Until just a few years ago, NIKE's Dunk was at the center of the sneaker boom.
Although the trend has calmed down in recent years, its simple design, wide range of colors, and affordable price range mean that it remains popular.
I'm sure there are many people who wear these Dunks often and end up getting them completely dirty, and would like to clean them.
However, if you have no prior experience with cleaning, you may not know exactly what to do.
In this article, we will explain in detail the steps to actually clean a heavily soiled dunk, as well as the aftercare required after cleaning.
If you are thinking about cleaning your Dunk, be sure to use this information as a reference and give it a try.
Dunk Cleaning Instructions
The model we will be cleaning this time is the "NIKE × off-white Dunk Low lot 20". (The photos in steps 6 and 7 below are of a different model for ease of understanding.)
Dunks are often made primarily of leather, but this model is made up of a composite upper of leather and suede, with some suede used in parts.
There are quite a few Dunks that are made of leather and suede (or nubuck), and the basic washing method is the same for these models as well as Dunks that are made only with major leathers.
We will explain the steps that differ depending on the material, so proceed in the way that suits your model.
The steps are performed in the following order:
- Inserting shoe trees
- Remove the laces
- Remove coarse dirt by brushing
- Tackle stubborn stains with a sneaker eraser
- Wash with cleaner
- Remove stains from fabric materials
- Remove yellowing from soles
- Rub and wash the shoelaces
Steps 6 and 7 are only required when the dirt is extremely severe, so if the dirt is something that happens on a daily basis, step 5 will be all you need.
1. Insert a shoe keeper
Before you start cleaning, first set up the shoe tree.
Here are some reasons why you need shoe trees:
- Can remove creases caused by wearing
- The tension in the upper allows the brush to be applied more effectively.
Both are important factors in cleaning.
Although it may be a bit of a hassle to prepare them, shoe trees are essential for quality cleaning, so be sure to use shoe trees that are the right size.
2. Remove the shoelaces
In addition to removing dirt from the shoelaces themselves, you should remove them as they will get in the way when cleaning around the shoelace holes and the tongue.
If you soak the removed shoelaces in a cleaning solution made of water and cleaner, the dirt will float to the surface and become easier to remove.
To make the cleaning solution, simply add water to a container, pump 4-5 times the cleaner, and mix.
This will be done at the end of the cleaning process, so soak the shoelaces in the cleaning solution before proceeding to the next step.
3. Remove large stains by brushing
First, brush the surface without applying any liquid to remove any dust or other dirt on the surface.
By doing this,
- Improves foaming of cleaner
- Reduces the amount of cleaner used
To get the effects mentioned above, be sure to brush the entire hair evenly.
4. Use a sneaker eraser to tackle stubborn stains
If the suede has dark stains or badly soiled areas, it may not be possible to remove the stains completely by just brushing with a cleaner.
In such cases, try removing the marks first using a sneaker eraser.
For suede, we use the black color, which is specifically designed for brushed materials.
The key is to apply it gently and use it in circular motions.
The leather and midsole can be approached in white.
Blackening of the leather and scuff marks on the midsole can be dealt with by using the white on the opposite side.
The way to use it is the same as with the black one: gently apply it and move it around in a circular motion.
5. Wash with cleaner
Once the preliminary cleaning process is complete, we move on to the overall cleaning.
In this process, the way you apply the brush is important; the trick is to press lightly and use the tip of the brush to clean .
By the way, you can either put the cleaner directly on the sneakers or put it on a brush and then brush them.
Once you have washed it to a certain extent, wipe it thoroughly with a towel.
If any cleaner remains, it can cause yellowing, so be sure to remove as much as possible.
Once the upper part has been washed and wiped down, the same process is carried out on the midsole, then the outsole.
Cleaning the upper
Dunks are often made of delicate materials such as leather and suede, and over time the oils inside the leather can wear off, causing cracks and other deterioration. (Oils can wear off not only with age but also when cleaned.)
For such delicate materials, "Foam Cleaner Premium" is perfect as it moisturizes while washing.
This cleaner contains hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing ingredient, so it moisturizes leather materials and cleans them while preventing the loss of oil.
Cleaning the sole and tongue
- Rubber midsole and outsole
- Fabric material for shoe tongue, liner, etc.
For non-delicate materials such as those mentioned above, we recommend using a regular foam cleaner.
There is no problem with washing it with Premium, which has a moisturizing effect, but there is no point in moisturizing rubber or fabric, and it will just be a waste of Premium.
By using the right cleaner for the right purpose, you can clean your items in a way that is kind to your wallet.
6. Removing stains from fabrics
Typically, the tongues of Dunks are made of a cloth-based material, as shown in the image.
Stains that have adhered to fabric materials penetrate deep into the fibers, and are often difficult to completely remove with regular cleaning.
In such cases, we recommend using a special stain remover.
It's easy to apply the remover to the affected area and then wipe it off with a towel.
It can be used on any cloth material, not just shoe tongues, so it can be used to remove stains from stitching, shoe opening liners, and even clothes.
It's a surprisingly versatile item that can be used in a variety of ways, so it's a good idea to have one.
7. Remove yellowing from soles
Yellowing of the midsole is common, especially in older sneakers such as second-hand sneakers.
This yellowing is not dirt but discoloration caused by a chemical reaction in the rubber material , so it cannot be removed by normal cleaning.
However, by using a special yellowing remover, it is possible to restore the product to an almost perfectly clean condition, as shown in the image above. (The left side is after removal, and the right side is before removal. *A model that has been on the market for 20 years.)
For more details, we have explained the steps in a separate article, so if you are interested, please check it out.
8. Rub the soaked shoelaces to wash them.
Before starting the cleaning, wash the shoelaces that have been soaked in the cleaning solution.
Since the ingredients have already penetrated and the dirt has floated to the surface, it can be easily cleaned by simply rubbing it gently.
Once you have finished rubbing the entire item, remove it from the cleaning solution and wipe it with a towel to dehydrate it. Then dry it thoroughly in a well-ventilated, shady area before putting it back into your sneakers.
Generally, rinsing is not necessary, but if the item is very dirty with mud or other contaminants and the cleaning solution itself becomes cloudy, rinse it with fresh water before moving on to the spin-drying step.
Cleaning complete
This completes the cleaning procedure.
The basic cleaning steps were the same for both leather and suede, with the only difference being the approach I took with the sneaker eraser.
If you still notice any stains at the end, just repeat the steps that match the stain.
Dunk Aftercare Instructions
Once your sneakers have been cleaned and are in great condition, it's time to give them a little extra finishing touch.
Basically, if you want to add extra care, you need to do it first, so it's recommended that you do it at the same time as your cleaning to save time.
Further moisturizes the leather
When cleaning with Foam Cleaner Premium, the moisturizing ingredients help prevent the loss of oil from the leather.
However, by continuing to moisturize your skin from this point onwards, you can achieve the following condition.
- It keeps the leather moisturized and helps prevent cracking
- It can bring out the unique shine of leather.
- It gives the soft feel of a suede-like brushed material.
Since leather and other leather materials are delicate, we recommend taking the extra step of providing additional moisturization with Shoe Moisture Mist.
It's easy to use; just shake the Shoe Moisture Mist well and spray from about 15cm away.
Next, use a towel to press the mist into your skin to blend it in.
Once the mist has been absorbed, we move on to the final finishing process, but the procedures differ depending on whether the material is leather or brushed, so we use the appropriate method for each.
Leather: Polished with a shearling mitt
By polishing with soft wool, you can bring out the shine of the leather surface.
Suede: Use a brass brush to smooth out the nap
If you moisturize the brushed area with a mist and then brush it with a brass brush, you can lift up any fallen naps and soften the hairs.
This will restore the fluffy look that is characteristic of brushed materials, giving them a more elegant appearance.
Protects the heel of the sole
When you wear your favorite sneakers, the heel part of the sole inevitably wears down.
To prevent wear on the heel part of the sole, a special protective sticker called "HEEL PLUS3.0" made by KicksWrap is effective.
Here's how to use it.
First, wipe the area to be pasted with the included primer sheet to improve adhesion.
Peel off the protective film and stick it onto the sneakers, roughly matching the shape.
Once the protective sticker is in place, apply as much pressure as possible with your fingers to ensure it adheres firmly so that it does not come off.
If there is any excess material sticking out from the sneakers, just cut it off with scissors.
There is a risk that using a cutter may damage the main body, so we recommend using small sewing scissors or something similar to cut it.
The entire process from cleaning to aftercare described in this article is also explained on YouTube.
If you would like to check it out in video form, please check out the video below.
Frequently asked questions about how to wash Dunk
Can I wash the Dunk with water?
The requirement for washing sneakers in water is that the upper must be made entirely of fabric material.
In other words, most Dunks models are made of leather, so washing them with water is not recommended .
When leather materials such as leather and suede absorb water, the oils inside the leather are lost, leading to the following deterioration:
- Cracks
- Transform
- Hardening
Also, if the adhesive between the upper and midsole is water-soluble, not only will the adhesive strength decrease when washed with water, but the dissolved adhesive may adhere to the upper and cause stains.
For the reasons mentioned above, it is safe to clean them with a cleaner specifically for sneakers.
Can I soak the dunk in oxy?
This doesn't just apply to Dunks, but soaking sneakers in Oxy is a big no-no .
Not only will it definitely damage the leather material, but it could also melt the rubber used in the sole.
Some people have actually had the surface of their sneakers ruined by soaking them in Oxi, so you should never do this.
That seems like a lot of work...is there anywhere I can do it for me?
- I don't have time
- It's a hassle to gather all the tools
- The stains are so bad I don't have the confidence to clean them myself.
If that sounds like you, leave it to KicksWrap.
Our professional sneaker staff will use their extensive knowledge and specialized tools to clean your sneakers responsibly.
In addition to cleaning, we also offer services such as applying protective stickers to the soles, so please feel free to contact us if you are interested.
