How to Clean Nike Air Force 1s Without Ruining Them

A fresh pair of Nike Air Force 1s, there’s truly something remarkable about them, especially the all-white kicks. But here’s the thing when you wear them they don't stay fresh for very long, a few trips outside are enough to leave dirt on the sole, scuffs on the leather, and marks around the toe box.

But that’s no longer a worry because your AF1s will continue rocking with you as long as you choose the right shoe cleaning products with a little patience. Cleaning them will make you keep your AF1s looking fresh and in pristine condition for much longer.

Today we are going to dive into how you should clean your Nike Air Force 1 without ruining them.

What You Need Before Cleaning Your Air Force 1s

Before you start cleaning your AF1 make sure you have all your cleaning tools together. That is the most important thing to do before you start scrubbing.

A good sneaker cleaning kit provides you with all the necessary tools for cleaning and the Shoe Daddy Sneaker Cleaning Kit comes with a 150 ml foam cleaner, a soft bristle brush, a hard bristle brush, and a microfiber cloth.
The cleaner is designed for materials including leather, canvas, mesh, knit, and rubber.

For your Air Force 1, these are the tools you want:

• A sneaker cleaner
• A soft shoe cleaning brush
• A stiffer brush for the outsole
• A microfiber cloth
• A small bowl of water
• Shoe trees for drying

Remember, Nike also recommends having a soft cloth or brush available when you are cleaning your Air Force 1s.

1. Removal of the Laces and Loose Dirt

Always start your cleaning when your kicks are dry and remove the laces.
Now brush away any loose dirt from the leather upper, midsole, and outsole because you don’t need to add water to dirt turning it into a mess when you can easily brush it away first.

For the leather upper use a soft brush whereas for the rubber sole, use the harder brush. Make sure to pay extra attention to the toe box because this is where the dirt and scuff marks tend to mostly show up the most on a white AF1.

This is exactly why the Shoe Daddy kit provides you with these two brushes.

2. Clean the Leather Upper

Once you have brushed the dirt off, now you can start cleaning the upper by applying a small amount of your sneaker shoe cleaner and gently work it into the leather with a damp soft brush. Make sure to work in small sections and use circular motions rather than aggressively scrubbing one spot.
A dedicated sneaker cleaner is easier to control and means you don't have to start mixing things in your kitchen every time your shoes get dirty which is why the Shoe Daddy foam cleaner is designed to work with leather, mesh, knit, and rubber making it a practical option if you have different sneakers in your rotation.

Once you've worked the cleaner into the leather, wipe away the dirty foam with a microfiber cloth.

3. Don't Forget the Midsole and Outsole

Now that your AF1's leather upper is cleaned, time to move to the soles and for that you’ll need the harder shoe cleaning brush. This time work the cleaner into the midsole and outsole making sure to get into the grooves and around the edges where dirt tends to build up.

Here you can apply a little more pressure because you're working with rubber rather than the leather upper.

After you're done, wipe it down with the microfiber cloth.

A proper sneaker cleaner kit makes things easier because it provides you with everything you need instead of you trying to find an old toothbrush for everything.

4. Clean the Laces Separately

You don’t need to put the dirty shoe laces back into your clean kicks just yet.

Clean and wash the shoe laces separately with mild soap or detergent and water. Nike also recommends washing Air Force 1 laces separately, either by hand or in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.

If you do decide to use the washing machine then make sure to put the laces inside a mesh laundry bag for washing shoes as it can keep them together during the cycle.

Now you can let them air dry when you're finished.

5. What About Suede Air Force 1s?

AF 1 comes in many variants and some aren’t made entirely from leather. There are some variants which use suede, mesh, canvas, or a combination of materials which is where you need to slow down and clean each material appropriately.

When it comes to suede, don't just soak the shoe or attack it with a stiff brush but start with a dry suede brush and use a dedicated suede sneaker cleaning kit for tougher marks.

If you own a pair with a lot of suede, a dedicated suede sneaker cleaner kit is a better choice than treating the entire shoe like leather and Shoe Daddy Cleaning Kit covers it for you.

6. Can You Put Air Force 1s in a Washing Machine?

If you have a pair of the classic leather Air Force 1, we’d suggest you skip washing them in the washing machine because Nike specifically recommends hand washing leather Air Force 1s rather than putting them in the washer and The American Cleaning Institute also notes that most shoe manufacturers discourage machine washing because detergents and agitation can damage certain leathers and adhesives.

So the advice is simple; follow the care instructions that come with your kicks.

However, if you do have a different Air Force 1 which does allow you to machine wash them based on the manufacturer's instructions, then a shoe washing bag can help keep the shoes contained and secure during the cycle.

Shoe Daddy's wash bag set is a reusable reinforced bag designed for machine washing while the included shoe trees are meant to be used after washing during the drying process.

So yes, a shoe bag for washing machine use can be useful but the bag doesn't make a leather Air Force 1 machine washable.

7. Let Your Air Force 1s Air Dry

This part is easy where the key is patience and not rushing into it.

Once you have fully cleaned your white AF1 kicks, let them air dry naturally.
Avoid direct heat, hair dryers, and the clothes dryer because The American Cleaning Institute recommends natural drying for sneakers while ShoeDaddy also advises letting cleaned shoes air dry away from direct heat.

Now this is where shoe trees for sneakers come in. You can place the shoe trees inside your Air Force 1s while they dry.
Shoe Trees help support the shape of the sneaker and are especially useful around the toe box.

ShoeDaddy's wash bag and shoe tree set is specifically designed this way: wash the appropriate shoes in the bag, then use the shoe trees while they air dry.

For adjustable shoe trees, choose a pair that fits comfortably without forcing kicks into an unnatural shape.

You might see people searching for a shoe tree for sneakers, Jordan shoe tree or even just shoes tree but know that the name doesn't really matter, the purpose does.

8. Keep Your Air Force 1s Clean

If you want your pair of white AF1s to always look clean and in pristine condition then the best way to do that is to not let the dirt build up for months.
Be consistent and give them a quick clean when you notice scuffs or stains.

Remember, a few minutes of maintenance now & then is way easier than trying to rescue a pair that has been neglected for a long time.

This is exactly the point of keeping a shoe cleaning kit at home.

When you are trying to find the best sneaker cleaning kit, best sneaker cleaner kit or best shoe cleaner, the Shoe Daddy Sneaker Cleaning Kit gives you the cleaner, soft brush, hard brush, and microfiber cloth in one package making it easier for you to clean your kicks anytime you want.

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Force 1s?

Now this varies individual to individual, with the way and how often they wear their AF1 kicks and there isn’t a magic number for it.

White AF1 catches dirt quite quickly compared to any other color, so if they are part of your every day rotation then give them quick touch ups whenever they get dirty and do a deeper clean every few weeks or when they really need it.

ShoeDaddy recommends regular light maintenance and more thorough cleaning as needed.

The Simple AF1 Cleaning Routine

This is no rocket science, just a simple cleaning routine that requires consistency and a little bit of patience.

All you have to do is:

Remove the laces.
Brush off loose dirt.
Clean the upper gently.
Scrub the soles.
Wipe away the residue.
Clean the shoe laces separately.
Let the shoes air dry using shoe trees for sneakers.

Lastly, only use a shoe washing bag if the specific Air Force 1 you're cleaning is approved for machine washing.

That is pretty much it, nothing else and nothing more. Your kicks are always going to get dirty because you keep them or bought them to wear them but the most important thing is to maintain them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I put white Air Force 1s in the washing machine?
Only if they are allowed. Leather AF1s, Nike recommends hand cleaning instead.

What is the best shoe cleaner for Air Force 1s?
Use a cleaner that's suitable for the material. A dedicated sneaker cleaner is a good place to start such as Shoe Daddy Sneaker Cleaning Kit.

Can I use shoe trees in my Air Force 1s?
Yes, you can. They are designed to help maintain the shape while your sneakers dry or are stored.

Can I use the same cleaner on suede AF1s?
Yes, if the cleaner is designed for Suede. But remember, Suede needs gentler, material specific care.

How do I clean Air Force 1 laces?
You should remove and wash them separately with mild soap or detergent, then air dry.

Should I dry Air Force 1s with a hair dryer?
No, it is advised to always let AF1 air dry naturally and avoid direct heat.