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How to Clean the Nike Air Force 1

Published: by Jack Aldrich

Back in 1982 Nike was already well on its way to becoming a globally-established brand, however the next few years of the Swoosh’s activity would really define it as the powerhouse it's known as today. The brand was gearing up to launch the Air Force 1, the first-ever sneaker to feature Air technology within the midsole and still one of the most popular silhouettes of all time. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the AF1 is now a cult classic and is revered by sneaker and fashions enthusiasts around the world.

Even if you’re not a sneakerhead, it’s highly likely that you’ve owned a pair of Air Force 1s over the years. Here at Crepslocker we’re huge fans of the AF1, a sneaker rotation simply isn’t complete without a pair. But just how does one keep their Air Forces clean? Well, we’ve compiled the perfect guide to ensure your sneakers stay looking fresh forever!

NOCTA AF1How to Clean White Air Force 1s

Now it’s a commonly-known fact that one of the greatest ever Air Force 1 colourways is effortlessly simple, it’s none other than the “Triple White” variant. Offering up a minimal yet effective look, the kicks leave the silhouette to do all the talking, creating a versatile pair of kicks that can match with just about anything. The downfall of the squeaky-clean whiteness seen on these sneakers is how easy they can get dirty. However, the good news is that being a leather sneaker, they can often simply wipe clean with the use of dedicated sneaker cleaning wipes

For any detailed sections or fabric components such as laces, be sure to use a sneaker cleaning solution mixed with warm water and a brush. By following these simple steps, your all-whites will be looking fresh for way longer!

How to Clean Air Force 1 Uppers

With most Air Force 1s crafted from leather, cleaning the uppers is usually a relatively simple process. Leather uppers can often be wiped clean using wipes or cleaning solution, meaning that most dirty marks won’t stick around for long. On the odd occasion that AF1s may be crafted from suede or nubuck, we’d recommend either a suede eraser or a suede brush to remove any marks that aren’t budging. Overall, it’s important to keep the uppers of your kicks clean, as this is the part that most people will be paying attention to.

AF1 TiffanyHow to Clean Air Force 1 Stitching

While leather uppers may make things a breeze when it comes to removing marks, the white stitching featured across the design of the AF1 can make things a little more difficult. More stubborn marks and stains can embed themselves into the stitching, meaning you’ll have to use a specific approach to remove them. We’d advise mixing a small amount of sneaker cleaning solution with hot water and then scrubbing the stitching with either an old toothbrush or a sneaker cleaning brush. This should help lift out any stains and have your kicks looking brand-new again.

How to Clean Inside the Air Force 1

While this is a question many people ask, the reality is, you should never really have to clean the inside of your sneakers. By following basic hygiene practices, the insides of your shoes shouldn’t be getting dirty. However, they may start to smell, as this is a common occurrence over time. If you’re looking to reduce this odour, we’d recommend using shoe deodorant or a dedicated odour eliminator product. That way there won’t be any nasty stenches coming from your sneakers.

AF1How to Clean Air Force 1 Midsole and Soles

Much like the uppers of the AF1, the midsole and soles are not intricate parts and can be wiped clean for the most part. Of course, these are the parts of the sneaker you’d expect to get more dirty than the uppers, so keep things fresh by wiping them down regularly. For any more serious stains, you can use the brush method here too. Here at Crepslocker we only regularly clean the midsoles. A professional sneaker cleaner may clean the actual soles of your sneakers, however considering nobody will see this part, it doesn’t matter too much.

How to Keep the Air Force 1 Clean

So you’ve finally got your beloved AF1s clean, but what’s next? Well, you’re going to want to keep them looking fresh for as long as possible, that way you won’t have to clean them again for a long time. We’d advise treating your sneakers to a good coat of protection spray, this will help protect them from the elements and any other dirt that may find its way near your kicks. We’d also recommend wiping them regularly to avoid any build up dirt, this way you’ll keep them shining day after day!