Keep your trainers looking fresh for longer

There’s something so delightful about buying new trainers – lifting the lid of the shoebox and parting the tissue paper to reveal a pristine pair of sneakers.

What’s not so enjoyable is when your fresh kicks rapidly turn from spotless to spoiled.

Here, experts share their top tips for looking after your trainers...

Use protection

“Always spray your shoes with a shoe protector,” says Derek Morrison, general manager EMEA at sneaker specialists StockX (stockx.com).

Natasha Seal-Jones, cleaning expert from Cherry Blossom (cherryblossom. co.uk) agrees with the importance of a protector spray. By spritzing on the fabric an “invisible protective barrier is put in place, meaning liquid will run off your shoes instead of staining them”, she says.

Store them securely

If you want black or brightly coloured trainers to retain their vivid hue, Derek advises: “Store them in a cool, dark place to avoid sun damage, and use shrink wrap (cling film) to keep dust and humidity away.”

Treat stains separately

“Acting fast to soak up the stain with kitchen paper or rinsing straight away will help,” says Natasha. “The most important thing to avoid is letting the spillage or dirt sit on your footwear, as the longer you leave it, the more ingrained in the fibres it will get.”

Next, get to work with a stain remover that’s suitable for the fabric. Lisa Kay, founder of footwear brand Sole Bliss (solebliss.com) says: “If you have any super tough stains, you should scrub them first with a stain remover or

bicarbonate of soda.”

Pop them in the washing machine

“If your shoes are made of fabric or canvas, you can put them in the washing machine on a quick, cold cycle at a low spin – I would recommend 30 degrees with a spin of 700 or lower,” says Lisa. Remove laces and pop them in a net washing bag to ensure they’re thoroughly cleaned and don’t get lost in the machine.

However, not all shoes can withstand a spin cycle. “If your trainers are made of leather or suede, you should avoid putting them in the washing machine,” she warns.

Make your own cleaning solution

To treat leather, lisa recommends: “Make your own by mixing two parts white vinegar with one part olive oil.”

Whether homemade or shop-bought, be careful before washing new shoes. “We always recommend patch-testing your cleaner at the back of the shoe before applying all over,” Lisa adds.

Try a whitener

White leather trainers like Adidas Stan Smiths or Veja Campos need special attention to keep them looking immaculate. “Dish soap, baking soda, and diluted white vinegar are household items to have handy, but really, it’s best to have a specialist shoe cleaner on hand,” says Natasha. “If the colour of your white leather has faded or even yellowed, specialist shoe whiteners tend to be your best friend, because they add colour back onto the affected areas.”