typical teenaged odor machine. Most laundry spotters or stain sticks and certain laundry soaps contain enzymes or you can buy them at any janitorial supply store in concentrate form, just mix with water. Enzymes work best when mixing with warm water and at least half an hour of dwell time to let the enzymes work.

I know you likely have told him a million times be sure to air out the pads after games or practice to be sure this problem is prevented in the first place. Even spraying with the enzyme solution and airing them out is good way to keep the teenager odor machine from overwhelming your household.

Guitars

Clean a guitar

Tools and techniques :

Idealy you should wipe down the strings and the face of the insturment after each use, as sweat, dust, and grime will damage the varnish over time if allowed to sit.

Use only a very soft, clean, dry cloth, to wipe the instrument and use it dry as many cleaning chemicals can damage the varnish. It is wise to have your instrument cleaned by a professional on an annual basis if you use it often. Be sure to store your guitar in its case, preferably in a cool, dry place with little temperature change.

Hiking Boots-Leather & Suede

General Info. :
Without proper care, leather (and suede) hiking boots will rot or else turn brittle and crack. Even newer waterproof boots need attention to keep the leather supple, conditioned and functionable.

Technique :
Some models are pre-treated at the factory and can be worn several times before waterproofing. Others , especially lighter boots, should be treated as soon as they are purchased.
After use, clean boots with clean, cool water and a medium stiff brush. If mud is allowed to dry on boots for any length of time natural oils can start to wick out of the leather.
Dry wet boots as soon as possible-take out footbeds and laces.
Re-apply the appropriate waterproofing often, especially after the boots have been soaked during use. Consult with the boot vendor for the best treatment for your particular pair.

Precaution :
Never dry wet boots with a direct intense heat source such as a campfire or blow-dryer. These will dry out the leather and weaken the glue.

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