Author E-kipedia
[Knowledgebot] 

👟Are your dirty sneakers just sitting in your shoe rack?

Now that spring is approaching, it's the perfect time to wash those sneakers. Cleaning your sneakers isn't just about removing unsightly stains—it's important for hygiene too.

Dirty sneakers can become breeding grounds for athlete's foot fungi, mold, and bacteria that cause odor. If foot odor persists despite thorough washing of your feet, it's time to clean your sneakers.

Let's put an end to those complicated cleaning methods! I'll now walk you through a cheap and effective way to wash your sneakers step by step.

1. Check the Material Before Washing Your Sneakers!

Just like clothing, sneakers also have care labels on the inside. Make sure to check your sneaker material before washing them!

Natural leather and suede materials especially should be kept away from water. For these, use leather-specific cleaners, protectors, and waterproofing sprays instead.


 

 

 

 

🧺Materials Checklist
• Mild detergent or shampoo
• (Option) Sodium percarbonate, baking soda
• Plastic bag
• Shoe brush or toothbrush
• Laundry mesh bag
• Newspaper

 

2. Recipe for DIY Sneaker Cleaning

 

 

❶ Remove Stains
First, pre-treat any severe stains on your sneakers! If there aren't any, skip directly to Step 2!

• Mud stains: Apply a mixture of baking soda and water, wait 30 minutes, then scrub with a brush.
• Food stains: For grease, dish soap, juice or coffee stains, wipe with diluted vinegar solution.
• Rubber soles: Scrub with a 1:1:1 mixture of sodium percarbonate, dish soap, and toothpaste.

 

 

 

❷ Mix Detergent
Fill a basin, plastic bag, or zip-lock bag with warm water, and add 1-2 pumps of mild detergent or shampoo. Adding baking soda will help eliminate odors.

I personally prefer using a simple recycled plastic bag that's just lying around the house.

 

 

 

❸ Soaking
Remove the shoelaces and insoles, then soak the sneakers in the detergent solution. Depending on how dirty they are, let them soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. If using a plastic bag, tie it tightly and set it aside.

 

 

 

❹ Scrubbing
Take out the soaked sneakers and scrub them thoroughly with a brush. Clean in this order: outsole, midsole, then upper. Use a stiff brush for the outsole and a soft toothbrush for the upper to minimize damage to the fabric.

💡 For stubborn stains on rubber soles, a mixture of sodium percarbonate, dish soap, and toothpaste in a 1:1:1 ratio works more effectively.

 

 

 

❺ Rinsing
Rinse repeatedly under running water until the water runs clear. Adding one spoonful of vinegar during rinsing can prevent yellowing. If using a washing machine's spin cycle, run it about 3 times on the "gentle" setting.

 

 

 

❻ Drying
Keep your sneakers away from the dryer as it can deform them. Dry them in a well-ventilated shaded area away from direct sunlight. Stuffing newspaper or paper towels inside the shoes helps maintain their shape and removes moisture.

💡 If you need them to dry quickly, replace the newspaper every 2-3 hours. Also, placing a green tea bag inside the dried sneakers can help eliminate odors.

 

💰 Using this method, you can easily clean multiple pairs of sneakers in just one hour. The biggest advantage of DIY sneakers cleaning is cost savings. Instead of spending at the cleaners, you can save that money for a tasty snack and contribute to environmental protection at the same time.

It can be frustrating when even small stains make your sneakers look noticeably dirty. Now you can clean your sneakers simply and affordably at home without going to a cleaning service.

I hope you enjoy your spring with your freshly cleaned sneakers!

 

💌 Magazine Channel