How To Clean Vapormax -

Are your Nike VaporMaxes looking a little dingy? All you need is an old toothbrush and some common household cleaning items. It is time to grab your pair of dirty (and likely smelly) VaporMaxes and make them look fresh again.

How To Clean VaporMax

Released in 2017, the VaporMax has an iconic profile with visible Nike air. The distinct design was released on the 30th anniversary of the very first shoe to show the Nike air bubbles – the Nike Air Max. But like any great shoe, you are still faced with the same problem: how will you keep it clean?

Table of Contents

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How Do You Clean Nike VaporMax At Home?

Whenever you clean VaporMaxes, use an old toothbrush to agitate the dirt on the leather. This will always produce a better result than harsh chemicals and will help preserve the shoes.
Nike VaporMaxes are made with a material called flyknit, which is a light and flexible woven outer material. To clean flyknit lean, make sure to massage a cleaning solution gently into the flyknit so all the fibers are cleaned.
You should have a routine set in place to deep clean your VaporMaxes once a month. Without a system in place, the flyknit material can get very dirty.

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

What You Need:

Water
Small Tub
Old Toothbrush/A Soft Bristle Brush
Dawn Dish Soap
Microfiber Cloth

Steps to Cleaning Dirty VaporMax at Home

First, take your shoes outside and gently hit them together to knock off a large amount of sediment and debris.
Remove the laces and pull on the tongue of the shoes to prepare them for a deep cleaning.
Pour a small amount of water onto your VaporMax and using a soft bristle brush, agitate the dirt starting from the leather portion down to the sole of the shoe.
Next, pour 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.
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.
Once all the dirt has been agitated, use a damp microfiber towel to wipe away all the debris.
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 VaporMax Laces

Restoring VaporMax laces to their original glory is a very simple process.

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Here’s what you’ll need:

Dirty VaporMax Laces
A Plastic Tub
Out White Bright

Cleaning VaporMax 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
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
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 VaporMax one laces here.

How to Clean Yellow VaporMax Soles

Maybe your VaporMaxes are clean, but the air bubbles have turned yellow. This is actually oxidation, which is a reaction that occurs between the rubber and oxygen in the air. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take. Checkout our in-depth guide here on how to clean yellow soles.

How to Clean & Prevent Yellow Stains On VaporMax Shoes

If you are looking for one of the most effective ways to clean yellow soles on VaporMax shoes, this method is one of the best we’ve found.

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What You Will Need:

Baking Soda
White Vinegar
Soft Bristle Brush

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

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.
Using a soft-bristled brush, work the paste into the shoe in small circular motions from the top down.
After the entire shoe is covered in paste, allow it to sit for 10 minutes for the de-oxidation to occur.
Wipe the shoe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

How To Deodorize Nike VaporMax

… If you can smell them, you have a problem. Here’s how to deodorize your Nike VaporMaxes.

Option #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.

Option #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 VaporMax.

How to Clean Black VaporMax

Black VaporMax can be cleaned in the same way as white VaporMax shoes. To see these steps in detail, follow the same guide above for removing oxidation as well as how to do a deep cleaning at home.

How to Keep Your VaporMax Clean

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

Whether you’re rocking VaporMaxes 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.