How to wash Vans sneakers | Different methods and necessary items for different materials

Vans sneakers are popular among a wide range of people because they have many excellent features, such as their simple appearance, durable fabric, price, and wide range of sales channels.

However, due to the characteristics of the materials used, dirt tends to accumulate easily and becomes very noticeable.

Furthermore, some models are made of delicate materials, which makes cleaning them a little different, which can be confusing for those with no experience.

In this article, we will explain step by step how to wash Vans sneakers.

This article not only covers the model we cleaned this time, but also the procedures for other materials used in Vans, so be sure to use it as a reference if you are planning to clean your Vans in the future.

Main materials that make up buns

VANS sneakers come in a variety of models, but the basic materials used are generally the following three:

Most are made of canvas and suede, and natural leather is not very familiar, but it is used in some leather models.

We will explain the characteristics of each material.

canvas

A material made of thick cloth such as cotton or polyester.

This material is used in most models of Vans sneakers.

Because it is made of cloth, it is flexible and strong, but it is not very waterproof.

suede

A material made by brushing the reverse side of natural leather.

Because it is made from natural leather, it is soft and has a luxurious brushed appearance, but it has the disadvantage that dirt can easily get into the deep nap and the nap can flatten over time.

It is used on the toe and heel of the Old School and the upper of the Half Cab.

Natural Leather

Since it is only used on certain models, you may not be familiar with VANS, but there are models that use natural leather.

It is a material that has excellent durability, breathability, elasticity, etc., and allows you to enjoy the unique texture of leather.

However, due to its delicate nature, regular maintenance is essential.

How to wash Vans sneakers

The model used for cleaning this time is the "WTAPS × VANS OG ERA LX", and the entire upper is made of suede.

When cleaning suede, the procedures and items required are slightly different from those used for cleaning sneakers made from the mainstream synthetic leather material, so be sure to pay attention to this as well.

[By the way] The basic washing method is the same for both Old School and Authentic.

This article covers cleaning Vans' Era shoes, but the basic cleaning procedures and items are the same for other models such as the Old Skool and Authentic, as well as the Skechers and Half Cab.

As mentioned earlier, the cleaning method will vary depending on the material the sneakers are made of.

However, it's not a drastic change, with only slight differences in key areas, so it's okay to think of the basic procedures and items as being the same.

Now let's move on to the actual cleaning steps.

Inserting shoe trees

First, start by inserting the shoe tree.

Shoe trees have the following two effects.

1. Removes creases from wearing
2. The upper has the right amount of tension, making it easier for the brush to hit the ball.

When cleaning sneakers with a fine brush, both of these are important elements, so be sure to use a shoe tree that fits well.

Remove the laces and soak them in cleaning solution

Remove the shoelaces beforehand not only because they will get in the way when you brush the tongue, but also to remove any dirt that has accumulated on the shoelaces themselves.

Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing water and cleaner in a small container and soaking the removed shoelaces in it. (As a guideline, use about 5 pumps of cleaner.)

In particular, Vans shoelaces are often made of cotton and dirt easily seeps in, so soaking them is very effective.

While the sneakers are soaking in the cleaning solution, you can start cleaning the sneakers themselves.

Brushing without applying anything

First, brush the entire surface with a dry brush without using any cleaners.

The following functions are useful for removing large amounts of dust and dirt from surfaces:

• Improves foaming of cleaner
• Saves on cleaner usage

Both of these methods will play a major role in the subsequent cleaning process, so don't be lazy and make sure to thoroughly dry brush the entire surface.

Remove stubborn stains with a sneaker eraser

Use a Utility Eraser, which is an eraser designed for sneakers, to remove stubborn surface stains that may not come off with just a brush.

The key to using it is to lightly touch it and move it in a small motion, drawing a small edge.

Since the material used this time is suede, we used the "black" side, which is designed for brushed materials, but the "white" side can be used for leather or canvas.

Cleaning with sneaker cleaner

Now that the pre-wash process is complete, we'll proceed with cleaning using sneaker cleaner.

One tip here is to use different cleaners for different materials.

There is no single type of cleaner that is particularly problematic.

However, by using different cleaners, you can simultaneously care for delicate materials like suede and also save on the need for special cleaners.

[Brushed part] Use foam cleaner premium for leather materials

Over time, brushed and leather materials lose their oils and become dry, causing deterioration such as cracks .

Therefore, we recommend using Premium Foam Cleaner to clean suede materials such as the toe and heel parts of the Old School and Half Cab.

Foam Cleaner Premium contains 3% hyaluronic acid, which penetrates into the leather and moisturizes it, making it possible to clean delicate materials while keeping them moisturized.

[Canvas sole] Use normal foam cleaner

Use your regular cleaner to clean canvas materials like gills and slip-ons, as well as midsoles and outsoles.

After using the cleaner and washing with a brush, be sure to wipe it off thoroughly with an absorbent towel, as any detergent left behind can cause yellowing and other problems .

A metal brush is great for removing stubborn stains from the midsole.

The midsole is made of rubber, so it is prone to getting dirty due to rubbing.

The brushes used on the upper are soft, like boar bristles, so it is often difficult to completely remove all scuff marks.

In such cases, the brass brush attached to the utility brush is effective.

Because it is a soft metal, it will not damage the target, and its strong scraping ability makes it easy to remove stubborn scuff marks.

Rub the shoelaces with cleaning solution

Once you've finished cleaning the sneakers themselves, wash the shoelaces that you soaked in the cleaning solution first.

Soaking allows the cleaning ingredients to soak in and the dirt to float, so you can clean it by simply rubbing it lightly.

Once you're done washing them, rinse them and dry them thoroughly before putting them back in your sneakers.

Removes dirt from embroidery and stitching

Stains that have penetrated deep into the fibers of the thread used in the embroidery and stitching are difficult to remove even with a brush and cleaner.

In such cases, you can use a stain remover, a special powerful remover that will easily remove dirt deep within the fibers.

It can also be used to remove food stains from clothes, making it a useful item to have on hand.

Stain remover can also be used to remove stains from white canvas fabric.

Of course, it can also be used on canvas fabrics such as Ella and slip-ons.

In particular, using a stain remover is effective on white canvas, as the nature of the material means that dirt tends to accumulate and becomes very noticeable.

Vans sneakers aftercare

To maintain the cleanliness of the dry-cleaned item and to bring back the nap of the suede, it's a good idea to add one last step.

The above two are recommended aftercare methods for Vans sneakers.

The suede part regains its brushed texture through moisturizing.

I used Foam Cleaner Premium to moisturize while cleaning, You can further moisturize your skin by using an item called Shoe Moisture Mist.

This is an essential aftercare step for delicate materials like suede, as it helps prevent the leather from drying out, brings out its shine, and restores its brushed texture.

It's easy to use,

The usage is as above.

This will moisturize the nap and also revive any nap that may have become flat.

Waterproof spray to protect against rain and dirt

Canvas is a material that is often used in Vans sneakers, and although it is strong, it has poor waterproof performance.

Waterproof spray can of course prepare you for sudden rain, but it also has a stain-resistant effect, making it harder for dirt to stick to your clothes.

To reduce the effort required to remove stubborn stains when cleaning, be sure to use a waterproof spray.

Frequently asked questions about how to wash buns

Can I wash it with water?

Generally speaking, when it comes to washing sneakers, if they are made entirely of cloth materials such as mesh or canvas, you can wash them completely.

Models that are made only of canvas, such as Ella and Slip-ons, can be washed in water.

However, like old school This is a big no-no for models that contain suede .

When leather materials such as suede absorb water, the oils inside the leather are leaked out along with the moisture, leading to the following types of deterioration:

This also applies to canvas models: if you are not careful about the water temperature and washing method, the adhesive used in the midsole may melt and stain the upper.

For the reasons mentioned above, even if the shoe is a model that can be washed with water, it is safe to clean it with a detergent specifically for sneakers unless the inside of the shoe is extremely covered in mud.

Can I soak it in Oxygen?

It is absolutely not advisable to soak your sneakers in oxy , as the rubber soles may dissolve.

The midsoles and outsoles of Vans sneakers are made of rubber, so of course they can melt.

Some people have actually soaked their sneakers in Oxi and had the surfaces become worn or melted, so you should never do this.

I'm not confident that I can completely clean it myself! Is there anywhere that can do it for me?

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.

We also provide protection for the outsoles to prevent wear, so if you are interested, please contact us.

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