Sneaker Maintenance 101: Keeping Your Kicks Fresh

Sneakers aren’t just footwear that you need to protect your feet. Instead, your sneakers are an investment in style. People notice the shoes you wear, and you’ll notice a big difference in your athletic performance when you wear the right sneakers to hit your goals.

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Once you pick up a new pair of Jordans, the clock starts ticking for how long they last. The good news is that proper care keeps your new sneakers looking fresh for longer. Practicing proper sneaker maintenance is easy when you use these simple strategies.

Practicing Daily Care: Preventing Dirt and Scuffs

A little bit of effort goes a long way toward preserving your new shoes. Even if you jump over puddles, you can still expect your sneakers to accumulate grime during daily wear. Once you’re home, take a moment to wipe your sneakers down after each wear to stop buildup.

You can use sneaker wipes to quickly remove basic dirt and grime. A soft brush also works well for removing caked-on mud and dirt that can discolor your sneakers. Just make sure to use gentle strokes with the brush to avoid damaging the material.

Using Deep-Cleaning Techniques

One of the biggest concerns with white sneakers such as the Nike Air Force 1 is that the material can sometimes start to turn yellow with age. White shoes tend to turn yellow due to factors such as sweat and exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Fortunately, you have several effective ways to counteract the yellowing process.

Using a gentle cleaner helps to remove sweat and dirt that causes staining. For Nike Dunks and leather or suede kicks, you’ll want to use a special cleaner for spot cleaning. Since suede is prone to discoloration, it’s best to do a test patch first. Once you’re confident the cleaner is gentle for the fabric, you can then spot-clean the areas that are dirty.

After cleaning your sneakers, it’s important to let them fully air-dry before wearing them again. Most shoes will need to dry overnight to eliminate the moisture. Ideally, you should keep your sneakers out of the dryer. Too much heat can warp the material and damage the binders in the soles.

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Keep in mind that you also want to avoid putting on wet shoes since this could stretch them out. Having several pairs of sneakers means that you’ll always have a fresh set to wear while the other one dries.

Protecting Your Sneakers From Wear and Tear

Once your sneakers are fully dry, you can add a water and stain repellant to shield against spills. Applying a protective coating to new shoes can also help prevent yellowing and stains before they have a chance to happen.

You’ll also want to protect your shoes from damage that can occur when they aren’t on your feet. Storing your new sneakers in a cool, dry place helps prevent fading and unsightly creases. If possible, find a storage space in your closet or room that is off the floor. Many people use shelving to create shoe displays that also serve as room decor.

Finding Smart Storage Solutions

Proper storage solutions should include using breathable containers that allow shoes to dry out between uses. You’ll also find that keeping your Nike Vomero 5 sneakers and other high-performance shoes in an area with good air circulation also helps them to maintain their shape.

For leather sneakers, you can use shoe trees or paper stuffing to prevent creases further. When you pick out storage containers, find ones that allow your shoes to sit apart. Stacking shoes can quickly cause them to be misshapen the next time you pull them out to wear.

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You can look for plastic shoe boxes that are similar to the cardboard styles your new shoes come in. Alternatively, you can choose to place your shoes on shelving to allow them to rest in the open air. If you choose this option, just make sure that nothing else gets put on the shelf that could squash your new kicks and cause creases.

Knowing When and How to Rotate Your Sneakers

Rotating your shoes helps extend their life span by giving the materials time to breathe and recover their shape. Swapping out the shoes you use for running and other athletic activities can also prevent injuries. In one study, runners who had more than one pair of sneakers had a 39% lower risk of sustaining an injury compared to people who used the same shoes for every run.

Technically, there’s not a specific number of shoes you need. Ideally, you should have at least two to three pairs to use for specific purposes. For instance, you might want high tops for ankle support when you’re shooting hoops. Meanwhile, lightweight low-profile sneakers might be best for running sprints.

You’ll also want to alternate your casual and performance sneakers to limit excessive wear. If you’re not training or on the court, then it’s better to wear your casual shoes. Having several sneakers in varying colors is perfect for helping you find the right shoe to match your streetwear.

Keep Your Favorite Sneakers in Top Condition

Owning a sneaker collection gives you a practical way to protect your feet while also highlighting your sense of style. A new pair of sneakers is an investment that pays off when you feel confident about how you look from head to toe. But, you’ll want to make sure to practice proper care of every new set of sneakers you bring into your home.

Now that you know how to properly maintain your sneakers, you can watch your collection grow. In fact, it might be time to put together a display that showcases all of your favorite new kicks while keeping them in pristine condition.