How to keep your sneakers looking brand new?

Ophélie Hippocrate

02 Jul 2015

mis à jour le 6 October 2015 à 23:02

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Protect them
Protection is as important as cleaning. Before wearing them out, protect your sneakers against the elements: pollution, rain, sand, mud etc. To do that, apply a protective spray to minimise the effects of these external aggressors.
Photo: Pinterest
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Clean them
To extend the life and colour of your shoes, they must be maintained regularly because overuse can result in its deterioration.
Smooth leather: Moisturising body cream, which we all have at home, is the number 1 remedy. It helps to reduce creases, scratches and stubborn stains.

Daim, Nubuck, Velour and Suede: Be gentle with these fabrics. Use a dry tooth brush and drag it lightly along the surface to clean your sneakers.
Do not wash your sneakers in the washing machine! If you must, only wash shoes made of canvas fabric. Place them in a protective bag and wash in cold water. Solvents and alcohols are not miracle cures. These agents deteriorate your sneakers overtime. It is corrosive, so opt for white vinegar instead.
Photo: Pinterest
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Condition them
Your shoes can age very badly if not dealt with correctly. Avoid cracks and keep the leather supple with moisturisers.
Photo: Pinterest
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Examine them
Do remember that each pair comes with different care needs, based on the material and components of your sneakers. From leather, suede, colt, canvas or synthetic fabric, each material requires a different treatment, so do not treat them all in the same way.
Photo: Pinterest
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Deodorise them
As you can imagine, your sneakers will definitely stink. To ensure your shoes breathe well and feel good, it is essential to air them and always wear socks. If you have extremely stinky feet, choose deodorants specially designed for shoes.
Photo: Pinterest
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Advice from Dr Hippocrate
Lifestyle:

For shoe health, alternate your shoes and do not wear the same pair every day.

Weather is a merciless enemy. So avoid wearing the most fragile sneakers when it's raining. After a downpour, place newspapers inside and outside your shoes to absorb the moisture.

To keep your shoes intact, store them in dark, dry places away from the heat. To keep the shape of the sneaker, place shoe stuffings within each shoe.

Photo: Pinterest (Karen Walker)

Keep your sneakers looking brand new with these expert tips from Foot Locker and blogger, Ugly Mely.

Whoever knew the once slighted sneakers would be so ubiquitous today, appearing in almost every woman's wardrobe like a clingy best friend? Well, they are and while they're comfortable and add a hint of casual chic to your outfit, these shoes do tend to get dirty quickly and require a lot of maintenance.

There is no secret here - we must take care of them if we want them to last. So roll up your sleeves, because their lifespan depends entirely on the amount of care you provide.

Start by adopting these good habits, courtesy of American footwear retailer, Foot Locker, in the gallery above and your sneakers will thank you in time to come!

Moving on we also have some advice from blogger and sneaker addict, Ugly Mely.

What are your tips for maintaining sneakers?

I watch what I wear. If it rains, I wear a pair of leather sneakers. If I go on stage I also put on a pair that I can do anything in. I love Jason Markk, a specialised cleaning solution for sneakers that allows for all round maintenance.

How often should we clean them?

I do this 2 times a month, usually on Sundays, it must be done regularly before the dirty marks set.

What should we never do to our sneakers?

Be careful with washing machines. While some machines have a setting for sneakers, avoid putting sneakers with air bubbles (like AIR MAX) into the drum as this will weaken the air bubble and it will wear out faster.

Any more tips?

I carry my shoes in pouches to avoid staining them during my travels, and they are always stored in their original boxes at home. Store them away from light to prevent them from yellowing.

Ophelie Hippocrate

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