Give Smelly Sneakers the Boot

You’ve had the time of your life this summer wearing flip-flops and sandals, but now it’s time to get back to business with your sneakers. Upon retrieving them from storage, you notice that your once-sparkling sneakers have a slightly darker color to them. They are a bit more gray or brown than you remember, and the once bright colors have dulled.

Just throw them in the wash, right? This can actually do more harm than good. Most wash and drying cycles are too harsh on your shoes - especially when those shoes have high-quality orthotics. The best thing to revive your shoes is to follow these 5 easy steps to squeaky clean sneakers:

Step 1: Designate an area to work in. Tap the soles of your shoes together to help dislodge excess dirt and debris. Using a soft-bristled brush, rub off the remaining dirt.

Step 2: Mix a small amount of fabric-friendly detergent in some warm water and wet a small washcloth. Use this washcloth to wipe away surface stains.

Step 3: Rinse the washcloth to get the soap and excess dirt out of it. Dip the soft-bristled brush into the clean, soapy water and gently scrub the edges and fabric.

Step 4: Set your shoes out to dry in a well-ventilated area. Any air blowing directly on your shoes should be room temperature - higher temperatures can warp your shoes.

Step 5: While your shoes are drying, remove the insoles (if possible) and the shoelaces. Place them into a washer-safe mesh bag and wash them in a load of laundry on cold/delicate mode.

There you have it - your shoes may not be brand new again, but they’re cleaner, brighter, and smell remarkably better now! Regularly cleaning your sneakers every few months can help avoid higher instances of developing infections or athlete’s foot.

Got questions? Call Andrew Shapiro, DPM , Michael Barkin, DPM, Sajni Shah, DPM at Valley Stream Podiatry today (516) 825-3860 . We’re conveniently located In Valley Stream, NY.

Contact us today regarding your foot & ankle needs and to schedule an appointment with one of our award-winning Long Island Podiatrists.