No matter how careful you are with your sneakers, they will get dirty.
Sneaker cleaners are essential for keeping your sneakers clean, and there are many different types available from various manufacturers.
Although they are all called sneaker cleaners, their uses and effects vary depending on the type.
For those who are unsure which sneaker cleaner is best for them, this article will explain the uses of each type of sneaker cleaner and introduce recommended cleaners.
Please use the contents of this article as a reference when choosing a cleaner.
How is sneaker cleaner different from regular detergent?
How is a "special" sneaker cleaner different from regular laundry detergent?
If you look at it from the perspective of "removing dirt," they may seem the same at first glance, but in fact, even the same detergent has various differences.
- component
- How to remove dirt
- Damage to materials
We will compare the differences between sneaker cleaners and laundry detergent from the above three perspectives.
component
- Laundry detergent: Contains strong surfactants and bleaches
- Dedicated cleaner: Contains many naturally derived cleaning ingredients and is gentle on the skin
Ordinary laundry detergents contain strong surfactants that are used to remove sebum stains, which can be too harsh on the delicate materials used in sneakers.
On the other hand, dedicated cleaners are not only gentle, but their ingredients are designed to be suitable for a variety of materials, from mesh to natural leather.
How to remove dirt
- Laundry detergent: Resistant to sebum stains and food oil stains
- Special cleaner: Resists sand, mud, and other dirt that can occur in sneaker environments
While laundry detergent is designed to remove dirt from clothes that come into contact with the skin, sneaker cleaners are designed to remove dirt from sneakers, which are used close to the ground and tend to get dirty with sand, mud, and other particles.
When it comes to simply removing dirt, laundry detergent may work well, but because laundry detergent is designed to be rinsed with water, using it on sneakers will leave behind ingredients that can lead to deterioration later on and affect the finish .
Damage to materials
- Laundry detergent: Strong irritation may accelerate deterioration.
- Special cleaner: Low irritation + can even care for some materials
Strong cleaning power of laundry detergent can remove the natural oils from leather, causing it to crack, harden, and yellow.
On the other hand, special cleaners not only do not damage the delicate materials used in sneakers, but some products even contain moisturizing ingredients that can care for them while washing them.
Types of sneaker cleaners
- Liquid Type
- Foam type
- Brush integrated type
- Sheet Type
- Eraser type
- Remove yellowing
- Stain removal
As mentioned above, there are many different types of sneaker cleaners on the market today, each with different usability and uses.
Liquid Type
- Uses: Thoroughly removes various types of dirt
With the liquid type, you basically just prepare a small amount of water, and use a damp brush and cleaning solution to create foam and then use that to wash.
With its powerful cleaning power and the ability to scrape away dirt with the brush, you can remove all the dirt that accumulates while wearing the shoes.
As a rough estimate of the time required, it will take about 30 minutes per pair of shoes, from preparation to finishing washing.
Foam type
- Usage: Thoroughly removes various types of dirt
Like the liquid type, it has strong cleaning power and a brush, so it is used for thorough cleaning.
The difference is that the cleaning solution comes out in foam form from the start, so there is no need to bother with lathering it up, and cleaning can be done without having to prepare water.
Furthermore, cleaning can be started with the optimal ratio of cleaning solution to water, and there is no residue left behind when wiping, making this a type that is easy to apply.
The time required for cleaning with the foam type is roughly the same as that for the liquid type, taking about 30 minutes if you want to thoroughly clean it.
Brush integrated type
- Uses: Easy to perform thorough cleaning
When cleaning sneakers, we usually use separate cleaning solutions and brushes.
Not only does it mean you have to prepare one more item, but if the foam starts to weaken or you want to change the part you're washing, you'll have to put the brush down and add more cleaning solution, which is an extra step.
However, the integrated brush type has a brush attached to the end of the cleaning solution bottle, so you can refill the cleaning solution while washing.
This type of cleaner is efficient and perfect for those who want to prepare as few items as possible.
The cleaning time is one less step than with foam types, so you can expect to shorten the time by a few minutes compared to 30 minutes.
Sheet Type
- Uses: Portable and easy to use. Can be used to quickly remove dirt when needed.
This is a sneaker cleaner that you wipe with a sheet soaked in cleaning solution.
Each wipe is individually wrapped, making it highly portable, and its convenience means it can be used to quickly clean away stains when you get dirty while out and about or when you're in a hurry before heading out.
Due to their characteristics, sheet types are inevitably less effective at removing dirt than liquid or foam types, but they are surprisingly useful to have on hand.
Since this is a simple cleaning, it takes about 2 to 3 minutes per pair of shoes.
Eraser type
- Uses: Removes stubborn stains
Dirt caused by rubbing on the midsole, etc. It may be difficult to remove it completely by cleaning with a cleaning solution and brush.
An eraser-type cleaner is useful in such situations, as the adhesive properties of rubber make it easy to remove even stubborn stains.
If it contains an abrasive, it can also be used on brushed materials such as suede.
Because this is a localized approach, the procedure typically takes just a few minutes.
Remove yellowing
- Uses: Removes yellowing caused by aging
The white rubber part of the midsole and the clear outsole will gradually turn yellow over time due to a chemical reaction between the materials.
Yellowing caused by chemical changes is not dirt and cannot be removed with cleaning solutions, but it can be removed by using special chemicals for removing yellowing.
Since the product needs to be exposed to UV rays after the chemical application, it will require at least 5 to 6 hours.
Stain removal
- Uses: Mainly for removing stains from fabric
It can remove stains that have become embedded in fabric parts such as the liner of the shoe opening, the tag on the tongue, and the seams of the upper part.
It's great to do this as a supplementary step to cleaning with a cleaning solution.
The treatment is done locally and only takes a few minutes as the liquid is simply soaked in.
Recommended sneaker cleaner items
Foam type | Foam Shoe Care Kit
Simply push the bottle and the cleaning solution comes out as fine foam, so there is no need to prepare water separately.
The cleaning solution is compatible with almost all materials, and it comes with a moderately soft natural boar bristle brush, so it can be used safely on delicate materials.
With just this one item you can easily start cleaning your sneakers.
Foam type | Premium Shoe Care Kit
The feel of use is the same as the Form Shoe Care Kit introduced earlier.
The differences are as follows:
- Highly absorbent microfiber towel included
- Comes with a mist that nourishes leather materials
By applying the mist after cleaning, you can prevent leather from drying out and give it a shine, as well as make flattened brushed materials fluffy.
This one set covers everything from basic cleaning to aftercare, allowing you to take your sneaker cleaning to the next level.
Brush integrated type | Easy Shoe Cleaner 2.0
The container of cleaner comes with a brush, so all you need to do is prepare a cloth to wipe it off, making cleaning a hassle-free item.
The wide shape makes it easy to hold, and the large brush surface area allows you to approach large areas of dirt without stress.
Sheet type | Cleaning Wipes 20pcs
This sheet cleaner comes individually packaged and is easy to carry around, and can be used to tackle two types of dirt, both on the front and back.
Rubber dots are placed on the surface to remove stubborn stains such as scuffs and black spots on the midsole.
The plain side of the back is ideal for removing dirt from the upper.
Eraser type | Utility Eraser
- Black with abrasives for brushed materials
- A white rubber pad that can be used on a wide range of materials, from leather to canvas.
The Utility Eraser combines the two different erasers mentioned above into one.
There is no need to prepare a separate eraser for each material, making this a convenient item that improves workability, especially when used on sneakers made of composite materials such as brushed material + leather.
Yellow Remover
This is a special chemical that can effectively remove yellowing from midsoles and outsoles through a chemical reaction.
After applying the chemicals, all you have to do is cover the area with plastic wrap and expose it to direct sunlight, so this special care is surprisingly easy.
Stain Remover
This item can easily remove stains that cannot be removed even with cleaning solution and a brush.
It comes in a pen type that makes it easy to apply to small areas, and the felt tip allows it to be applied to delicate materials without damaging them.
The stain remover can be used not only on sneakers but also on clothing such as clothes and hats, making it a versatile and convenient item.
⚪︎＋α Aftercare items
Waterproof Spray 420ml
This waterproof spray is said to be essential after cleaning your sneakers.
It contains a combination of fluorine and silicone, which gives it a strong water-repellent effect, so it is not only waterproof but also stain-resistant.
To keep the item in good condition for as long as possible after cleaning, we recommend applying a waterproof spray.
By incorporating silicone, it is compatible with almost all materials and also prevents the "phenomenon of the surface turning whitish" that is common with waterproof sprays.
HEEL PLUS 3.0
A protective item to prevent the heels of your sneakers from wearing down.
The included surface preparation sheet and the strong adhesive make it extremely resistant to peeling.
Made from a highly conformable material, it can be used on sneakers of all shapes, making it the perfect aftercare item for premium sneakers that you want to avoid damaging as much as possible.
summary
Sneaker cleaners come in a variety of types, from simple ones that can be done in just a few minutes to professional ones that take several hours.
Each item has its own unique characteristics, so we recommend that you use the contents of this article as a reference to choose the item that best suits your cleaning needs.
There are videos on the product pages and explanatory videos on KicksWrap's YouTube channel that show how to use each product, so if you don't know how to do something, please feel free to refer to them.
Also, for those who still aren't confident in their ability to clean it themselves even after reading articles and watching videos, KicksWrap also offers a cleaning service.
The work is carried out responsibly by our professional sneaker cleaning staff, so if you're interested, please check out the link below.
