Notice: I am in no way affiliated with any of these companies / products, just a dude who likes using his shoes past the expiration date. Every clean I did was with the generic versions of all these products. I did a lot of research prior to this post and cleaning my own shoes and I thought it was worth sharing to make people's lives quicker and easier.
Canvas (Vans):
- Acquire a toothbrush, hot water, and baking soda or liquid laundry detergent or Jason Markk sneaker cleaner (best but most expensive method)
- Wet / scrub fabric with hot water and chosen cleaning solution, let sit for 10 minutes then rinse off
- Remove mid-sole stains with melamine foam (generic Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) (it removes a thin layer from material, so be careful) or the Jason Markk solution
- Fill with paper towels, then sit outside under sun outside for 2+ hours until mostly dry (do not let mildew; if they remain wet the will smell)
- After dry, insert a cedar shoe tree and store in room temperature area for 24+ hours; give the shoe time to rest
Product Links:
- Melamine Foam (Generic Mr. Clean Magic Erasers):https://www.amazon.com/Dr-WOW-Multi-Functional-Melamine-Cleaner-100x70x30mm/dp/B076Q7JHR2/ie=UTF8&qid=1546012835&sr=1-4-catcorr&keywords=melamine+foam
- Cedar Shoe Tree (Cheapest Effective Shoe Tree):https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073Z1LLTZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner (Optional):https://www.amazon.com/Jason-Markk-Premium-Cleaner-Solution/dp/B00D12KGVW/ie=UTF8&qid=1546012682&sr=1-2&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=jason%2Bmarkk&th=1
Leather:
- Maintenance schedule:Harsh conditions - every 2 monthsRegular conditions - every 5 months
- Keep cedar shoe trees inserted when not in use to keep shape and remove sweat smell
- Remove excess dirt / mud with a "soft" wet rag
- Brush with horsehair brush
- Clean with Lexol Leather Deep Cleaner (orange bottle), wait 20+ minutes until fully dried (use cleaner sparingly), follow instructions on bottle
- Required if using leather cleaner: Apply Lexol Deep Leather Conditioner after cleaning, let sit for 20+ minutes minimum
- Brush after conditioning with the same brush
- If bigger scuffs remain, use your thumb with a dab of conditioner to remove. If this does not work you probably have to use a thin layer of polish to cover the scuff as it cannot be removed with ruining the finish.
AVOID: heating shoes to quicken drying (blow-dryer, etc.)
NOTE: Your best bet with leather type is shell cordovan, it is incredibly resilient and easy to care for. Your best bet with a boot sole is going to be a Goodyear welt. Checkout reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt for more leather care info.
Product Links:
- Lexol Cleaning Kit:https://www.amazon.com/Lexol-E301123100-Conditioner-Furniture-Accessories/dp/B005H7DRQA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546012470&sr=8-3&keywords=lexol+leather+cleaner
- Generic Horsehair Brush:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010TR6NE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- Cedar Shoe Tree:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073Z1LLTZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mesh:
Solution Recipe:
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1/2 cup laundry detergent (CLEAR)
- 1 tbsp WHITE toothpaste (NOT colored)
Instructions:
- Stuff toe box with paper towels so the cleaner doesn't drip through.
- Wipe off dirt with cloth.
- Take an old toothbrush and rub the cleaner into problem areas.
- Wash thoroughly with water and make sure all cleaner is out.
- If needed, white toothpaste will whiten the mid-sole.
Removing Smell:
- Remove crap from inside of shoe / possibly replace insoles
- Buy cedar shoe trees in the appropriate size
- Leave in shoe for 1+ week, and when not in use from then on
- After prolonged use, slightly sand off a layer from the tree horn
Tip: Give shoes 24 hours to rest after wearing them for a day. Do not get shoes wet, dry out immediately if you do. Wear merino wool socks and apply Gold Bond Foot Powder.
Note: Many people recommend silica packets, these are an incredibly temporary solution and are not sustainable. Others recommend sticking them in the freezer, typically this will cause moisture to build up in the shoe and upon "thawing" the shoe will become very damp and promote more bacteria growth.
Repairing Mid-soles:
- Buy E6000 adhesive (generic version of shoe glue)
- Insert cedar shoe tree to keep shape
- Apply to separated area with a decent coat, removing excess with a paper towel
- Apply pressure and scotch / magic transparent tape to shoe, holding the mid-sole and shoe together for 24+ hours (use a clamp if the area is too large for tape)
Product Links:
- E6000 Adhesive:https://www.amazon.com/E6000-230010-Craft-Adhesive-Ounces/dp/B007TSYNG8/ie=UTF8&qid=1546013500&sr=1-1&keywords=e6000
- Shoe Tree:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073Z1LLTZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- Scotch Tape (or any "magic" tape):https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-3105-Magic-Tape-Pack/dp/B071VP1PC6/ie=UTF8&qid=1546013781&sr=1-5&keywords=scotch+tape
- Clamp (optional):https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NQ4QQ0/psc=1
Before / After Pics:
I followed this steps prior to writing this post; here are my results. Conclude at your own discretion.
Submitted December 28, 2018 at 01:01PM by About7Deaths http://bit.ly/2EWdudb
