How to care for leather sneakers? How to care for white sneakers at home.

Regardless of the season of the year, the topic of caring for sneakers is not exhaustive and, as usual, there are those who need practical advice and we are ready to provide it. One summer evening, having gathered around a round table and ordering ourselves various “liquid” and “solid” delicacies, we decided to compile a small guide about how to properly care for sneakers, how to clean them and the like. You can read about everything, but briefly and “to the point.”

The best option is to clean your sneakers with a special product; there are a large variety of them on sale. We wrote about one of these in this article.

3. How to protect the body of sneakers from deformation?

Use wooden form holders. Of course, plastic and more affordable alternatives do the job to some extent, but wooden mold holders are usually larger in size, they are properly constructed and do a great job of stretching the sneakers from the inside, acting like iron for the leather body. At the same time, the advantages of wood include the function of “pulling” moisture from the skin and saturating the sneakers with a pleasant woody aroma (especially if the mold holder is made of cedar).

4. How to restore the whiteness of old white laces?

Very simple - using white powder. If the stains are very heavy, you need to be patient and, if necessary, wash 2-3 times; otherwise, this method works well in practice.

5. How to clean sneakers made of suede and nubuck?

With the right tool, cleaning agent and understanding of the principle of “what to do?”, you can easily clean suede or nubuck sneakers from dust, salt stains, grease and other contaminants. We talked about all the nuances of such cleaning in the material dedicated to suede shoes.

6. How to clean mesh on sneakers and, in fact, sneakers made of mesh?

As we all know, caring for light-colored (often white) sneakers that have mesh inserts or are entirely made of mesh (such as Flyknit, Primeknit, Mesh) is not an easy task, but there is a way to do it, and we’ll talk about it below we'll tell you.

Firstly, before cleaning, you should get some tools: soft brushes, napkins, rags or anything else that you personally use. It is important to understand here that when cleaning the mesh, you can use only those brushes that will not harm the sensitive material of the shoe body. Coarse bristles on brushes can damage it, and it will be impossible to get rid of scratches.

Secondly, use the right cleaning products. In this matter, you should give preference to trusted companies, such as Jason Markk. You can also use Tarrago Shampoo (especially for the body of Flyknit models), Tarrago SuperGel (for hand washing sneakers) and so on.

Don't forget, cleaning is always more difficult than preventing contamination. Therefore, try to protect your shoes before you need cleaning products. For protective purposes, use Tarrago Nano Protector dirt- and water-repellent spray. It is applied in 2-3 layers with a break of 30 minutes. Of course, you won’t notice a water-repellent effect on mesh sneakers, but we don’t need that; it’s important that the sneakers won’t absorb dirty moisture into the fabric. Thanks to this, the sneakers will be much easier to clean later.

Which in modern times can be considered everyday. Many people believe that such products are unpretentious and do not need to be looked after. However, if this is not done, the shoes quickly turn yellow and the insoles acquire an unpleasant odor. How to properly care for sneakers?

Basic rules of daily care

1. If you wear sports shoes outside, every time you leave the house you need to use a special spray to protect them from weather factors, especially in the winter and autumn seasons. The spray covers the sneakers with a protective layer and prevents streaks on their surface. When purchasing a protective product, you should remember that each spray or oil is intended for a specific material (this issue can be clarified with a consultant).
2. Keep your sneakers clean regularly. It is not recommended to wash them in a washing machine; if they are heavily soiled, you can wash them under running water using regular soap or mild shampoo.
3. Are your sneakers made of nylon? This is a fairly practical material that does not require special care, so it is enough to wipe them with a damp cloth and apply a protective spray from time to time.
4. For leather sneakers, it is recommended to use a special shoe polish, the tone of which will match the tone of the material. If desired, you can choose a cream that has a neutral shade.
5. Sneakers made of suede or nubuck are the most “capricious” models in terms of care. Small stains can be removed using a special suede brush (it has soft bristles). If stains appear on the surface, you will have to purchase a stain remover for this material. Wet cleaning is recommended only in extreme cases. Please note that you must use the suede stain remover strictly in accordance with the instructions.
6. If your sneakers are made of artificial materials, you can simply wash them with cold water and a soap solution.
7. It is recommended to purchase several pairs of shoes at the same time to extend their service life. Some models are suitable for the gym, but completely different ones for regular walks.
8. Use folk remedies and strong solvents with caution, which can damage the structure of fabric or skin. It is advisable to first try out a new, unfamiliar product on an inconspicuous piece of fabric.

How to care for white sneakers

Such things require even more careful care. To prevent unpleasant yellowness from appearing on your sneakers over time, they should be regularly wiped with a damp cloth after you come in from outside (it is first recommended to remove dried dirt with a brush).

If an unpleasant stain does appear on your shoes, you can use modern bleaching agents that are sold in hardware stores. A handy option is white toothpaste without dyes, which you need to gently rub into the stain.

Thus, caring for your sneakers should be done daily if you want to maintain the attractive appearance of these sports shoes for a long time. At the same time, each material has its own specific care: leather and suede require a different approach. If the sneakers are heavily soiled, it is better to entrust the care of your sneakers to professionals who will remove the stains without damaging the item.

When buying new shoes, everyone wants them to last a long time and at the same time maintain their pleasant appearance. But in practice, after a while you notice that your new sneakers lose their attractiveness and you have to resort to various tricks to restore them to their original appearance. To prevent this from happening, you need to know how to care for your sneakers, which methods will help you with this, and which will only make the situation worse.

Immediately after purchase

Immediately after purchasing shoes, it is advisable to give them additional protection. To do this, you need to apply a protective water-repellent agent. It is most often sold in spray form. This spray repels water and dirt. If you step in water, your sneakers will remain dry and clean. With this product, your shoes will look clean and your feet will be dry.

You need to choose the product depending on the material from which your pair of sneakers is made. After the first treatment after purchase, you must periodically treat your shoes with this product. Especially when it’s raining or snowing outside.

Important! The spray should be applied to shoes that are dry and previously cleaned of dirt and dust.

Cleaning sneakers

This matter cannot be neglected, since the more dust and dirt accumulates, the more difficult it is to wipe it off later. To properly care for your sneakers at home, take note of these tips:

• In most cases, you can get by with a soft cloth, water and regular soap. This method is quite suitable for leather and rubber products.
• Shoes made of suede and nubuck are more difficult to care for; dry cleaning is preferable for them. If sneakers made of nubuck or suede are not very dirty, then you can get by with a special brush for cleaning these materials. To clean such capricious materials, it is better to use special products. Stubborn stains can be removed using an eraser.
• For textile sneakers, a dry brush is suitable. If you don’t have one at hand, an old toothbrush can easily replace it.
• Nylon sneakers just need to be wiped with a damp cloth.
• Sneakers made of artificial material are washed with soap and cold water.
• Most sneakers have a white sole, which requires special attention and care. Otherwise, it won’t be white for long. The surest remedy here is an old toothbrush and soap solution. You can also try rubbing it with toothpaste.
• Laces that have lost their whiteness can simply be washed using washing powder with a bleaching effect. If they are very dirty and do not return to their previous appearance the first time, do not be upset, the wash can be repeated. Another good option is to rub generously with laundry soap, leave for 30-60 minutes, then wash by hand.

Can sneakers be washed in a washing machine?

If your shoes are very dirty, then in some cases they can be washed in an automatic machine. But you can only wash high-quality shoes and you need to adhere to certain rules:

• detergent - liquid;
• mode - “sports shoes” or “delicate”, without spin;
• Be sure to put your shoes in a special laundry bag or at least a pillowcase.

Important! You can additionally throw 1-2 oversized items into the drum, for example, towels. This way, washing your sneakers will be much softer and more delicate for both the shoes themselves and your equipment.

Washing your shoes in a machine can damage your shoes, they can become deformed or the material from which they are made can lose their properties, especially leather. Therefore, before caring for your sneakers in this manner, check the manufacturer's recommendations for your preferred cleaning method. Another nuance is the manufacturer: the more durable and high-quality the model, the lower the risk of spoiling it.

Important! It is strictly not recommended to wash suede and nubuck shoes. But laces and insoles - on the contrary, it is better to wash them more often.

Drying shoes:

• For the sneakers to dry, you just need to leave them in a well-ventilated area for a day.
• Pull out the tongue as much as possible and tuck in the laces only after they are completely dry.
• It is advisable to stuff the inside with old newspapers or paper. This helps maintain the shape of the product and dry it faster from the inside. But you can’t put them on a radiator or other heating device. Everything here is fraught with big trouble. And the sole may deteriorate and the leather may crack. So no batteries, hair dryers or sunlight.

What else needs to be taken into account when it comes to caring for sneakers?

• When cleaning shoes, do not use strong chemicals, such as Domestos.
• Do not use nail polish remover - this will get rid of not only dust and dirt, but also paint.
• Be sure to wear socks, even if it's hot. If you don’t do this, your sneakers will soon acquire an aroma that will be difficult to get rid of.
• To avoid wrinkles in your heels when putting on your shoes, use a spoon.
• Do not store socks in sneakers, especially worn ones.
• Make it a rule to wash and clean your shoes as they become dirty. If you delay cleaning, the dirt is deeply absorbed into the material and is difficult to remove.
• Use special shoe deodorants. In addition to the scent, they have antibacterial properties and take care of the health of your feet.
• Don't wear the same pair of shoes for several days in a row. Even in dry weather, moisture accumulates inside the shoes and you need to give the shoes time to dry.

Important! To protect sneakers from deformation, you need to use wooden mold holders - pads. You can also store them by stuffing them with paper or old newspapers. In addition to the fact that these measures will help maintain their shape, they will also absorb excess moisture.

Summary:

Sneakers and shoes in general are a very important attribute of your appearance. Most often, they stand out from the general style and force attention. If you are a man, then most likely you have heard more than once that women very often pay attention to shoes. Therefore, many people want to extend the life of their sneakers and learn how to care for them while maintaining their appearance.

Cleaning

Let's start with this point; the fact is that there are many ways to wash or clean your shoes from dirt. Many people use regular wet wipes; if you are outside or in a hurry, then this is normal. It is not advisable to constantly use wet wipes, so sometimes a good cleaning is simply necessary.

There is essentially only one way to clean sneakers manually; they only experiment with products. If you only use water, then it’s in vain; this method is only suitable for cleaning the soles of large dirt.

Your task is to take some kind of not very hard brush and detergent. Ideally, of course, you need to use special products for shoes, but as practice shows, there are products that do just as well, just in case you don’t have a lot of money. A regular bath cleaner that is foamy works best. It copes well with the fabric and the sole itself.

Owners of sneakers and sneakers from the company or know that the soles get very dirty and are difficult to wash. In fact, you can make your life easier and take toothpaste and, again, a brush, by the way, some people use a toothbrush because it is softer. Toothpaste cleans rubber soles almost perfectly.

Wash

You can wash them in a washing machine, but not all of them, for example, regular sneakers can, but there are some rules. If there are suede inserts, then it is better to refuse this procedure; it is also not advisable to wash the sneakers. The fact is that shoes can lose their shape and become dull.

Therefore, you can use this method of care and cleaning, but it is better not to use it frequently and do this extremely rarely. Also remember that under no circumstances should you dry them on a radiator; just let them stand in the room.

Surface treatment

There are a large number of products on the market that are designed to extend the life of your shoes, including products for treating leather, suede, and so on. All these remedies need to be used sometimes, as they really work. But you should understand that they will not bring already dead shoes back to life.

Such products often cost a lot, so for some it may not be practical. Therefore, you should look for cheaper options, especially if the sneakers are inexpensive, since such options are available on the market.

You can find a comparison of similar products and cleaning products in the video at the bottom of the page.

Body care

There are special holders that keep the shape of the shoes when they are at home. Using this tool is not entirely necessary, but it would be nice. It is also worth understanding that nothing is durable; sooner or later the shoes will wear out anyway, as this is a normal phenomenon.

To avoid this, use at least two pairs of sneakers in turn. The fact is that even in dry weather, moisture appears and remains inside, which has a negative effect. Therefore, walk around in some, and the next day put on others, the first ones will dry well during this time.

Grid problems

If your sneakers have mesh inserts, they will also gradually become dirty. They are difficult to clean because the material is very soft and can be easily damaged. Here you definitely need to use the softest brushes and napkins possible, and you can’t do without products.

In this case, you can use Jason Markk or Tarrago sneaker care product.

Useful lifehacks

Be sure to use socks, as you will protect yourself from fungus and calluses, and also reduce moisture inside your shoes.

Try using a water-repellent spray, which works well and will require less cleaning. Almost every material has its own spray, for example, for rubber shoes you can use car lipstick, which is made for car seals. The point is that the rubber of the sneakers swells a little (imperceptibly), thereby preventing water from entering.

If you are tormented by unpleasant odors, you can use deodorants; they will not only solve your problem, but will also prevent dirt and bacteria from destroying your shoes.

Also, you should not remove them in the known way with your toe on your heel. This gradually spoils the material and there is a chance of the sole coming off. It is better to unlace and remove by hand.

Using a spoon will also prevent the back wall from getting damaged.

When choosing, try to choose your size, no more, no less, over time this affects wear.

Conclusion

Yes, there are many rules that actually fulfill their purpose and prolong life. You don’t need to wash and constantly care for your sneakers around the clock; you need to remember that nothing lasts forever, especially in terms of clothing. You have a thing that is constantly in contact with asphalt or the ground, it is logical that sooner or later it will “die”. Good luck!

Video

To do this, you just need to properly care for your sneakers - we know 10 simple life hacks that will change your life!

Don't wear one pair every day

No matter how much you love your new sneakers and how perfectly they fit with any outfit, you shouldn't wear the same pair every day. Moreover, for completely practical, and not fashionable reasons - even after wearing them for a short time, moisture appears inside them, the likelihood of an unpleasant odor increases, as well as the likelihood of faster wear.

If you can’t imagine yourself in any other sneakers, it’s better to go for the exact same second pair.

Don’t forget to treat your sneakers with special products...

Popular

... just like any other shoe. Believe me, special care products for shoes in general and sports shoes in particular were invented for a reason. They really work, but only if you use them as a preventive measure - with an already spoiled pair, they are unlikely to work a miracle. So don’t forget to treat your favorite sneakers with a protective compound before leaving the house.

You can save money

But, despite the need to purchase special products for the care of sneakers, it is not at all necessary to spend an amount on them that exceeds the cost of the pair itself - you can almost always find an alternative (and more budget-friendly) version of the protective product. But, we repeat, you must use it!

Wash them very carefully

Most of us prefer to wash our sneakers in the washing machine. But many experts do not recommend getting carried away with machine washing at all - in their opinion, it is only suitable for models made of artificial materials, but can even harm a pair with a leather or suede upper.

But if you still decide to machine wash your sneakers, you should wash them separately from the laces and insoles, and in addition, you must first clean the soles of dirt, pebbles and other “gifts from the street” and use a special bag when washing.

Washing is a must

But infrequent washing, whether by hand or machine, is not very effective in the absence of constant cleaning of sneakers. It is important to wash them every time you return home and not leave them dirty overnight or even for a couple of days.

On models with a smooth surface, you can remove dirt with warm water and soap, but suede sneakers require a more careful approach - use a dry shoe brush.

Keep fit

Before putting “freshly washed” sneakers out to dry, stuff them with scrap paper or old newspapers. This simple tip will help them not to deform, will retain their original shape and, in addition, will allow them to dry much faster.

Forget about the battery

Have you washed or washed your favorite pair of sneakers, diligently stuffed them with parchment paper and put them under the radiator to dry? Well, everything is gone! Perhaps the main tip for caring for sneakers is to never dry them under a radiator! Unless, of course, you want to end up with completely damaged shoes - from such treatment the sneakers can, at a minimum, become unstuck, and at maximum, crack and change shape.

Don't wear them on bare feet

Wearing sneakers on your bare feet will lead to painful calluses, and they will lead to an unpleasant odor and wear at an accelerated rate.

Don't be afraid of wear and tear

Do you act strictly according to the instructions, follow all the recommendations of experts, but telltale abrasions still appear on your sneakers? You just have to come to terms with this fact - shoes inevitably wear out, which, of course, does not negate the fact that caring for them is still important and necessary. Just don't panic over a fresh micro scratch on the side of your favorite Snickers.

By the way, some sneaker fans, on the contrary, believe that slightly worn pairs look much more interesting than sterile, clean, freshly purchased sneakers and resemble vintage models! But, again, provided that they are properly looked after.