Caring for Your Sneakers: Keep Them Fresh and New

Sneakers have become a part of our lifestyle. They resonate with our personality and fashion style. Taking proper care of sneakers is also vital in keeping them good-looking and long-lasting. Whether you are a sneaker enthusiast with a vast sneaker collection or someone who always wants to keep their sneakers fresh, we have some tips to follow to keep your sneakers well in shape.

STEP 1: Prep Your Sneakers

Before starting to clean your sneakers, follow these steps to prep your sneakers:

• Remove laces and insoles: Take out the shoes' laces and soak them in warm water mixed with some mild detergent. Rub them gently to remove any dirt, grime or stain accumulated on the laces. Now wash them in clean water and keep them for air drying. Now, remove the insole, apply a sneaker cleaning solution, use a soft bristle brush and gently scrub it, avoiding the area surrounding the graphic print on the insole. It will remove the foul odour of the insole. Wash it with clean water and dry it in a well-ventilated area.
  
  
• Dry wiping: Use a lightly wet microfiber cloth to quickly dry and wipe out external dirt or stains accumulated on the shoe so that dirt is not pushed into the material while deep cleaning.

STEP 2: Deep Cleaning

In this step, be careful with the tools since sneakers are made of various materials like leather, suede, and mesh. If cleaning tools are not selected properly, they can even damage and tear the shoe. Follow these methods to ensure proper care:

1. Cleaning the outsole: This is the place where maximum dirt gets accumulated. Use a firm bristle brush and apply the sneaker cleaning solution to remove tough dirt, mud and stains. Clean it with light, warm water to ensure a deep cleaning effect.
   
   
2. Cleaning the midsole: Use a medium bristle brush and apply the cleaning solution to remove the grime and dust gathered on the midsole.
   
   
3. Cleaning the upper: Sneaker upper is made of different materials such as leather, canvas or suede, so we must be extra careful of the material as it can easily tear out and destroy the shoe. Apply cleaning solution and use a soft bristle brush or slightly wet microfiber cloth to wipe out dust accumulated in that area quickly. For suede shoes, specialized brushes are available to provide safe cleaning. Do not soak leather shoes in water, as it can damage the material; instead, use a slightly wet fabric to clean the material gently. Be a little careful around the eyelet as it can easily break, and colour may fade out.

STEP 3: Rinsing

Rinse the sneaker gently with a damp microfiber cloth to remove the cleaning solution. Please do not soak the shoe in water, as it can loosen the binding material and gradually lead to tattering and breaking.

STEP 4: Natural Air Drying

After cleaning, leave your shoes for air drying. Avoid areas with direct sunlight as it can fade the colour of the shoe. Place them in a properly ventilated area to uniformly air dry the shoe. You can use a paper towel to quickly dry the excess wetness inside the sneakers to remove extra moisture.

Pro Tips

By following the above process, anyone can clean the sneakers gently and quickly and maintain them in a proper condition. Here are some pro tips which can be used daily to protect your sneakers for a long run:

1. Keep the sneakers dry, which will prevent odour and prevent the growth of bacteria because of unnecessary wetness.
2. Use water-repelling sneaker sprays after cleaning, which will provide an extra layer of protection against scum, dust and stains, keeping them long-lasting.
3. Clean any freshly formed stain by using a microfiber cloth to avoid setting up dirt, which requires deep cleaning later.
4. Store the shoes properly on the shelf by maintaining some space to let the sneakers naturally dry out in a cool space. You can build a shoe tree to ensure proper spacing between the shoes.

Make it a habit to clean your sneakers regularly, as clean and good-looking sneakers can add a shine to your outfit, enhancing your personality. Remove the fresh stain before it gets settled on the shoe. Use a soft bristle brush daily to remove any external dust accumulated on the shoe. A dirty shoe can ruin your mood and day, but a fresh-looking shoe adds confidence to your steps and makes your walk effortless.

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