Tips on how to clean light (white) and dark suede sneakers: special products and brushes

Sneaker care

Suede sneakers require careful handling and care. The velvety surface looks noble, but deteriorates when in contact with liquid dirt. Cleaning suede sneakers from dust or an accidental stain is much easier than restoring them after walking through puddles. But such shoes have an important advantage: thorough cleaning returns them to their original appearance.

Basic rules for cleaning suede sneakers

To prevent suede sneakers from losing their appearance, you need to know how to properly care for them.

Basic cleaning rules:

1. Water-repellent suede care products, which are applied to shoes regardless of the time of year, help to increase the cleaning efficiency. Impregnation protects the material from dirt and the negative effects of water, and prevents the appearance of shiny and worn areas.
2. Although suede shoes are often cleaned with folk remedies, you should not overuse them, since it is unknown how this will affect the material. It is better to use special products designed for cleaning suede, which can be purchased at any shoe store.
3. Wet dirt from suede sneakers should be removed with a brush after it has dried.
4. To clean light and dark shoes, use different brushes, otherwise the light-colored material will become dirty with a dirty accessory.
5. To eliminate abrasions, during cleaning you need to move the brush in different directions, in other cases - in one direction.

Is it possible and how to properly wash New Balance sneakers in a washing machine and by hand?

New Balance sneakers are fashionable branded shoes that are produced using modern technologies.
Such models are chosen by people leading an active lifestyle. However, despite the excellent cushioning and high-quality materials that are used to sew sneakers, they tend to get dirty.

Therefore, all owners of New Balance shoes should know the features of caring for a sports pair. Moreover, there are many of them. We'll tell you how to wash New Balance sneakers in this article.

Choosing a brush for cleaning suede

It is better to clean suede sneakers with special brushes, with which you can quickly and effectively get rid of the most difficult stains.

There is a wide range of accessories made from different materials on sale:

Universal brush for suede shoes

• Universal brushes - made of artificial or natural hard bristles. They cope well with dirt and are suitable for cleaning heavily worn shoes.

Read more ► How and how to seal or restore the soles of sneakers, boots, winter and summer shoes

Crepe brush for cleaning suede shoes

• Crepe model - equipped with hard steel fibers located on the underside of the product, thanks to which you can easily remove dirty stains and dust. There are rubber strips on top. If you rub this area over erased stains, the material will again become velvety. There is also a nylon insert on the side of the brush, with which you can even out the pile.

Double wire brush

• Double metal - one side of the brush is equipped with metal bristles located in the center of the product, on the other side there are natural bristles. Often used to clean old shoes that are heavily soiled.

Triangular suede brush

• Triangular model - the product has rubber side ribs, the surface is covered with nylon pile, which includes brass. The back of the brush is equipped with rubber.

Should New Balance sports shoes be washed?

If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations, placing New Balance sneakers in the drum of a washing machine is strictly prohibited.

Moreover, this rule applies to products made from various materials:
The manufacturer gives the following recommendations for caring for sneakers:

1. Clean their surfaces daily to remove dust and dirt. For this purpose you need to use a soft cloth or brush.
2. Wipe dyed leather sneakers with a damp cloth.
3. Do not allow shoes to come into contact with water. It is strictly forbidden to wash it.
4. When removing dirt from textile shoes, you can use professional stain removers and aerosols.

If there is no other way out, then you can still resort to using a washing machine. However, you should not count on warranty service after such treatment.

Why you can’t wash New Balance sneakers in a washing machine, this video will tell you:

When is it possible and when is it not?

Under no circumstances should New Balance sneakers be placed in the washing machine if:

1. 
   Products made of genuine leather, suede or nubuck.

2. Shoes made of polyurethane, nylon or polyvinyl chloride.
3. Shoes that have a lot of colored elements, stickers, reflective overlays, rivets.
4. Sneakers that already have any damage, for example, torn seams, protruding threads, or a loose sole.

Shoes made from natural fabrics require careful handling. If a pair is expensive and needs high-quality cleaning, then it is better to seek help from professionals . Minor stains can be removed manually.

Caring for wet sneakers

Any actions with wet suede shoes are unacceptable. First, you need to dry it thoroughly and only then start cleaning. Otherwise, the dirt will be heavily smeared and deeply absorbed into the fabric.

Drying rules:

1. Do not dry wet suede shoes near electric dryers and radiators. Due to uneven and rapid heating, it will immediately swell and become deformed. Moisture is removed with a dry paper towel or piece of cloth.
2. The best option is to put wet sneakers on the lasts and wait for them to dry.
3. In addition, shoes can be filled with plain white paper. The filling needs to be changed a couple of times. This will allow the sneakers to dry faster.

Manually

If your New Balance sneakers are not completely dirty, but only partially soiled, you can wash them by hand. It is not necessary to wet the entire surface of the shoe.

Washing is carried out as follows:

1. 
   A small amount of water and detergent are diluted in a separate container. Both regular laundry soap and dishwashing liquid are suitable for this purpose. The main thing is to thoroughly dissolve it in water.

2. The sneakers are stuffed with white fabric. You can use gauze. This is done so that the shoes do not lose their shape and do not get completely wet.
3. Using a sponge, apply the cleaning solution to the stains.
4. Rub with light force with a soft brush.
5. Wash the treated areas under running water.
6. Blot shoes with a paper or terry towel.
7. Leave to dry.

When the entire shoe needs washing, proceed as follows:

• Warm water is poured into a basin, grated laundry soap or any suitable detergent is dissolved in it;
• lower the sneakers into the container (first remove all dust and visible dirt from them, remove the insoles and laces);
• soak shoes for 15-30 minutes;
• gently rub areas with stains;
• rinse shoes under running water;
• dry the steam naturally.

Hand washing allows you to thoroughly clean heavily soiled areas. Other areas will be protected from excess friction, which cannot be achieved when washing shoes in a machine.

How to get rid of dirt at home

At home, you can clean suede sneakers from dirt in different ways, each of which has its own characteristics. Cleaning is carried out with folk remedies or professional cleaners.

Getting rid of fresh stains

Any fresh stains on the surface of a suede product can be easily removed with a paper towel. To prevent dirt from penetrating deep into the fabric during cleaning, it is cleaned with soft, smooth movements without pressure.

Read more ► How to soften your shoes so that they don’t cause calluses on the back; you don’t want to throw your shoes away?

If the stain remains from water, then it is also removed with water, which is sprayed over the entire surface of the sneaker. To prevent the product from deforming, paper is first placed tightly inside.

Water from the surface of the fabric is blotted with a dry cloth, then the shoes are sent to dry at room temperature. After drying, apply a protective cream.

How to remove stubborn dirt from sneakers

A homemade cleaning product can help remove dirt that has soaked into your sneakers.

Preparation and use:

1. In a small container, mix a small amount of liquid soap with water. Ammonia (2 tablespoons) is added to the mixture. Everything is mixed.
2. Dip a rag in the prepared mixture, then wipe the contaminated shoes.
3. After removing dirt, the product is rinsed in cold water. Add a few drops of table vinegar to the rinse water.

To remove stubborn greasy stains, just use talcum powder. The substance is applied to the stain, then removed with a rubber brush. You can use a special eraser. If the shoes are very greasy, clean them with a crepe brush. After processing, the material becomes velvety again.

How to Clean Light and White Suede Sneakers

You can remove stains from light-colored materials using milk and soda.

Application:

1. Heat 100 ml of milk, add 1 tsp. baking soda, mix thoroughly.
2. Shoes should be cleaned with a soft cloth soaked in the prepared milk solution.
3. After removing the dirt, the product is washed under running water and sent to dry.
4. To restore the structure of the pile, just brush over the fabric. The procedure is carried out after the shoes are completely dry.

How to clean white sneakers?

After regular cleaning, white sneakers may remain more gray than their original color. This problem can be solved using both ready-made whitening products and traditional methods.

Of the latter, it is worth highlighting:

• toothpaste with a few drops of lemon juice;
• a solution of washing powder, lemon juice, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide - you need to take three parts of the powder and one share of everything else;
• a solution of soda ash (three shares), liquid soap (two), and toothpaste (one).

You need to brush the surface of the sneakers with the product, and then remove the residue with a rag.

Products for protecting suede sneakers

To minimize the contact of suede sneakers with dirt and water, you need to use special protective products for shoes.

Shoe stores have a huge range of different suede care products:

1. Foam cleaner. The main active ingredient is tensides. The foam is applied to the shoes, then wiped dry with a rag. This includes products called: Aquastop, Kivi, Shtrikh.
2. Impregnations . These are water-repellent products containing fluorocarbon resins. Thanks to the substance, the material retains its color and remains soft. Shoes are treated once every 14 days. The most popular impregnations: Salamander, Nikwax, Twist.
3. Restorative paints. These are liquid products with strong penetrating power. They soften the fabric and effectively renew the color. These include: Tarrago, Shtrikh.
4. Erasers Cleaner, ECCO, Collonil. Designed to remove stains. If the dirt is too strong, the eraser is moistened with water. Rubber crumbs that remain on the suede after cleaning are removed with a brush.

Read more ► How to soften your shoes so that they don’t cause calluses on the back; you don’t want to throw your shoes away?

How to wash in an automatic washing machine?

You should wash New Balance sneakers in a washing machine strictly according to the instructions. Compliance with it allows you to minimize the risk that the shoes will be hopelessly damaged.

The step-by-step algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. 
   The sole is cleaned of all contaminants: sand, small stones, gravel, etc. You can use a toothpick to remove them. Dust is washed off under running water.

2. Remove the laces and insoles from the sneakers. They are washed separately, manually.
3. Place shoes in a laundry bag, if available.
4. Pour the cleaning composition into the compartment.
5. Set the washing mode to “sports shoes” or “delicate”. The spin is turned off.
6. Wash the sneakers and then dry them naturally.

If the washing machine does not have a “sports shoes” mode, you can set it manually:

• water temperature – 30 degrees;
• spin is turned off;
• The Eco Time function is turned on, it allows you to reduce washing time.

It is necessary not only to set up the washing machine correctly, but also to choose a gentle product for treating New Balance sneakers.

Dry cleaning methods

There are several dry cleaning options that can be implemented at home.

Carbon paper

Rubbing black suede with carbon paper allows you to return it to its original color and remove greasy stains.

However, this method is only suitable for dark material.

Eraser

White suede sneakers can be cleaned from dirt and excess shine using special rubber bands. If they are not there, then instead of them at home it is permissible to use a regular office eraser.

They work well on small stains on suede shoes, but are not suitable for removing large stains.

When cleaning with an eraser, there are a few rules to remember.

1. For white shoes, use only a white eraser, otherwise it will leave a colored mark on the material.
2. You need to take an expensive and high-quality eraser. This reduces the likelihood of staining the material.
3. Do not press the elastic into the material. Movements should be light, without force.
4. It is necessary to clean in one direction so that the suede does not end up looking sloppy.

Foam rubber

Foam rubber will help get rid of oily, shiny stains that appear on suede. They are carefully passed over problem areas in one direction. Clean until it returns to its salable condition.

Brush

To clean suede, it is recommended to purchase a special brush: it is soft enough, does not damage the material, but still copes with its duty. This brush can be easily passed through the dirt several times.

It is not recommended to use toothbrushes, as even the softest variations can irreversibly damage delicate suede.

Before starting the procedure, make sure that the brush is clean. A small speck of dirt on it can only make the situation worse.

Black bread

To clean suede, only dry crusts of black bread are used. They are gently rubbed over the dirt until the suede is clean.

The crumbs remaining after the procedure are brushed off with a brush.

Talc

Talc helps deal with greasy stains on suede, which are among the most difficult to remove. The problem is that the fat must first be drawn out of the material, and only then removed.

Apply talcum powder or baby powder generously to the problem area and leave for 3-8 hours. After this, clean the sneakers with a suede brush.

Starch

Starch is sprinkled on the fatty areas of the shoes, then left for an hour. Afterwards, the starch is removed with a brush.

Sandpaper

Helps remove worn, shiny areas on suede. When using sandpaper, it is important to control the pressure.

After cleaning, you need to go over the suede with a special brush.

The most commonly used type of sandpaper is black sandpaper. It is suitable for cleaning only dark suede, since it will leave dirty marks on light ones.

How to protect suede shoes

Prevention and daily care will help keep suede shoes clean and attractive for several seasons. Key tips:

• In wet weather, shoes must be treated with impregnations and/or sprays that repel water.
• Absorbent wipes must be included in your arsenal of care products for suede sneakers.
• Outside the season of use, it is recommended to store suede shoes in a box or a special shoe box. It is better to wrap each sneaker with an absorbent cloth first. This will rid the product of excess moisture and light.

The given set of rules will help in any life situation to promptly clean suede sneakers and prevent damage to the product.

Source of the article: https://tvjam.ru/livehaki/kak-pochistit-zamshevye-krossovki-v-domashnih-usloviyah/

Washing bag

The bag for washing sneakers is a mesh that is secured with laces or a zipper. There are shock-absorbing inserts inside. They guarantee additional protection for shoes and the rotating elements of the washing machine.

Mode of application:

• pour the selected detergent into the washing machine compartment;
• place the sneakers in the net;
• run a wash cycle without spinning and drying;
• After cleaning is completed, the pair is taken out of the bag and dried in the fresh air.

To wash white suede sneakers, it is better to use bags made of light fabric.

Drying

Sneakers need to not only be washed properly, but also dried. To do this, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. 
   Do not expose steam to high temperatures. Do not use hair dryers, heating devices, radiators or heaters for drying.

2. Fresh air should be given preference. However, you need to protect your shoes from direct sunlight.
3. If it is impossible to take the pair outside, they are left in a dry and well-ventilated area.
4. The inside of the shoe is stuffed with fabric or paper. Any material must be white, without dyes. As the fabric gets wet, it is changed to dry.

You can speed up the drying process of shoes by using a fan by directing a stream of air at them. The device itself is turned on at full power.

#3 rule - cleaning salt stains

Sometimes salt stains may appear on suede shoes. This problem is especially relevant in the winter season. A cloth soaked in warm milk or a solution of water and vinegar in a concentration of 1:1 will help you cope with such stains (for example, a teaspoon of water + a teaspoon of vinegar, then mix and get the desired solution).

Use a cotton swab to apply the solution to the problem areas of your suede shoes, and then try to remove it from the shoes by dampening the cloth in running water.

Important Tips

To prevent damage to your sneakers during manual or machine cleaning, you need to take into account the following recommendations:

1. Light-colored shoes are washed separately from colored ones.
2. It is recommended to load no more than 1-2 pairs of shoes into the machine. For gentle processing, you can throw unnecessary white fabric into the compartment. It will reduce the friction force between the shoes and the drum.
3. If you can avoid machine washing, you should use it.
4. Colored shoes should not be washed with a detergent for white fabrics.