How to clean knit sneakers
The particularity of sneakers is that they are rarely made of a single material.
For other cleaning tutorials, go here.
What you need to know when cleaning knit sneakers
"Knit" is a durable material that looks and feels like a sock. Light and breathable like mesh, it has the particularity of being very elastic which allows it to follow the shape of the foot and provide more comfort than other materials. The vast majority of sneakers are made from multiple parts and materials. Their manufacturing process creates a significant amount of waste: every time a material is cut, an entire part of it is often thrown away. Thanks to its innovative low-waste manufacturing, this material allows sneakers to be more environmentally friendly and recyclable.
Being a porous material, stains can be absorbed by its lower membranes and be difficult to remove. This is why it is important to clean it quickly to avoid any permanent marks. Due to its structure, this material is very sensitive to abrasion and can fray easily. For this reason, the hard brush should not be used.
Note that white knit tends to turn grayish or yellow over time. However, there is a solution presented below.
How to clean knit sneakers in 6 easy steps
1. PREPARE
2. DUST OFF
3. CLEAN THE LACES
4. CLEAN THE SOLE
5. CLEAN THE LEATHER
6. DRY
1. Prepare the elements of the kit as well as a bowl of warm water and a towel if necessary. Shake the cleaner.
In addition to the Bascket products and a bowl of warm water, it is recommended that you use a towel to protect the surface on which you will be cleaning the shoes. Shake the bottle to mix the cleaner.
2. Dry-brush the shoes.
Remove excess dirt by brushing the shoe with the soft brush.
If you are dealing with mud, remove it as mush as possible. This will prevent the mud residue from getting wet and complicate the cleaning process.
3. Remove the laces and soak them in water. Rub them between your hands with a combination of water and cleaning solution.
This step is not mandatory but it is highly recommended to remove the laces to clean them thoroughly and to have access to the dirt that settles the tongue.
If they are slightly dirty, spray a liberal amount of solution directly onto the laces. Then rub them with water as if you were washing your hands. Rinse, wring out and dry the laces.
If they need more work, unscrew the spray cap and pour a small amount of solution on the laces. Rub them with water for a few seconds between your hands until foam appears. Soak them for 10 minutes in hot water. Rub them with the cleaning solution and soak them again for a few minutes. Repeat if necessary. Then rinse, wring out and dry the laces.
4. Spray the solution on the sole and leave it on for a few seconds. Dip the hard brush into the bowl of water and scrub without putting pressure. Then wipe off.
Spray the solution from a distance of 5 cm on the sole and let it work for a few seconds. Dip the brush into the bowl of water and scrub the sole in a straight motion. Don't force the movement, let the bristles of the brush do the work. Wipe with the microfiber or the towel.
If stains remain, spray more solution and leave for longer. Scrub again with hot water. If necessary, wrap the microfiber cloth around your index finger, dampen it and apply a small amount of solution. Then rub vigorously.
5. Spray the solution on the knit and leave it on for a few seconds. Dip the soft brush into the bowl of water and scrub gently. Then wipe off.
If the water is dirty, replace it.
Spray the solution onto the knit from a distance of 5 cm and leave it on for a few seconds. Dip the soft brush into the bowl of water and brush in a circular motion. Don't force the movement, let the bristles of the brush do the work. Wipe with the microfiber or the towel.
If stains remain, spray more solution and let it sit longer. Brush again with hot water. If necessary, use the stiff brush gently. Be careful not to damage the knit. You can also wrap the microfiber around your index finger, dampen it and apply a small amount of solution. Then rub vigorously.
Cleaning tips for knit sneakers
Due to its porous properties, you may need more water and product than for leather or suede
Stains can settle deep into the fibers of the knit. If this is the case, more water and product will be needed than for other less porous materials such as leather.
Use hot water for stubborn stains
Hot water tends to remove stubborn stains from fibers more easily than cold water. In addition, hot water has the ability to disinfect and deodorize the material. Be aware of certain types of stains that hot water can set (e.g. mud stains).
Use the soft brush and the microfiber cloth
As a last resort, to remove remaining stubborn stains, use the microfiber or the hard brush in a straight motion and in one direction only. Do this gently to avoid damaging the knit structure.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse the mesh with cold water. Be sure to remove as much of the remaining cleaning solution as possible. This important step will allow the material to dry properly and avoid drying stains.
6. Blot with the microfiber or a towel. Leave to air dry.
Wipe clean. Place a cloth in the shoes, this will help them keep their shape while drying and speed up the process. Let them air dry. Avoid the dryer or heat sources such as radiators. Relace the shoes once they are dry.
Cleaning tips for knit sneakers
Place a cloth inside the shoes while they dry
This allows the shoes to keep their original shape, while helping with the drying process.
Dry properly
Wiping as much water as possible from the material will avoid any risk of water stains or discoloration after drying.
If a water stain appears, brush it lightly with a little clear water.
Whitening a grayish knit
To be used on white knit only.
Besides discoloring, white knit inevitably becomes duller over time. To whiten a grayish knit, mix a dose of baking soda or white vinegar with hot water (⅓ of vinegar or baking soda to ⅔ of water). Soak the material thoroughly with the mixture and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. Then wipe clean.
Restoring a frayed knit
IIf you had no choice but to use the hard brush to remove stubborn stains, the knit may have become slightly frayed. When the material is dry, you can restore its original texture by removing the frayed fibers with a trimmer, or if you have patience... with a pair of scissors.
Need help?
Send an email to hello@shopbascket.com and I will come back to you as soon as possible.
