Sneakers are the shoes we wear the most throughout our day, from morning to night. Regardless of our daily activities, they are the ones that accompany us. Just like any other type of shoe, sneakers need special care: they need to be cleaned and stored properly. After extended use, it is advisable to wash and refresh them to prevent bad odors. Here are five simple tips to clean them effectively and make them look like new.

1. Products to use

To clean shoes effectively, it is important to choose the right products. Use Marseille soap or liquid soap. If the dirt is hard to remove, use a footwear cleaning cream with bicarbonate or dish detergent. If you want to make your own cleaning cream, mix a tablespoon of bicarbonate with a teaspoon of liquid detergent.

2. How to clean the laces

Before doing anything else, remove the laces, wash them separately with water and soap, and scrub them with a brush to remove stains. A tip: to make them shine, soak them in hot water and bicarbonate.

3. Cleaning the outer part of the shoe

Rinse the shoes with warm water to remove superficial dirt residues. Then, using a sponge (for the upper part), a brush (for the outer sole), and soap, clean vigorously. Rinse and clean again. As taught by the well-known American blog Jason Markk, a leading source in sneaker cleaning.

4. Cleaning the inner sole

To eliminate bad odors, remove the insoles and wash them with water and soap. If the odor persists, soak them in water and bicarbonate. Once dry, spray them with a disinfectant and scented spray.

5. Drying sneakers after cleaning

If possible, let the shoes air dry with the tongue completely facing outwards. In winter, place them on the radiator, separated by newspapers or old towels to prevent damage from excess moisture.