How to Choose the Best Shoe Cleaner for Your Sneakers
A good pair of sneakers may be rotated in the closet for years, but they require proper and regular cleaning to maintain their appearance. The challenge with shoe cleaner is that the most appropriate cleaning product is not always the most powerful one. The shoes’ upper may consist of a combination of different materials such as leather, suede, mesh, knit, rubber, foam, and synthetic fabrics that may react differently to the same cleaning procedure.
Therefore, the right cleaning tool depends on the material of the prevailing part of the shoe.
A leather Jordan needs a different cleaner and brush than a suede New Balance. Mesh and knit upper shoes like white Nike Air Max require a special maintenance procedure. In contrast, if the favorite pair has three or more different material elements, the cleaning process may be complicated and may require additional tools.
In general, the basic rule for sneaker care is to determine the material of the upper first and the condition of the shoes’ surface. The next step is to choose the appropriate cleaning product and mean. The experienced cleaners recommend starting with a mild cleaning option, as more powerful tools and chemicals may harm the shoe material.
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Start by Checking What Your Sneakers Are Made Of
Before buying a sneaker cleaning kit, examine the upper, midsole, outsole, tongue, and overlays.
Most sneaker uppers are made up of two or more materials, such as leather on the toe and sides, suede around the heel, and a mix of rubber or other materials on the lower part and the outsole. It is a mistake to assume that all the materials may be cleaned in the same way because they have different cleaning and maintenance requirements.
For example, a leather upper needs to be cleaned with a mild cleaner and a soft brush. A mesh or knit upper requires less pressure during cleaning, whereas suede and nubuck uppers need to be treated differently. The source suggests that mixed uppers may need different techniques for different materials rather than using one as the dominant one.
Therefore, while looking for the best cleaner for sneakers, it is essential to pay close attention to the materials mentioned by the manufacturer rather than a generic claim that the product is safe for all sneaker materials.
SHOP SNEAKER CLEANING ESSENTIALS
Choosing a Suede Sneaker Cleaner Kit
Suede is a tricky material for sneaker owners, as the majority of them have heard horror stories about water spots ruining the shoes’ texture.
The good news is that you do not need to worry that much about cleaning suede sneakers.
A proper suede sneaker cleaning kit should include a suede brush and either an eraser or a proper cleaner for suede and nubuck fabrics to lift the fibers and return them to their original shape.
For removing dry spots on your suede sneakers, you can use a suede eraser.
As for spots requiring more thorough treatment, you should use a cleaner that is specially designed for suede fabrics and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The sneaker-care guide that came with your purchase mentions that suede usually responds well to erasing and brushing as opposed to coated leather and mesh.
If you own numerous suede sneakers, consider having a separate suede sneaker cleaning kit for them, as caring for suede requires different aftercare than other materials.
What Works Best for Mesh and Knit Sneakers?
Mesh and knit trap dust in their fibers, unlike on the surface of the material. Therefore, it is better to avoid using brushes with stiff filaments.
It is better to use a foam brush or a specific sneaker shoe cleaner with soft bristles. Gently work the brush in circular motions and blot the solution with subsequent strokes. If the shoes are particularly dirty, repeat the operation several times instead of trying to remove all the dirt at once.
When cleaning Flyknit, engineered mesh, or running uppers, you should not apply pressure use the palm and/or brush filaments to work the solution into the fibers. A soft brush is an indispensable tool in every sneaker cleaner’s arsenal, allowing you to gently remove dust and dirt without damaging the surface of the material.
How to Choose a Cleaner for White Sneakers
White sneakers reveal every detail dirt, grass, street grime, or just the worn midsole. All of that is visible, which makes many search for white shoe cleaner or shoe cleaner for white shoes.
Yet, more is not always better.
When it comes to white leather, a mild cleaner is always preferred. For white mesh, a gentle formula is the way to go. The same goes for cleaning white rubber midsoles, although they might resist scrubbing more than the upper. A stiff brush can be used on the midsole to remove stubborn marks.
Magic Eraser can also be used sparingly on the rubber parts, such as the midsole and the trim, however, to avoid damaging the material, it should not be used on the entire sneaker. The reference you provided clearly states that Magic Erasers are useful for removing stains from rubber, however, it also recommends a different approach for the sneaker uppers.
A good shoe cleaner for white shoes would clean the desired material of the sneaker without harshing it and then proceed to brighten it up.
What Should a Good Sneaker Cleaning Kit Include?
You do not need twenty tools.
A regular sneaker cleaning kit should include the tools that will be used most often for a particular surface.
At minimum, you should have a cleaning solution for sneakers, two types of sneakers cleaning brushes, and a microfiber towel.
The former is necessary to remove dirt from delicate surfaces such as leather, knit, mesh, and other types of uppers. The latter is used for the outsole and stiff parts made of rubber.
Meanwhile, a microfiber towel is required to remove moisture so that it does not leave any traces on your sneaker.
If you have suede shoes, ask for a suede brush and eraser.
This cleaning kit should be enough for most people, while some prefer to invest in the ultimate sneaker cleaning kit with a long list of accessories.
The Shoe Cleaning Brush Matters More Than You Think
People tend to compare and contrast cleaning liquids and neglect brushes in general.
That is wrong, because your shoe cleaning brush dictates how hard you can press on the material, which means that even a gentle cleaner may ruin any fabric when mixed with excessive pressure. Use softer brushes against delicate uppers, medium ones against leather and midsoles, and hard ones against outsoles.
If you only have one brush in your cleaning kit, clean one surface with it before switching to another one instead of aggressively rubbing outsole dirt into your white mesh.
Should You Use a Shoe Washing Bag?
A shoe bag or Sneaker Laundry Bag may be used to contain a sneaker in a washing machine, however, having a bag is not necessarily a guarantee that your shoes will be safe inside the machine.
Leather, suede, glued, old, and delicate finished shoes are examples of materials unsuitable for washing machines. In addition, washing sneakers in a machine may expose them to more water and agitation than hand cleaning.
As mentioned by your source, excessive moisture and washing may promote deterioration in certain construction types, such as older foam and glued shoes.
Before using a laundry bag to clean your shoes in a machine, always consult the care instructions of the manufacturer for the sneakers you own.
Keep in mind that you should consider a washing bag not as an indication to clean all your shoes in a machine but as a method to protect your sneakers while using an appropriate wash cycle.
Do Shoe Trees Help After Cleaning?
Definitely, especially when they are damp and require to retain their shape.
Shoe trees for sneakers can help with this, as they hold the toe box up while the shoe dries and air out. Adjustable shoe trees for sneakers, in particular, would be helpful in such cases when you have a variety of sneakers of different sizes and shapes.
They can be an essential addition to a sneaker-care routine but not a complete cleaning solution. It is better to refrain from trying to stretch a wet sneaker to its shape, and a shoe tree for sneakers should help to hold the form.
Avoid the Biggest Sneaker Cleaning Mistakes
The first and most common mistake of cleaning suede shoes is believing that the more product you apply, the better the result will be. The excessive use of cleaning products may cause damage to delicate and sensitive materials and glue.
The second mistake is trying to rub out any spots on your beloved sneakers with a stiff brush.
The third mistake is drying your shoes at a high temperature. The article advises against high-temperature drying methods, and a shoe dryer may damage the rubber components of your favorite pair. The best way to dry sneakers is to leave them to air dry at room temperature, according to the article.
Finally, do not expect that a proper cleaning will restore your shoes to perfect condition.
Stains, yellowing, oxidation, and the deep scratches on rubber parts, cracks on a suede or fabric upper, and dry foam of worn sneakers cannot be removed; all these defects can only be prevented. A good quality of cleaning products will help to refresh your shoes, but it will not make your sneakers “like new.”
How Often Should You Clean Your Sneakers?
You probably don't need to give your sneakers a thorough cleaning after every wear.
They may only require some minor maintenance.
Wipe away any fresh messes and spot-clean a few places. Save the full cleaning, with all the scrubbing that comes with it, for when the shoe really needs it.
It's much less of a hassle than getting a mess that will inevitably be made by someone else if you're constantly wearing them.
To keep a few different pairs of sneakers rotating through your day, having some cleaning supplies on hand might be a good investment.
The Best Shoe Cleaner Is the One That Fits Your Rotation
There is no best shoe cleaner that would suit all types of sneakers.
If you own leather Jordans, a universal and mild cleaner and two brushes will be useful for you. Suede lovers have to care for their delicate shoes more carefully and choose the proper cleaning tools. People who run in sneakers have to keep their sportswear clean and well-maintained.
It is vital to equip a caring kit for each type of your shoes based on the material, start with the gentlest cleaner, follow the instructions, and let the shoes dry.
It is not necessary to keep sneakers as new as when they were first bought.
They only need to be well cared for.
Keep Your Rotation Fresh With ShoeDaddy
A great sneaker rotation is one that is well taken care of.
Whether you're cleaning your go-to beaters, keeping your white sneakers white, or cleaning your luxury suede and leather kicks, having the proper cleaner kit, brushes, shoe trees, and other sneaker cleaning accessories will make it much easier to keep your rotation fresh.
Check out more sneaker cleaning guides, footwear articles, and sneaker accessories over at ShoeDaddy, and give your favorite pair of kicks the love they need before buying a new pair!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best shoe cleaner for sneakers?
Depending on your sneakers, a quality shoe cleaner will address that specific material. Leather, mesh, suede, knit, and rubber sneakers will all require their own methods of care. Be certain that the cleaner you buy specifically addresses the material on your sneakers.
2. What must I have in my sneaker cleaning kit?
A clean-up kit should have a spray cleaner, a softer-bristle brush, a harder brush for durable rubber areas of the soles, and a microfiber cloth. Suedes, of course, may also require their own suede brushes and erasers.
3. Can a cleaner I use for other shoes work on my sneakers?
Whether a product marketed for cleaning shoes can handle both your sneakers will differ. You will want to read the labels carefully. Suede, nubuck leathers, rough leathers, and certain textiles will often need a specialized cleaner or an adjusted method of application.
4. What is a good shoe cleaner if I need to make my shoes white?
Select cleaners on the basis of your sneaker material rather than the color. A white leather sneaker must have its own form of leather safe cleaners. Similarly, white mesh sneakers demand milder cleaners for the material. If there is a dirty, hard rubber component, that one might handle harsher cleaning methods.
5. Do normal shoe cleaners get suede sneakers clean?
Unless the brand says "Suede-Safe", do not assume that you will clean both. The easiest path to a clean pair is typically going to be to stick with sneaker cleaning products that are made with this suede sneaker in mind.
6. What type of brush do you recommend for shoe cleaning?
For soft sneaker uppers, a soft bristle should be just the ticket for leather, cloth materials, or soft suedes. For cleaning the edges around your sneakers, which will typically be made of industrial-strength rubber, you should bring a firm-to-medium-bristle brush.
7. Is a shoe washing bag safe for sneakers?
A shoe washing bag makes a shoe washing bag that cuts down friction and abrasion. Unfortunately, this may not make the shoes washable, nevertheless. Always be certain to review the care labels on the sneaker that you are thinking of putting inside that bag in the machine that washes your shoes.
8. Should I use shoe trees after cleaning my sneakers?
Shoe trees help to give sneakers their proper structure while they are in the process of air-drying after cleaning. Nonetheless, if sneakers are wet, this aid will expand them, so care is needed. It is essential not to overstretch them beyond their shape and size.
9. How to dry out sneakers when cleaning?
Always air-dry the sneakers at room temperature, and avoid heat. Tumble dryers, heaters, and blow dryers with a fan blow out a lot of heat. Drying is a method in itself if you are careful with temperature and avoid it to create an adhesive melting risk.
10. What are reasonable times to use sneaker cleaning products?
Spot clean when you see a dirt mark, and then use cleaning products only as needed for deep cleaning. Overuse and frequent, overzealous cleaning of shoes tend to shorten the shoe’s longevity.