6 Best Ways To Clean White Nike Air Force Ones At Home

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Want to Learn How To Restore Your Air Force Ones?

Learning how to clean white Air Force Ones at home is quite simple. All you need is a soft bristle brush, a plastic tub, and some common household items. It is time to grab your pair of dirty (and likely smelly) Air Force Ones and make them look fresh again.

One of the most popular shoes since its release in 1982 is Nike’s Air Force One. Its sleek and simple design was originally intended for life on the basketball court, but it is now being integrated into millions of people’s outfits around the globe. Unfortunately, there is a problem. How could you possibly keep white Nike Air Force Ones clean?

 

How Do You Clean White Air Force Ones At Home?

  • Whenever you clean Air Force Ones, always use a soft brush to agitate the dirt on the leather. This will always produce a better result than harsh chemicals and will help preserve the shoes.
  • Air Force Ones are made of genuine leather, which means you must take precautions during the cleaning process. To keep the leather clean over time, you can use a damp microfiber towel to wipe any debris away.
  • You should have a routine set in place to deep clean your Air Force Ones once a month. Without a system in place, it will be impossible to keep them clean over time.

The following steps will aid you in the deep cleaning process of your air force ones and restore them to pristine condition. This process also aids in the longevity of the sneakers. Once your Air Force Ones are completely cleaned, it is essential you follow the steps further below in this article to protect them over time.

What You Need:

Steps to Cleaning Dirty Air Force Ones at Home

  1. First, take your shoes outside and gently hit them together to knock off a large amount of sediment and debris.
  2. Remove the laces and pull on the tongue of the shoes to prepare them for a deep cleaning.
  3. Pour a small amount of water onto your air forces and using a soft bristle brush, agitate the dirt starting from the leather portion down to the sole of the shoe.
  4. Next, put a cup of water into your plastic tub along with a few drops of dawn dish soap, and mix them together. Using the soft bristle brush from earlier, cover the shoes in the soapy water liquid. Proceed to scrub the shoes in small circular motions, removing as much dirt and debris as possible.
  5. Start from the top of the shoe and work your way down to the sole to ensure that the leather has the least amount of dirt on it. Rinse the brush often for the best result.
  6. Once all the dirt has been agitated, use a damp microfiber towel to wipe away all the debris.
    • If your shoes are very dirty and need to be rinsed, do so with as little water as possible. Too much can damage the leather on the air forces.
  7. Once all the dirt is removed, dry the shoes with a towel and leave them out to dry. Avoid direct sunlight as that can cause yellow spots to appear on the leather

How to Clean Air Force One Laces

Restoring Air Force One laces to their original glory is a very simple process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. Cleaning Air Force Ones laces is a simple process. Fill up a plastic tub with warm water and add a few drops of dawn dish soap. Place the laces in the mixture and let them soak for 15 minutes
  2. After the laces have soaked, run the laces through your fingers to eliminate as much dirt as possible. Rinse them in clean water, and if desirably clean, leave them to dry overnight
  3. For VERY STAINED LACES, fill up a plastic tub with 10 cups of water. Add one cup of Out White Bright, place the dirty laces in the mixture and let them soak for 5 hours
      1. Once they have soaked, rinse with clean water and your laces will be brand new again. If your laces are damaged beyond repair, you can purchase new Nike air force one laces here.

How to Clean the Bottom of Air Force Ones with a Magic Eraser

When magic erasers and air force ones collide, its exactly what you would think… magic 

What you will need:

Step 1: Run warm water over the soles and scrub them with a coarse brush. To detail the cracks in the sole, use a fine pick to remove debris and dirt. Rinse the entire sole of dirt.

Step 2:  Use a magic eraser to completely clean the soles. Work back and forth from the toe of the shoe to the heel until the whole sole has been stripped of all dirt and debris.

How to Clean & Prevent Yellow Stains On Air Force Ones

The yellow stains that appear on white Air Force Ones are due to oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical change that occurs very easily on surfaces, including leather, when they are exposed to sunlight, dirt, and debris. Over time this process will naturally happen to your white Air Force Ones, but there are ways to prevent it.

What You Will Need:

Older Air Force Ones will require this more than newer air force ones, but it’s never too early to start. The more often you do it, the less chance oxidation will have to build up.

  1. In a small container, mix equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar. After mixing for a minute, this will turn into a fine paste.
  2. Using a soft-bristled brush, work the paste into the shoe in small circular motions from the top down.
  3. After the entire shoe is covered in paste, allow it to sit for 10 minutes for the de-oxidation to occur.
  4. Wipe the shoe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

How To Deodorize Nike Air Force Ones

… I can smell the stench from here. Here’s how to deodorize your Nike Air Force Ones.

Technique #1: Place a dryer sheet in each shoe, and let it sit for 24 hours. These dryer sheets will absorb any liquid that may be in the shoe, and help mask the overall odor. For the best result, do this multiple times within a few day period to eliminate as much stench as possible.

Technique #2: Mix ¼ cup of baking powder, ¼ cup of baking powder, and ½ cup of cornstarch. Once the mixture is created, pour it into two cotton socks and place them in the shoes overnight. This will greatly improve the smell of your Air Forces.

How to Clean Black Air Force Ones

Although less common, black Air Force Ones can be cleaned in the same way as white Air Force Ones. To see these steps in detail, see the steps above for removing oxidation as well as how to do a deep cleaning at home for your black Air Force Ones.

How to Keep Your Air Force Ones Clean

The last thing you want to do after cleaning your Air Force Ones at home is to do it again soon after.

Whether you’re rocking Air Force Ones or any other sneaker you care about, you should always use a spray sneaker protectant. These sprays create a barrier that is difficult for stains to penetrate which keeps your shoes looking fresh. Once your shoes are clean, consider one of our favorite shoe protectants below to keep your shoes looking fresh for longer.

 

 

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