The Air Jordan 1 is one of the sneakers that can be said to be the face of NIKE, and numerous collections have been released so far, including original and collaborative models.
Just owning one of these shoes makes you feel special, so I'm sure there are many people who wear them heavily as their first-team sneakers.
Wearing them a lot means they get dirty a lot.
Furthermore, the main material of the Air Jordan 1 is leather.
- Suede, nubuck-like brushed material
- Fabric materials such as mesh and flyknit
- Patent-like processed materials
Depending on the model, various materials may be combined as mentioned above, and the care method may differ for each part.
The AJ1 is made using a variety of materials, but this time we will be introducing the cleaning and aftercare process using the AIR JORDAN1 HIGH OG "Hand Crafted" which is made from leather and nubuck, two commonly used materials.
If you want to try washing your Jordan 1 but aren't quite sure how, we recommend using this article as a reference and giving maintenance a try.
The contents of this article are also explained on YouTube, so if you would like to see the steps in video form, please check it out.
AIR JORDAN1 Cleaning
To clean the AJ1, follow the steps below.
- Inserting shoe trees
- Remove the laces
- Remove coarse dirt by brushing
- Remove stubborn stains from brushed fabric with an eraser
- (Upper part) Wash with Foam Cleaner Premium
- (Sole) Wash with Foam Cleaner
- Cleaning complete
This time it's a mixed leather and nubuck model, but the cleaning instructions are basically the same for any AJ1.
Inserting shoe trees
Before you start cleaning, Keep a deodorant shoe keeper in there.
Putting a shoe tree in your shoes has the following effects:
- Removes creases from wearing
- The tension on the upper makes it easier to apply the brush, improving workability.
Remove stubborn stains from brushed fabric with an eraser
It is an eraser for sneakers. Use the black side of the Utility Eraser to pre-remove stubborn dirt and stains from the nubuck material.
This time I am cleaning Be careful not to touch the Durabuck (synthetic nubuck) used in the heel of the “Hand Crafted” model with a black eraser, as it will scratch the surface .
By the way, I used black to remove stains on brushed materials, but the opposite white is more effective for stains caused by rubbing on leather and midsoles.
Use the surface that matches the material to remove stubborn dirt that cannot be removed with a brush.
(Upper part) Wash with Foam Cleaner Premium
Use a brush and special cleaner to remove dirt from the entire upper.
Instead of pressing the brush, imagine applying the entire tip of the brush.
This allows you to apply the brush to an area rather than a spot , resulting in more efficient cleaning.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned your sneakers, wipe off any remaining foam with the included Cleaning Microfiber Towel.
By the way, if we just talk about "removing dirt" Foam Cleaner is fine, but Brushed materials such as leather and nubuck may dry out and crack.
By using Foam Cleaner Premium, which contains hyaluronic acid, you can wash and clean leather and nubuck materials while preventing them from drying out.
(Sole) Wash with Foam Cleaner
Once the upper part has been cleaned, we move on to cleaning the midsole and outsole.
Since rubber does not absorb hyaluronic acid, the Premium will be wasted, so cleaning the sole part is Use Foam Cleaner.
The procedure is the same as for the upper part: brush with cleaner, then wipe.
Do this in the order of midsole, then outsole.
The cleaning is complete once the upper, sole and overall surface are clean.
AIR JORDAN1 Aftercare
It is important to take care of your shoes after wearing them to keep them in good condition and to restore their shape if it has lost its shape while you are wearing them.
This AJ1 was made of leather, the toe was crushed, and the shoelaces were badly deteriorated, so we took care of it as follows.
- Further moisturizes the leather
- Correction of toe deformation
- Changing shoelaces
It may take a little effort, but with proper aftercare, it is possible to restore it to as good an condition as possible.
Further moisturizes the leather
Use Shoe Moisture Mist to moisturize the leather, prevent cracks caused by dryness, and restore the luster of the material.
Here's how to use shoe moisture mist.
- Shake the shoe moisture mist well.
- Spray all over from a distance of 15cm or more. *Be careful not to spray too close as this may cause stains.
- Press the Cleaning Microfiber Towel against the material to allow it to blend in.
The subsequent process involves different finishing methods depending on the material, whether it be leather or nubuck.
leather: Polishing with Mouton Mitt
Use a Mouton Mitt to rub the surface in and out.
This will give the leather a glossy finish.
Nubuck: Brush with a brass brush
Nubuck is a brushed material, so you can brush it with the brass brush from the Utility Brush to lift up the flat hairs and make it smooth.
Replace the shoelaces or replace with new ones
To put them back, rub the shoelaces that you have soaked in the cleaning solution, then dry them and put them back.
The shoelaces on this model were worn out, so I bought new ones. I will change it to Easy Shoelaces 160cm.
Easy Shoelaces are made from elastic rubber and can be easily put on and taken off by simply pulling the tongue gently. It is especially recommended for high-cut models such as the AJ1.
Frequently asked questions about how to wash the AIR JORDAN1
Can I wash the Air Jordan 1 with water?
If your sneakers are made entirely of cloth materials such as mesh, you can wash them completely using laundry detergent.
However, sneakers made entirely of fabric-based materials are quite rare , and most sneakers are made of composite materials that also use leather-based materials, like the AJ1.
When leather material absorbs water, the oils inside it are lost along with the moisture, leading to the following deterioration processes:
- Cracks
- Color fading
- Hardening
Also, if the adhesive used on the sole is water-soluble, not only will the adhesive become weaker when exposed to water, but it may also dissolve and stain the upper.
For the reasons mentioned above, it is safe to use sneaker detergent for cleaning.
Can I use baking soda to clean Air Jordan 1?
As with the previous item, this is possible as long as the item is made entirely of cloth-based materials.
However, since there are generally many risks involved, we recommend using detergent specifically for sneakers.
Can I soak Air Jordan 1 in Oxy?
It is absolutely not advisable to soak your sneakers in Oxy.
The sole (rubber part) and synthetic leather surface may melt.
Some people have actually soaked their sneakers in Oxy and had the surface melt or fall apart.
Since the AJ1 is a sneaker constructed from delicate materials like leather, be sure to clean it thoroughly with a detergent specifically designed for sneakers.
It's such a hassle! Is there anywhere that can do it for me?
- I don't have time
- It's hard to get the tools
- I'm worried about whether I can do it myself
If you are one of these people, KicksWrap is the place to go.
Our professional sneaker staff will clean your sneakers responsibly.
Of course, it's not just cleaning. We also offer Shoe Guards 2.0 and outsole protection.
