How to Clean Adidas Superstar the Right Way

Let’s be honest; no one wants to throw away a perfectly good pair of Adidas just because they turned yellow or got splattered with black marks. You try to clean them, but the amount of elbow grease required and lack of a satisfying result disheartens you, and so you end up shoving them somewhere out of sight. That is so not what a pair of Adidas Superstar shoes deserves!

The feeling of opening a box with a new pair of Adidas and basking in its box-fresh smell is shadowed by that tiny voice in the back of your head, warning you of its impending doom to the not-so-white and stinky status. You get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that within a month, or even within a week of wearing them, they will become pretty drab.

Get out those sneakers collecting dust in the back of the closet and breathe some life into them with either of these awesome tricks. Why awesome, you ask? Because they don’t require much elbow grease or time and aren’t costly either! We'll tell you how to clean your Adidas Superstar the right way with minimal efforts.

Method 1: Dish Soap, Bleach & Water

It is so easy to end up with stains on your favorite shoes. Grass stains, dirt, mud and puddle splashes, there’s no end to what your shoes are exposed to. And some stains are so nasty that they simply refuse to leave your shoes.

For every nasty and tough stain, bleach is the way to go. You may be wondering if bleach is a wise choice for cleaning your white shoes. Yes, it is! Though not the most gentle choice, it’s necessary if your shoes are in a completely deplorable state. You just need to make sure that you follow the exact instructions when using bleach, especially when diluting it.

Dish soap seems really obvious, but it works like a miracle. Get these ingredients together, and you have a potent solution to get rid of even the most stubborn stains from your Adidas.

Things you’ll need:

• Bleach – 1 tablespoon
• Dawn dish soap (or any other kind you have on hand) – 1 teaspoon
• Water – 5 tablespoons
• Toothbrush
• Kitchen towel

Step 1. Prepare a solution of diluted bleach and dish soap

• Put 1 tablespoon of bleach in a bowl.
• Mix in 5 tablespoons of water to dilute the bleach.
• Add 1 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap to the diluted bleach.
• Mix the solution well.

Be careful while diluting bleach. The ratio has to be 1 part bleach to 5 parts water.

Step 2. Brush off any loose dirt from the shoes

• Remove the shoelaces.
• Brush off all the loose dirt and dust on the shoes with a toothbrush.
• Clap the shoes together as an extra measure to shake off any dirt from the surface.

Step 3. Clean the shoes with the solution

• Dip the toothbrush in the solution.
• Gently scrub your shoes with the toothbrush in circular motions to clean off the dirt and stains.
• Cover the entire surface of the shoes with the solution.

Step 4. Wipe the shoes clean with a damp cloth

• Pour some water on a kitchen towel.
• Rub the shoes clean with the damp towel.
• Don’t put your shoes in direct sunlight, let it air dry completely.

Method 2: Toothpaste & Baking Soda

Toothpaste also works great for cleaning your white shoes. This method does not require too much effort either.

Sure, toothpaste cleans your teeth. But believe it or not, it does wonder in cleaning your old white Adidas as well. You will, of course, have to stay away from colored or gel toothpaste, as these will further stain your shoes instead of cleaning them. Toothpaste is one of the most gentle items you can use to clean your shoes.

Baking soda is as versatile a tool as it gets. Apart from freshening up your fridge, baking works as an excellent cleaning agent for your white shoes. Also, baking soda is perfect for getting rid of that awful stink from your favorite shoes. You cannot keep spraying air fresheners on your shoes to help mask that stink. You’ve got to take action to eliminate the odor. Baking soda actually absorbs the odor instead of simply masking it.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda – 3 tablespoons
• Dawn dish soap – 1 teaspoon
• Toothpaste (non-gel)
• Toothbrush
• Towel
• Water

Step 1. Remove loose dirt from the shoes

• Remove the shoelaces.
• Brush loose dirt off your shoes with a toothbrush.
• Clap the shoes together as an extra measure to shake off the dirt.

Step 2. Clean the sides of the shoes with toothpaste

• Put a blob of toothpaste on an old toothbrush.
• Rub the toothpaste in circular motions on both sides of your Adidas.
• Leave the toothpaste on the shoes for 10 minutes.
• Pour some water on a kitchen towel to make it damp.
• With this damp towel, wipe off the toothpaste from the sides of the shoes.

Step 3. Clean the rest of the shoes with a baking soda paste

• Add 1 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap to 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl.
• Pour in enough water to make a baking soda paste of thick consistency.
• Dip the toothbrush in the baking soda paste.
• Gently scrub the paste in circular motions all over the shoes, except for the sides.

Step 4. Wipe the shoes with a damp kitchen towel

• The baking soda mixture dries very quickly and will start to crack. You can clap the shoes together to make the dried mixture fall off.
• Remove any remaining paste from your shoes with a damp towel.
• Put your shoes in a warm location for 2 to 3 hours to let them dry completely.

Tips for cleaning the sneakers:

• Clap the soles of the shoes together to remove dirt from the soles.
• Use a soft toothbrush to remove dirt from the surface. Do not scuff the upper material of the shoes.
• To remove a superficial stain from the shoes, mix soap in warm water. Dip a soft towel in this solution and gently dab it on the stain. Wipe off the soap solution with a towel dipped in warm water.
• If the sneakers have leather uppers, use a small amount of shoe leather to treat it and keep it in good condition.
• The shoelaces can be easily washed in a soapy water solution. But if the laces are ripped, it’s better to replace them.
• Always air out your insoles by removing them from the sneakers and leaving them out in air. You can clean them with the soap solution.
• If the insoles smell, sprinkle a little baking soda on them when they are dry.
• Do not put your Adidas Superstars in a washing machine. The heavy cycle can discolor and damage your sneakers.
• Do not put your sneakers in a dryer either. The high heat could change the shape of your shoes.
• Always keep your Adidas Superstars in their original box when you’re not wearing them.
• Do not leave your shoes out in the sun for too long. It could cause yellowing of the white shoes.
• Never leave a stain on your shoes for too long. Always clean it off as soon as you notice it. The longer you leave the stain, the tougher it becomes to remove.
• Always be gentle while cleaning your Adidas Superstars. Show them as much love as you can.

Tips for using bleach:

• Protect your eyes by wearing goggles to avoid getting bleach in them.
• Wear rubber household gloves to protect your skin.
• Wear clothing that will cover the maximum surface of your skin in case of a spill.
• While diluting the bleach, open the container and mix it outdoors or in a well-ventilated room, so that vapor does not build up.
• After using bleach, wash your hands well with soap and water before you use the bathroom, eat, smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
• If your eyes get exposed to bleach accidentally, hold the eye open and rinse it slowly and gently for 15 to 20 minutes.
• If your skin or clothes get exposed to bleach, take off the clothing immediately and rinse your skin.
• In any case of exposure, consult your doctor as soon as possible.