This is how you clean leather sneakers

Sneakers are rarely made of a single material, so it's essential to understand the care your shoes require. For a comprehensive series of cleaning tutorials, click here.

For convenience, natural, synthetic and vegetable leather (corn, grape, etc.) are combined here.

What you need to know when cleaning leather sneakers:

Leather used in the sneaker industry is often of lower quality than the leather used in classic shoes. Due to the various finishes, it's difficult to generalize about care, but sneaker leather is generally treated and can wear out quickly. For oily, full-grain, or patent leather, it's recommended to use specific care products.

How to clean leather sneakers in 7 easy steps

1. Preparation
2. Brush dry
3. Clean the lace
4. Clean sole
5. Clean leather
6. Let it dry
7. Protect

1. Preparation: make sure you use the right products.

When cleaning leather sneakers, it's crucial to use the right products. Avoid household products like green soap or dish soap, as these are less effective and can cause damage.

Instead, opt for specially developed sneaker care products , such as those from First Amsterdam. We also recommend using shoe trees to make cleaning easier and prevent the shoe from deforming.

2. Brush dry: brush loose dirt from the sneaker

A good brush is essential for effectively removing loose dirt before wetting the shoe. Make sure the brush is suitable for the type of leather to prevent damage. We recommend always removing loose dirt with a soft brush.

If there's mud on the shoe , make sure to remove as much of it as possible to avoid brushing it into the material.

3. Clean the laces: remove the laces and clean them separately

Are your laces very dirty? Remove them from the shoe and soak them in a bowl of water containing a suitable sneaker cleaner , such as the specially developed cleaning formula from First Amsterdam. If there's a lot of dirt or stains, apply a few more drops to the laces and rub them between your hands until they lather.

TIP: Run wet laces through a microfiber cloth to dry them faster and remove dirt.

Are your laces less dirty? Then you can also leave them in the shoe and clean them with a soft brush, a little water, and the cleaning formula .

TIP: Don't use a hard brush for this, as there's a good chance the laces will fluff up if they come into contact with these hard bristles.

4. Clean the sole: Clean the sole properly

Use a stiff brush and a good sneaker cleaner to clean the soles, eliminating stubborn dirt. Don't apply too much pressure and let the bristles do the work.

If stains remain, add some cleaning solution to a microfiber cloth and rub it on the stain with your index finger to remove it.

5. Clean leather: then clean the shoe thoroughly

Dip the hard brush into the container with water, shake it well and Apply a few drops of the solution to the brush, then wipe the brush over the shoes in a circular motion. Dab off with the microfiber cloth. Repeat until you achieve the desired result. Be careful not to scratch the laces with the stiff brush.

If the water is very dirty, replace it and repeat step 4. Choose a softer brush for optimal care of premium leather.

6. Let dry: Let your shoes dry properly

After cleaning, dry the sneakers with a microfiber cloth . Then let them air naturally for best results. It's best to leave the shoe trees in the shoes.

Keep the shoes away from heat sources such as the sun or a heater. This can cause the shoes to deform and/or discolor.

7. Protect: Use a water and dirt repellent spray to protect your sneakers.

Use a good water and dirt repellent spray to protect your shoes from unwanted stains and wear. Extend the life of your sneakers and keep them looking fresh!