Tips and Tricks to Clean Your Sneakers
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a brand-new pair of kicks. But if you want your shoes to last their longest, not to mention keep that fresh shine going, you need to keep them clean. Below, our team at Collonil have listed some tips and tricks to clean your sneakers.
Tools & Materials Needed
These steps apply to canvas and leather sneakers, as more delicate materials like suede have their own special considerations. Before you get started with your sneaker care, you’ll need the following tools:
- Regular towel
- Cleaning solution
- Sneaker Cleaning Brush
- Whitening solutions
- Weather-proofing spray
- Extra laces
- Midsole cleaning solution
- Microfibre cloth
- Quick wipes
- Small bowl of hot water
10 Steps to Keeping Your Kicks Clean
- Remove laces
- Tap shoes and/or use a damp towel to remove excess dirt
- If you’re in a hurry and are just after a superficial clean, use a quick wipe, using a dab and twist motion
- For a deeper clean, do the following:
- Dip your brush into hot water, then pour some cleaning solution onto it. (Be sure to read the instructions on the bottle before using, as these will vary depending on the product you’re using, such as Collonil’s Clean & Care Classic).
- Apply the brush back and forth on the upper part of the sneaker, creating a lather. Rinse your brush and repeat these steps as needed. You can also use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach places. A small dab of whitening solution, such as our Sneaker White, will also help your shoes look their whitest.
- Next, use a microfiber cloth to remove the excess cleaning solution. Again, use the dab and twist motion which will simultaneously dry the fabric while helping to remove the stain.
- If there’s still some dirt remaining, repeat the above process by rinsing the brush, adding some more cleaning solution and hot water, and then scrubbing the upper part of the shoe. You can wipe down the shoe with your towel.
- For your midsoles, add some Carbon Midsole Cleaner and get ready to start scrubbing. If you need a deeper clean, use your Sneaker Cleaning Brush, then use your microfiber cloth to dry off.
- For the laces, either throw them in the washing machine, use the brush and solution, or simply replace them with a new pair for that super-clean look
- Allow your shoes to air-dry overnight
- Finally, spray your clean sneakers with weather-proofing spray. Again, be sure to read the instructions on the bottle before using, as these will vary depending on the brand and type of product you’re using
