As one of the most iconic sneakers ever made, Air Jordan shoes deserve proper care and cleaning to keep them looking fresh. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about cleaning Air Jordans of any model or material.
Why Bother Keeping Your Jordans Clean?
There are good reasons to make the effort to clean your prized Air Jordans:
- Maintains resale value – Clean shoes retain more value over time.
- Allows you to appreciate design details that get hidden by dirt.
- Avoids damage from debris and stains degrading materials.
- Restores traction and grip as tread grooves clear of dust.
- Can make old Jordans look near brand new again.
Gather the Proper Jordan Cleaning Supplies
Before getting started cleaning your Jordans, assemble these basic supplies:
- Microfiber cloth
- Soft bristle brush
- Toothbrush for small spaces
- Bowl with warm water
- Mild gentle soap
- Optional sneaker cleaning solution
- Laundry bag for laces
- Stiff brush for heavily soiled areas
- Suede eraser if handling suede models
Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Air Jordans
With your supplies ready, follow these key steps to clean your Jordan shoes:
Prep Steps
- Remove shoelaces and set aside, placing in bag if machine washing later.
- Clear loose dirt particles with soft brush before wet cleaning.
Leather and Synthetic Jordan Cleaning
- Create warm water and soap solution. Dip soft brush and gently scrub uppers.
- Use stiffer brushes on heavily soiled zones as needed.
- Rinse clean with damp cloth to remove soap residue.
- Wipe shoes fully dry before allowing to completely air dry.
Suede Jordan Materials
- Very gently brush suede areas to lift dust. Avoid friction heat.
- Lightly dampen soft brush to apply cleaning foam as needed.
- Blot wet spots – never soak suede or rush drying time.
Jordan Soles
- Apply cleaning solution to stiff bristle brush.
- Thoroughly scrub entire sole plus all crevices.
- Rinse completely with clean damp cloth.
- Allow time to fully air dry soles before next wear.
Mesh Fabric Sections
- Hand wash delicate mesh fabrics separately if very dirty.
- Soft brush with light pressure to prevent snagging fibers.
- Contain moisture with microfiber cloth as you clean.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Jordans
Some cleaning approaches can actually damage Air Jordans over time:
- Machine wash or dry – heat and friction slowly wears material down.
- Harsh chemicals and bleach – erodes fabrics and glue with repeated use.
- Direct high heat drying methods – can shrink, crack or discolor materials.
- Scouring pads or stiff brushes – creates permanent scuffs.
- Overly wetting fabrics and suedes – loosens adhesive and causes tearing.
Using the gentle cleaning method above helps avoids these risks when caring for your Jordan shoe collection.
Restore Severely Dirty Air Jordans
With heavy outdoor wear or long-term neglect, Jordans can become very badly soiled. You can still restore them with extra care:
- Fully disassemble separating sole sections and re-glue in place as needed using proper clamps and adhesive.
- Hand clean badly stained mesh fabric areas to avoid runs or tears from machine washing.
- Let excess cleaning solution soak into badly soiled zones 5-10 minutes before gently scrubbing with soft brush. May need several applications to lift ground-in dirt.
- Apply leather conditioner after uppers are fully dry to renew material suppleness.
Don’t forget to clean Jordan shoelaces periodically as well!
Maintaining Your Jordans Between Cleanings
Keep your Jordans in top shape before they get too dirty:
- Add waterproofing spray to the uppers and soles to repel dirt. Reapply every few months.
- Display prized Jordan models on shelves rather than the floor to prevent dust and grit contacting materials.
- Use cedar shoe trees to absorb foot moisture when Jordans are not being worn.
- Rotate pairs worn to evenly distribute wear rather than overusing one model.
When to Call in the Professionals
While many stains and wears can be fixed at home, some issues require true experts:
- Complete sole separation or missing sections needing skilled adhesive and clamp work.
- Severely stained mesh uppers necessitating delicate fabric dye restoration to renew uniform color.
- Permanent stains that demand heavy duty chemicals to lift which may degrade surrounding material.
For costly or irreplaceable Jordan models, experienced professional sneaker restoration services may offer the best solution when significant damage occurs.
Keep Your Beloved Jordans in Tip-Top Shape
Following these Jordan-specific care and cleaning tips will keep leather supple, soles icy, and style timeless for your favorite pairs worn on or off the court. Air Jordans deserve proper maintenance – give your sneaker collection the TLC they need.