Have you had your favorite sneakers for a few years and noticed that the soles have started to yellow?
If you have old-looking sneakers, you can even enjoy the yellowing as a part of their character.
However, many people would like to remove the yellowing if possible.
So, this time I will explain how to remove yellowing from the soles of sneakers.
Also, learn the causes of yellowing and take the right measures to protect your sneakers from yellowing.
What causes sneaker soles to turn yellow?
- Deterioration of the material that makes up the sole
- The effects of detergents and chemicals used in cleaning
- Poor state of preservation
There are many reasons why soles turn yellow, but the three most common are listed above.
Deterioration of the material that makes up the sole
Sneaker soles are generally made of synthetic resin materials such as rubber or EVA.
By its very nature, synthetic resins oxidize and turn yellow when exposed to oxygen or moisture in the air.
In addition, ultraviolet rays (sunlight and lighting) also cause chemical changes in the structure of synthetic resins, accelerating oxidation.
Most of the yellowing of the sole is caused by oxidation as mentioned above .
The effects of detergents and chemicals used in cleaning
Most detergents, including shoe detergents, are alkaline in nature.
Alkaline substances have the tendency to discolor when exposed to ultraviolet rays, so if you do not rinse or wipe the sneakers thoroughly after cleaning, they can cause yellowing.
Also, when using bleach, which is often used for soaking washes, using ingredients that are too strong can damage the material itself and cause the yellowing to progress.
Poorly preserved
- Left at the entrance
- Still in the box from the time of purchase
The entranceway is prone to accumulating moisture, and in some places it is exposed to sunlight, which can cause the yellowing to progress.
Also, it's not a good idea to just put them in the sneaker box.
At first glance, it may seem like a good idea to block UV rays, but sneaker boxes and wrapping paper are made from recycled paper, and you should be aware that the components contained in recycled paper cause yellowing .
How to remove yellowing from sneaker soles
The approach will vary depending on the degree of yellowing, so here we will introduce two patterns.
Choose the one that suits you best depending on how yellowed your sneakers are.
(Very slight yellowing) How to clean using cleaning products
If the yellowing is simply caused by oil or other dirt accumulating on the surface, there are two possible ways to remove it:
- Cleaning with a brush and cleaner
- Polishing with an eraser or brass brush (soft metal)
Cleaning is essential as the first step in the process of removing severe yellowing, which will be described later, so you may want to try removing it using the method above while checking the degree of yellowing.
(Mild to severe yellowing) How to remove using chemicals
When yellowing occurs due to oxidation, the sole itself has discolored due to a chemical reaction, so it cannot be removed by normal cleaning or surface polishing alone.
The product we use is KicksWrap's "Yellow Remover," a chemical specifically designed to remove yellowing from sneakers.
The chemical ingredients react with the yellowing ingredients to remove the yellowing.
The steps are as follows:
- Prepare the necessary items
- Cleaning sneakers
- Use masking tape to protect everything except the sole
- Spread the chemicals on the yellowed sole with a brush
- Cover with plastic wrap
- Place in direct sunlight for 4 to 6 hours
- Remove the wrap and rinse off the solvent.
We will introduce the steps along with actual work scenes.
① Prepare the necessary items
- Yellow Remover
- Brush
- Masking tape
- wrap
Prepare the above four items.
The bristles of brushes will quickly become damaged due to chemical ingredients, so a cheap one is fine.
② Cleaning sneakers
First, clean your sneakers to prevent the chemical ingredients from being inhibited by dirt or other factors.
Washing with water alone will not remove the oil, so be sure to wash thoroughly with sneaker cleaner or similar.
3. Protect everything except the sole with masking tape
Depending on the material, the upper part (the non-rubber part on the sole) may be damaged by the chemicals, so we mask all areas where we do not want to apply chemicals.
To prevent chemicals from getting in through any gaps, be sure to apply masking tape to the joints where the sole joins.
4. Apply the chemical to the yellowed sole with a brush.
Spread the chemical over the sole.
You can apply the chemicals with a brush as shown in the photo, or you can drip the chemicals directly onto the sole and spread it with a brush.
If there are any areas where the chemical has not been applied sufficiently, the reaction may be weaker in those areas, so be sure to spread the chemical evenly.
⑤ Cover with plastic wrap
Once the chemical is evenly applied, cover the sneakers with plastic wrap.
The key is to remove any air bubbles that may have gotten into the wrap so that the chemical can adhere to the yellowed area.
⑥ Place in direct sunlight for 4 to 6 hours
In the photo, a UV light was used, but since ultraviolet light is the key to causing the chemical reactions, direct sunlight is also fine.
To ensure sufficient sunlight, the best time is between 10am and 4pm on a sunny day.
⑦Remove the wrap and rinse off the solvent.
After leaving it in direct sunlight for a while, remove the plastic wrap and wash off the chemicals.
This time, it's only the sole part, so it's no problem if you pour lots of water on it from the tap.
Be sure to rinse thoroughly so that no chemicals remain .
Having a brush like the one in the photo is useful for removing any remaining chemicals from small areas.
If the yellowing is not completely removed in one go, repeat steps 3 to 7.
We've also included a video explaining the process, including detailed points to note, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out.
How to prevent sneaker soles from yellowing
Due to the nature of the sole material, it is difficult to completely prevent yellowing, but it is possible to slow down the progression of the yellowing by taking the right measures.
If you leave it untreated, even if you have successfully removed the yellowing, the soles will start to yellow again.
Protects sneakers from UV rays and moisture
Protect your sneakers from UV rays and moisture, which are the main causes of yellowing.
UV rays come from direct sunlight as well as indoor lighting.
The following method is recommended for storing your shoes when not wearing them.
- Wrapping with UV-cut film
- Put it back in the sneaker box
Either way, don't forget to put a desiccant inside your sneakers to prevent moisture.
When returning your sneakers to their box, we recommend placing them in a KicksWrap Shoes Bag before returning them to the box, as contact with recycled paper can also cause yellowing.
Do the right maintenance
- When using a cleaner, wipe it off thoroughly to ensure no residue remains.
- When drying, do not dry in the sun
As mentioned above, most cleaners are alkaline.
Since it has the tendency to discolor when exposed to ultraviolet rays, be sure to wipe it thoroughly with an absorbent cloth to remove any remaining cleaner.
When drying sneakers that have gotten wet in the rain or after being dry cleaned, it is not recommended to dry them in the sun as this will cause the yellowing to progress.
The golden rule is to dry it in a well-ventilated, shady area .
Frequently asked questions about removing yellowing from sneakers
Is it possible to completely prevent yellowing?
The rubber and EVA soles are made of tend to turn yellow not only from ultraviolet rays but also from moisture.
No matter what precautions you take, it cannot be "completely" prevented because it comes into contact with air.
However, it is possible to slow down the progression by taking proper measures against UV rays and moisture.
Is there anywhere that can remove the yellowing for me?
- There is a lot to prepare
- The time for the UV exposure process is limited, and it can't be done if the weather is bad.
- It takes time and effort and is troublesome
Some of you may have felt the same way after seeing how to use Yellow Remover that we introduced this time.
KicksWrap also offers online service for removing yellowing.
Our staff are sneaker professionals who will take responsibility for the maintenance of your shoes, so please consider us if you would like to "leave everything to us."
summary
In this article, we have explained how to remove yellowing from sneakers, as well as the causes and countermeasures.
Once the soles have turned yellow, in most cases the yellowing cannot be removed by cleaning alone.
However, it can be removed using special chemicals.
Yellowing can greatly change the impression of sneakers, for better or worse, so if you want to remove yellowing, try using a method that uses special chemicals.
