How to make your sneakers last longer – cleaning, odor removal, and care
Sneakers are often the shoes we wear the most and a natural part of everyday life – and oddly enough, perhaps also the ones we think least about how to care for them.
When they start to look worn or smell, many people think they are beyond saving. But in many cases, it's not about age, but about moisture, dirt, and how the shoes are cared for between uses.
With a few simple routines, you can make your sneakers last significantly longer.
Why do sneakers wear out and start to smell?
Moisture is one of the biggest causes of both wear and odor in sneakers. When we wear shoes, heat and moisture are generated from our feet, and if the shoes don't dry properly, the moisture remains in the material. Over time, this can affect textiles, foam, soles, and glue, causing the shoes to break down faster and lose both shape and comfort.
Moisture also creates an environment where bad bacteria thrive. It's not the moisture itself that smells, but bacteria that break down organic residue from the skin. When shoes don't have time to dry between uses, bacteria have better conditions to grow, leading to bad odors.
Therefore, the most important thing to make sneakers last a long time is often not how to wash them, but how to care for them between uses.
How to clean sneakers correctly
When sneakers get dirty, it's best to clean them by hand, not in a washing machine. Use a cleaning kit specifically designed for sneakers instead of various home remedies. Home remedies like vinegar and baking soda can sometimes be too harsh on materials and cause damage instead. A sneaker cleaning kit is an investment of a few hundred kronor that lasts a long time and is worth every penny.
Cleaning kits usually contain a cleaner adapted for the material and brushes of different hardness. A softer brush is used for the upper part of the shoe and a harder brush for the rubber sole and midsole. This allows you to clean the shoes effectively without unnecessary wear on the material. Regular, gentle cleaning prevents dirt from breaking down the material as quickly.
Do not wash sneakers in a washing machine
Many people wash sneakers in the washing machine, but this can significantly shorten the lifespan of the shoes. In the washing machine, shoes are exposed to a lot of water, heat, and mechanical movement, which can cause:
- glue to come undone
- materials to deform
- stitching to be affected
- soles to detach
It is always better to clean sneakers by hand and spot-treat dirt and stains rather than washing the entire shoe.
How to remove odor from sneakers?
Sneakers that start to smell are one of the most common problems that almost everyone experiences sooner or later. The odor is caused by moisture, which creates an environment where bad bacteria can grow.
Therefore, do the following:
- First, air out the shoes, this prevents bacteria from growing.
- Let them dry thoroughly.
- Spot-treat the odor by neutralizing the source instead of washing the entire shoe.
Pure Effect Textile Spray can be used inside the shoe to break down the source of the odor between uses. If possible, remove insoles and spray both them and the inside of the shoes - make sure to cover all odorous surfaces. Wait and let good bacteria in the spray fight the odor-producing bacteria. Repeat as needed. You can spray the shoes when they are already damp (e.g., sweaty), as the spray works best in a moist environment.
The spray can also be used to spot-treat organic stains such as wine, coffee, and blood stains on shoes. Read more about which materials and stains it works on here.
Use shoe trees – absorbs moisture and maintains shape
Wooden shoe trees are one of the best investments you can make if you use sneakers often.
Shoe trees help to:
- absorb moisture from inside the shoe
- reduce odor
- maintain shape
- reduce creases on the upper
Use insoles – reduces moisture, odor, and wear
A life hack to both increase comfort and extend the life of sneakers is to use insoles. For those who wear sneakers barefoot, an insole made of terry cloth, for example, can make a big difference. It makes the shoe airier for the foot and absorbs moisture, so the moisture collects in the insole instead of in the shoe itself. The insole can then be removed, aired out, or replaced, which is significantly better than having the moisture remain in the shoe.
There are also insoles designed to increase comfort, such as foam insoles that make flatter sneakers more comfortable to walk in for longer days. This way, you can both increase comfort and reduce wear on the shoe itself.
Rotate your sneakers
If you wear the same pair of sneakers every day, they never get to dry properly and therefore wear out faster. Try to rotate between at least two pairs, preferably three during a season. This allows the shoes to dry, recover, and hold their shape better.
A simple but effective way to make them last longer.
Impregnate sneakers regularly
An impregnation spray makes the surface more water and dirt repellent, which makes the shoes easier to keep clean and protects against rain. Especially important for suede and nubuck sneakers, which are more sensitive to moisture. Most impregnation sprays on the market also work on different materials, which means you can use the same spray to protect sneakers, jackets, and caps.
A common mistake is to only impregnate once. The impregnation acts as a protective layer that wears off when the shoes are used and therefore needs to be repeated regularly for the protection to continue working. If you wear the shoes every day, it might be a good idea to impregnate them once a month.
Change shoelaces – a simple way to make sneakers look new again
A simple way to freshen up sneakers is to change the shoelaces. Although it is possible to wash shoelaces in a washing machine, it can be difficult to remove all the dirt. Replacing them can make a particularly big difference on white sneakers, where laces often get discolored faster than the shoe itself. New laces can make a pair of sneakers feel significantly fresher without you actually having to do anything else.
Store sneakers correctly
Last but not least, how you store your sneakers also affects how long they last.
Try to:
- store them in a dark and cool place (UV light can lead to oxidation, which is when shoes get a yellowish discoloration)
- avoid sealing them in tight plastic boxes or bags
- use shoe trees when you're not wearing them
Summary
Sneakers rarely wear out just from being used – they wear out from moisture, dirt, and are affected by how we care for them between uses. With proper care, less washing, and a few simple routines, a pair of sneakers can last significantly longer than you might think.
If you want to remove odor and freshen up sneakers between uses, you can read more about Pure Effect Textile Spray here..
Frequently asked questions about sneakers
Can you wash sneakers in a washing machine?
It is not recommended as glue, material, and shape can be affected. It's always better to wash by hand.
How do you remove odor from sneakers?
Air out the shoes, let them dry thoroughly, and treat the inside with Pure Effect Textile Spray to neutralize the source of the odor.
Why should you use shoe trees in sneakers?
Shoe trees absorb moisture, reduce odor, and help the shoes maintain their shape.
How often should you impregnate sneakers?
Impregnation wears off with use and should therefore be repeated regularly depending on how often you wear your shoes.
Why should you rotate sneakers?
Shoes need time to dry between uses, otherwise they wear out faster and start to smell more easily.
