This is how you clean leather sneakers

Sneakers are rarely made of a single material, so it is 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 grouped together here.

What you need to know when cleaning leather sneakers:

Leather in the sneaker industry is often of lower quality than the leather used for classic shoes. Due to the various finishes, it is difficult to generalize about care, but in general sneaker leather has been processed and can wear out quickly. For greasy, full-grain or patent leather, it is advisable to use specific care products.

This is how you clean leather sneakers in 7 easy steps

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

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

When cleaning leather sneakers, it is crucial to use the right products. Avoid household products such as green soap or dishwashing liquid 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 so that cleaning is easier and the shoe does not deform.

2. Brush dry: brush loose dirt from the sneaker

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

Is there mud on the shoe ? Then make sure you remove this as much as possible to avoid brushing it into the material.

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

Are your laces very dirty? Remove the laces from the shoe and immerse the laces in a bowl of water containing a suitable sneaker cleaning agent , such as the specially developed cleaning formula from First Amsterdam. If there is a lot of dirt or stains, apply a few extra drops to the laces and rub them between your hands until it foams well.

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

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

TIP: Do not use a hard brush for this, because there is a good chance that the laces will fluff when they come into contact with these hard bristles.

 

4. Clean the sole: clean the sole properly

Use a hard brush and a good sneaker cleaning agent to clean the soles, so that stubborn dirt does not stand a chance. Don't put too much pressure and let the bristles do the work.

Do stains remain? Then add some of the 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

Is the water very dirty? Preferably replace the water and repeat the steps in step 4. Choose the softer brush for optimal care of premium leather.

6. Allow to dry: Allow your shoes to dry properly

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

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

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 against unwanted stains and wear. Extend the life of your sneakers and maintain their fresh appearance!