Footwear maintenance: cleaning tips for sneakers and suede

Proper footwear maintenance depends heavily on the specific materials used in construction. For sneakers made of canvas, cotton, mesh, or rubber, machine washing is possible if specific precautions are taken. To prevent damage, laces and insoles should be removed and washed separately. It is recommended to place the shoes in a laundry bag to protect both the footwear and the machine, using a delicate cycle with cold or low temperatures (around 30 degrees Celsius). Avoiding high heat and aggressive spin cycles is crucial, as these can compromise the glue holding the sole and upper together.

Suede and nubuck require a different approach, as they should never be subjected to immediate wetting. Cleaning suede should always begin with a dry process. Using water instinctively on a stain can fix the dirt into the fibers, causing permanent damage. Effective maintenance for suede involves specific tools such as specialized brushes, suede erasers, and protective sprays. While nubuck and suede are processed differently—suede from the inner side of the skin and nubuck from the outer side—they generally follow similar dry-cleaning protocols.