There’s no way around it. Your sneakers—no matter how treasured—are bound to get dirty. (Unless you keep them hermetically sealed in a museum-quality display case, or something.) With summer festivals, hikes, and Challengers-inspired tennis (or pickleball) matches all the perfect excuses for stepping out in tennis shoes, you may be wondering how to clean your sneakers. We reached out to London’s ultimate destination of clean sneaks, Jason Markk, for the top tips for keeping your prized footwear bright and shiny long after they’ve left the shoebox.
In the last decade the brand has established itself as the go-to for sneakerheads looking to reinvigorate their beloved shoes. The brand first focused on sneaker-specific products and then expanded to drop-off services in Los Angeles and London.
However, if your favorites need urgent action or you’re keen to perfect your sneak-care technique, here’s how:
1. Grab Your Brush
Always start by using a soft bristle brush over the entire upper and midsole of the shoe. This will help clean off the top layer of grime that would otherwise embed itself deeper into the material. Always make sure you’re using the right brush, too. While you may be inclined to grab any old toothbrush, suede, knit, leather, and mesh require different types of care.
2. Soak It Up
Your sneakers deserve more than a ratty old rag. Investing in a microfiber towel will make all the difference when it comes to drying off your sneakers, easily tackling stubborn scuffs on midsoles with a few drops of solution and a bit of pressure. While they’re good for smoothing over scuffs, microfiber towels also revive suede back to a good-as-new state.
3. Stay Consistent
It’s time-consuming, but give your tennies a regular cleaning. Allowing dirt and dust to build up over time only makes them more difficult to clean, and can actually shorten the life of a leather sneaker. Save yourself the trouble and pick up a cleaning solution that doesn t need any water for ease and speed.
4. Keep Them Fresh
Storing sneakers can also have a large impact on their lifespan. While you may be tempted to chuck them into your closet as soon as you take them off, always make sure that your shoes are dry, clean, and laced up. If you really want to go the extra mile, add shoe fresheners into each shoe, and even consider wrapping them in acid-free tissue paper.
5. Laces, Laces, Laces
What a difference a new pair of shoelaces can make, especially when they’re bright white. Running them through the wash can work, but there’s nothing like that totally fresh feel. For a few dollars, you can give shoes a brand-new feel. And if you’re really feeling adventurous, try out a colorful pair of laces to liven up your outfit.
