Maintenance
Sneakers Maintenance - Elephand.shoes
A guide to proper maintenance and cleaning of premium sneakers. Over 1000 satisfied Elephand.shoes customers use these instructions to maintain Nike, Yeezy, UGG, Jordan, Golden Goose and Off-White sneakers. Extend the life of your sneakers with proper care.
Basic Maintenance Rules
NEVER wash sneakers in the machine - It damages the materials and glue
Avoid direct sunlight - It fades colors and damages materials.
Air dry - Never a dryer or radiator
Clean regularly - It's easier to maintain than to deep clean
Use the right products - Each material requires specific cleaners
Nike Sneakers - Maintenance
Nike Air Force 1 - Leather Cleaning
Materials: Premium leather upper, rubber sole
Tools: Leather cleaner, soft cloth, toothbrush, magic sponge
Step 1: Remove the laces and wash them by hand
Step 2: Remove dust and dirt with a dry brush
Step 3: Apply leather cleaner to a cloth and wipe the leather parts.
Step 4: Clean the white parts with baking soda paste or a magic sponge
Step 5: Rubber sole with a toothbrush and soapy water
Step 6: Wipe with a damp cloth and let air dry
Maintaining white color: Regular cleaning after each wear. Baking soda + water paste for deep cleaning.
Nike Dunk - Leather & Suede
Leather parts: Same process as Air Force 1
Suede parts: Suede brush, suede cleaner, suede protector spray
Suede cleaning:
1. Brush in one direction with a dry suede brush.
2. Use a suede eraser for stains
3. Deeper stains: suede cleaner + suede brush
4. After cleaning: suede protector spray
Nike Air Max - Mesh & Leather
Mesh upper: Soft brush + mild detergent + water
Leather parts: Leather cleaner
Air unit: Damp cloth, avoid harsh chemicals
Rubber sole: Toothbrush + soap
Air Jordan Sneakers - Maintenance
Air Jordan 1 - Leather Care
Premium leather: Leather cleaner + leather conditioner
Patent leather (if any): Microfiber cloth, avoid abrasive cleaners
Nubuck: Nubuck brush + nubuck cleaner
Procedure:
1. Remove the laces
2. Leather cleaner for all leather parts
3. Wipe patent leather with a microfiber cloth.
4. Rubber sole with brush
5. Leather conditioner to maintain the softness of the skin
Air Jordan 4 - Nubuck & Mesh
Nubuck material: Nubuck brush, nubuck cleaner, nubuck protector
Mesh panels: Soft brush + mild detergent
Plastic details: Damp cloth
Nubuck maintenance:
1. Brush regularly with a nubuck brush
2. For stains: nubuck cleaner
3. After cleaning: nubuck protector spray
4. Never use water directly on nubuck
Air Jordan 11 - Patent Leather
Patent leather: Microfiber cloth + patent leather cleaner
Mesh: Soft brush + mild detergent
Carbon fiber: Dry wipe only
Patent leather shine: Wipe regularly with a microfiber cloth. For deep cleaning, use a specialized patent leather cleaner.
Yeezy Sneakers - Maintenance
Yeezy Boost 350 V2 - Primeknit Cleaning
Primeknit upper: Soft brush, mild detergent, water
Boost sole: Magic sponge or baking soda paste
NEVER machine: Primeknit can be damaged
Procedure:
1. Remove the laces and wash them by hand
2. Make a mixture: mild detergent + lukewarm water
3. Apply the mixture to the Primeknit with a soft brush.
4. Brush gently in circular motions
5. Clean the Boost sole with a magic sponge or baking soda paste
6. Wipe with a damp cloth
7. Air dry, stuffed with newspaper
Customer Tip: Clean your Yeezy 350 after every 3-4 wears. Primeknit absorbs dirt quickly.
Yeezy 700 - Multi-Material
Mesh parts: Soft brush + detergent
Suede parts: Suede brush + suede cleaner
Leather parts: Leather cleaner
Boost sole: Magic sponge
Procedure: Clean each material separately with the appropriate product. Never use the same cleaner for all materials.
Yeezy Slides & Foam Runner
EVA foam material: Easiest to maintain
Cleaning: Water + soap + soft brush
Deep cleaning: Soak in water with detergent, brush, rinse
Drying: Air dry quickly
UGG Boots - Maintenance
UGG Classic Mini & Ultra Mini - Sheepskin Care
Materials: Twin-face sheepskin (brushed leather + wool), UGG cleaner, UGG brush, water & stain repellent
BEFORE FIRST WEAR:
1. Buy UGG water & stain repellent spray
2. Spray the entire boots evenly
3. Let them dry for 24 hours
4. Repeat once more
Why: Prevents stains and makes cleaning easier
REGULAR CLEANING:
1. Brush in one direction with a dry UGG brush
2. Removes surface dirt and refreshes wool
3. Work after each wear
DEEP CLEANING:
1. Wet the surface with cold water (do not submerge)
2. Apply UGG cleaner to a damp sponge.
3. Brush gently in circular motions
4. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove the cleaner
5. Stuffed with newspaper to retain shape
6. Air dry AWAY from heat sources
7. When they are almost dry, brush with the UGG Wool Refresher Brush
NEVER:
- Do not machine wash.
- Don't use hot water.
- Do not dry on a radiator or in the sun.
- Do not use regular cleaners (UGG products only)
STAIN ON UGG:
- Wipe immediately with a damp cloth
- For grease stains: sprinkle with cornstarch, leave overnight, brush
- For salt stains (in winter): vinegar water (1:1) + cloth
UGG Tasman Slippers
Same procedure as Classic Mini
Rubber sole: Washable with soap and water
Golden Goose - Maintenance
Golden Goose Superstar - Distressed Finish
IMPORTANT: The distressed finish is INTENTIONAL - do not try to "fix" it or clean it too much
Philosophy: Golden Goose sneakers should look "worn" - it's part of the design
Cleaning:
1. Leather parts: leather cleaner, but gently
2. Suede parts: suede brush
3. Rubber sole: damp cloth
4. DO NOT use aggressive cleaners
5. DO NOT try to remove all stains - they are part of the patina
Tip: Golden Goose look better the “older” they are. Minimal cleaning is best.
Golden Goose Care
Dust bag: Keep in original dust bag
Shoe trees: Use to maintain shape
Avoid water: Distressed finish can be further damaged
Off-White Sneakers - Maintenance
Nike Dunk Off-White & Off-White x Nike
Leather parts: Leather cleaner
Suede parts: Suede brush + cleaner
Transparent parts: Microfiber cloth, avoid chemicals
Zip-tie tag: Keep it - don't throw it away!
Procedure:
1. Clean like standard Nike models
2. Transparent parts only with a microfiber cloth
3. Don't rub the texts too much - they can be erased
4. Clean the zip-tie tag with a damp cloth
Off-White Out of Office
Leather & suede combination: Clean each material separately
Arrow logo: Gently, avoid rubbing
Maintenance Products - What to Buy
Basic Set
For all sneakers:
- Soft brush
- Microfiber cloths (3-4 pieces)
- Old toothbrush
- Magic sponge
- Mild detergent
Leather Sneakers (Nike, Jordan)
- Leather cleaner (Jason Markk, Crep Protect, Reshoevn8r)
- Leather conditioner
- Baking soda (for white parts)
Suede/Nubuck (Jordan 4, Yeezy 700)
- Suede brush
- Suede cleaner
- Suede eraser
- Suede protector spray
UGG Boots
- UGG Cleaner & Conditioner
- UGG Brush
- UGG Water & Stain Repellent
Primeknit/Mesh (Yeezy 350, Air Max)
- Sneaker cleaner (Jason Markk, Crep Protect)
- Soft brush
- Magic sponge for Boost soles
Sneakers Storage
Short-Term Care (Daily)
Location: Dry, airy place
Avoid: Damp rooms, direct sunlight
Shoe trees: Use for premium models (Jordan, Golden Goose)
Original box: Best for storage
Long-term Storage (Seasonal)
Before storing: Deep clean your sneakers
Filling: Stuffed with newspapers or shoe trees
Box: Original box with ventilation holes
Silica gel: Place in a box to absorb moisture
Location: Dry, dark place, room temperature
UGG Summer Care
Clean: Deep clean before storage
Filling: Filled with newspaper for shape
Dust bag: Store in dust bag or original box
Cedar balls: Put in boots for freshness and moth protection
Odor Removal
Prevention
Wear socks: Except UGGs (worn without socks)
Rotate your sneakers: Don't wear the same ones every day.
Dry after wearing: Remove the insoles, let them air out
Odor Removal
Baking soda: Sprinkle inside, leave overnight, shake out
Cedar shoe trees: Naturally refreshing
Freeze: Place in a plastic bag, in the freezer overnight (kills bacteria)
Sneaker Deodorizer: Specialized Products (Crep Protect Pills)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash sneakers in the machine?
NO. Never. It damages the glue, materials, and shape of the sneakers.
How to clean white sneakers?
Baking soda paste (baking soda + water) + old toothbrush. For deep cleaning: magic sponge.
How often should you clean your sneakers?
Surface cleaning after each wear. Deep cleaning every 2-3 weeks or as needed.
Can I use regular detergent?
Only use mild detergent for mesh and Primeknit. For leather and suede, use specialized cleaners.
How to dry sneakers?
Only in the air, stuffed with newspapers. Never in a dryer, radiator or direct sunlight.
What if the UGGs are wet?
Filled with newspaper, air dry away from heat. When they are almost dry, brush with an UGG brush.
How to keep Boost soles white?
Magic sponge or baking soda paste. Regular cleaning after each wear.
Advice from 1000+ Elephand.shoes Customers
"Regular cleaning is key. It's easier to maintain than deep cleaning." - Nike Dunk owner
"UGG water repellent spray BEFORE first wear is a must. It has saved my boots countless times." - UGG Classic Mini owner
"For white Air Force 1s: magic sponge is a miracle. Cleans like new." - AF1 collector
"I clean my Yeezy 350 after every 3 wears. The Primeknit absorbs everything." - Yeezy enthusiast
"Golden Goose don't need much cleaning. The 'dirtier' they are, the better they look." - Golden Goose owner
Need Help?
Do you have a specific question about maintaining your sneakers? Contact us:
Email: info@elephandshoes.shop
Instagram: @elephandshoes
TikTok: @elephandshoes
Over 1000 Elephand.shoes customers use these instructions to maintain their premium sneakers. Join a community that values quality and proper care!