If you have one of Nike’s most famous and stylishly coveted shoe styles, you might be wondering how to clean white Nike Air Force Ones effectively.
The classic white-on-white style of a pair of Air Force Ones might be desirable, but cleaning them is no small feat, especially if you use them for athletics or everyday wear.
Like any white sneaker, part of the style is in the crisp white appearance, so ensuring they stay in good shape is ideal. How do you maintain Nike Air Force 1s in pristine condition, and if you already have a stain, how can you remove it?
Many specialized creams and buffs are sold to remedy this issue, but often they are too little too late and are expensive when home remedies are available. Read on to find out how to address cleaning the shoe and whether you need specialist help.
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
What Are Nike Air Force Ones?
Nike Air Force 1s are an iconic shoe among sneakerheads. Starting with Air Force 1, they have moved up to the Air Force XXV and the Air Force 09, designed for athletics.
The Nike Air Force 1s are the first basketball shoe that includes the patented Air technology by Nike and comes in a range of different styles: low, mid, superlow, high, and super high.
In the mid style, there is a connected strap. The high-tops come with a Velcro strap that is movable and removable on many of the designs, whereas the mid-top strap is secured to the shoe.
Although there have been over 1,700 variations since the shoe’s introduction in 1982, the most common style is this classic white-on-white coloration. You may have heard them called Uptowns from their popularity in Harlem, New York.
The name originated from the official air traffic control designation of the plane of the President of the United States and was not originally part of an “Air Force” line.
Along with any of the extra styles, there is also an iconic medallion at the bottom of the laces in a silver-colored medal. It is engraved with “AF-1, 82”.
There have been many iconic redesigns of the shoe, including high-fashion pairs sold at an extremely high price with gold medallions and anaconda or crocodile leather material.
How To Hand Wash & Clean White Nike Air Force Ones
Nike Air Force 1s are iconic, but being an all-white shoe with a matte finish, they are prone to scuffs, stubborn stains, and other distracting damage to the shoe.
Many stains and changes are immediately noticeable; some can even risk long-term staining to the shoe if not cleaned off quickly.
Preparation Before Cleaning
When cleaning your white Air Force 1s, the first thing to remember is to wash or clean your laces separately. Being a different material, along with the little medallion at the base of the laces, they will generally require a different cleaning treatment than the shoe itself.
After removing the laces, add some newspaper to the inside of your shoe to maintain its structure and shape as you clean, as well as prevent transference of any loose dirt or staining to other parts of the shoe.
If you have a shoe tree, a more specialized piece of equipment for keeping structure and preventing shrinkage in your shoe when cleaning, this is excellent to add at this stage.
Choose the Right Cleaning Solution
Proceed to prepare some soapy water for cleaning the Air Force 1s.
Although you may find some all-purpose or specific sneaker cleaner solutions sold, these are not necessary when you want to clean white Nike Air Force Ones.
You may find you can make do with household replacements just fine.
Add a teaspoon of dish soap or dishwashing liquid to 2 cups of water. You can also use laundry detergent instead of dish soap if you wish, but avoid fragrances and additives in both to prevent anything from interfering in your cleaning of the shoes.
Add the laces you removed earlier to the cleaning solution.
The harmless soapy solution will damage neither the (likely pewter) medallion nor the laces, and once you have completed cleaning the shoes, you can remove the laces and allow them to soak up as you work.
If you have sensitive skin, wear gloves as you work with the solution, as sodium laureth sulfate (a key lathering ingredient in most soaps and cleaning agents) can dry out the skin and aggravate any psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.
Cleaning Techniques and Tips
To clean white Nike Air Force Ones effectively, use a soft-bristled brush to gently absorb the solution and scrub your shoes in a circular motion. Avoid applying too much abrasive pressure, and try to find a brush with nice and soft bristles to avoid tearing at the leather as you clean it.
Hard bristles could result in tears to the white leather that cannot be repaired. Rub gently on the exterior leather, trying to gather a small lather on the material.
In particular, scrub more vigorously on the inside of the shoe to address any sweat in the lining and insole. The shoe should absorb the solution readily, so too much scrubbing should not be necessary and should be avoided for the potential of damage.
After scrubbing the shoe entirely, try to scrub the shoe two more times to ensure all grime is cut through and lifted by the brush and solution. Pay gentle attention to the tongue and insole, but these won’t require thorough scrubbing: just apply the solution gently and thoroughly.
If you have completed these three cleanings and still find that you have dirty shoes, use a harder bristled brush and apply with more vigorous. Be conscious of the shoe’s durability, and still be wary of tearing.
Rub back and forth to rub the cleaner into the lining, and if you find the hard-bristled brush hard to work with, consider using a magic eraser.
Magic erasers are abrasive cleaners that can be great for applying light abrasion to materials to remove staining. However, be wary that this could remove any outer coatings on the textiles and leather.
Address Tough Stains
At this stage, any tough stains or scuff marks can be addressed with a microfiber cloth or hand towel. Microfiber cloths have a unique composition that allows their fibers to cut through grease and grime, removing dust from the surface of the shoes and using casual static.
This makes them great for cleaning surfaces while remaining gentle, as they are unlikely to damage materials but can help lift grime from them.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the cleaning solution and gently rub it on any stains until the stain is removed. Be persistent, as the microfiber cloth can take up to five minutes to be effective.
However, some marks can appear to be scuffs but result from the leather being removed and the interior layers being exposed. Scrubbing cannot remove these, as they permanently damage the shoe.
This will be easily detectable by running your finger over the mark, as it should feel distinctly different and “lower” to the touch. Wash off the soap in the shoe with a wet microfiber towel or a damp cloth, rubbing gently across the entire shoe and removing all the soap you worked in.
If it is well-soaked into the shoe, blot it repeatedly with the towel, rinsing the towel repeatedly to remove soap as you go.
Drying and Post-Cleaning Care
Dry the shoe afterward with a clean towel, shaking off excess water as necessary.
Don’t leave them to dry in the sun. Sunlight is likely to cause yellow stains on parts of the leather and rubber.
Air drying works best: once the shoe is dry enough that it will not immediately soak a newspaper, the newspaper can be stuffed into the shoe to ensure it maintains shape and does not crack or shrink as it dries.
If you own a shoe tree, this can be used immediately to mitigate this potential problem.
Once done, ring out your laces and rinse them in water. Gently squeeze the water from the laces before submerging them in clean water again.
Hang them to dry with your shoes, ensuring they are hung to maintain a straight pattern and avoid any curling or shrinkage in the laces.
Can I Clean My White Air Force Ones In The Washing Machine?
You might be tempted to toss your sneakers in the machine, but can you clean white Nike Air Force Ones in the washing machine without causing damage?
Potential Risks of Machine Washing
You can put your Air Force 1s in the washing machine, but it is a good idea to only do it occasionally. Overdoing it as it may cause damage and wear to the shoe.
The shoe will repeatedly be hitting the sides of the machine and will be exposed to pressure and water as it is cleaned. As it is washed, natural wear will be added, so avoid doing this regularly.
You should also avoid washing your Air Force 1s without a shoe tree, as the movement may distort the shoe’s shape.
If you understand that it may cause wear, you can wash your Nike Air Force 1s in the washing machine.
Preparation for Machine Washing
You will require a laundry bag, or if you lack one, a pillowcase can work.
First, undo your laces and place them separately in the bag, tying them around each other if necessary. Place your Air Force 1s in the bag with the shoe tree already inside.
Be aware that washing your shoe trees in this manner may cause rusting in the shoe tree over time.
Washing Cycle Recommendations
Wash your white Air Force 1s with no other colored clothing or potential sources of dye or blacks. You should use a low cycle: if there is a delicate setting on your washing machine or a “hand wash” setting, select this.
The lowest option will be safest for your Nike Air Force 1s. Add your laundry detergent, avoiding fragrances, fabric conditioners, or additives.
Although it may seem wisest to wash your Air Force 1s alone, adding other materials is the healthiest for your shoe as it will soften the repeated impacts against the drum.
Old white towels, dishcloths, or others may be ideal, as shoes carry more dirt than clothes. Washing these household materials can avoid exposing your clothes to excess dirt.
Post-Washing Care
Once completed, do not place your Air Force 1s in the drier. This opens an opportunity for a great deal of heat damage to your shoes. The heat will likely damage the leather, causing cracking and shrinkage.
Although sunlight can help with bacteria in shoes, it is not ideal for leather shoes, especially Air Force 1s. Sunlight can cause shrinkage thanks to heat exposure. Avoid exposing them to the sun, and allow them to air dry slowly.
Drying Recommendations
A cold fan, open window, or shade outside is perfect for the shoes. They may take 24 hours or longer to dry, but avoid keeping them in an area with stagnant, humid air, which may cause mold.
Try to keep movement in the air or avoid humidity.
How To Remove Stains On My Air Force 1s?
This can appear daunting if you have stains on your Air Force 1s. However, you do not need any specialist equipment to remove these stains.
Here’s how to clean white Nike Air Force Ones and tackle those tough stains:
Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste in a white color to your white Air Force 1s. Squirt a pea-sized amount onto the stain. Rub this into the leather of your shoes with your finger to distribute it, and then use an clean toothbrush to thoroughly rub it into the stain.
White toothpastes that include baking soda, often sold for whitening, can be ideal as they provide the lightening and gentle abrasion necessary to lift stains on white shoes.
The stain should visibly lift as you work.
Once completely lifted, wipe it off with a paper towel. Then, rinse the material by wiping it a few times with a wet cloth or towel, ideally microfiber. This ensures that there no traces of toothpaste are left.
Dry the material as thoroughly as possible and leave it somewhere well-ventilated to dry.
If your insoles are dirty or odorous, you can also use baking soda or bicarbonate of soda to air them out. Sprinkle the baking soda on the insoles of the shoe and leave overnight.
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Shake out the next day, and the smell should be gone. If you find some smell remaining or you cannot get the baking soda out, wash them gently in a washing machine.
FAQs About How To Clean White Nike Air Force Ones
How do I get my Air Force Ones white again?
It’s tough when your favorite sneakers lose their fresh white look. I’d recommend mixing some gentle detergent and water, then using a soft bristled brush to lightly scrub the shoes. Be sure to rinse them really well after cleaning. Letting them air dry is best, instead of direct sun, which can cause fading over time.
How do you clean the white parts of Nike Air Forces?
Make a mild detergent and water solution to keep the white parts looking crisp. Use a soft brush dipped in it to lightly scrub away any dirt or scuffs in small circular movements. You’ll want to thoroughly rinse with clean water to remove soap residue. Air drying naturally works excellently to maintain that bright white color.
Why are my white air forces turning yellow?
Bummer, yellowing shoes are no fun! It’s usually caused by exposure to sunlight, sweat, built-up grime, or using harsh cleaners. To help avoid discoloration, stick to gentle cleaning methods for white materials. Keeping them out of direct sunlight when possible can also prevent fading.
How do you get yellow soles off shoes?
Mix a baking soda and water paste, and rub it onto yellowed soles of the white sneakers. Let it sit for about 30 mins, then use a soft brush to gently scrub. Rinsing thoroughly after scrubbing and air drying instead of direct sun will help lift discoloration.
How do you fix yellow soles?
Make hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water solution for yellow soles. Apply it to the soles, then set the shoes in sunlight for a few hours, which activates the cleaning agents. Rinse well afterward, and air dry from direct sunlight to avoid re-yellowing.
Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
