Cleaning your Chucks.

[ljoshi1989]

THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF SNEAKERS

The care and maintenance of sneakers is an important topic. To care for your sneakers properly, we recommend the following three step program. Whether you purchase your products and tools individually or you invest in an authentic, old-fashioned shoe shine kit, we firmly suggest following all three steps to maximize the lifespan of your shoes and keep them looking their best.

PROTECTION

So now that you have opened the box and tried on your new shoes, the first step to making them last is protection. Apply a protective product to the shoe before you ever step outside your house. Protective products can be in the form of oil, wax, and silicone spray available at most shoe stores. These form a barrier that prevents water, dirt, and stains penetrating the upper. Each type of material (leather, suede, nylon etc) requires a special type of protective product. Do your research and choose which one is best for your shoes.

EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE

All shoes require a certain amount of cleaning and upkeep. A few tips to keep your shoes in good condition.

If you can avoid it, don't wear the same shoes every day. Not only does this keep them from wearing out, but it's also good for your body. Allow the shoes a day or two to rest and dry before wearing again.

Never put your shoes in the washer or immerse them in water. For regular sneakers made of canvas like our Converse Chuck Taylors, hand wash with a mild detergent (nothing works quite like old-fashioned Ivory soap) and cold water. Allow them to air dry after washing and do not throw them in the dryer unless you want them to lose their shape and/or melt.

Nylon and nylon mesh sneakers can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, but with nylon the key is prevention. Spraying nylon shoes periodically with a silicone spray will keep dirt and stains from clinging. Again, you should never immerse these shoes or put them through the wash cycle.

Smooth leather shoes, like Havana Joe Oxfords, we recommend special shoe cream or polish. Choose the color closest to the color of your shoes or a neutral color. Use a soft cloth to dust the leather and then apply the cream. If you have some stains on the leather, a well wrung cloth can be use to gently scrub the stains off. Dry thoroughly before applying the shoe polish. Polishing leather shoes takes time, but it is worth the effort. Remember never polish wet shoes or you could damage the leather. For minor scuffs, try rubbing it with your hand and letting the natural oils restore the leather. Saddle soap is also a great way to treat your leather shoes.

Suede shoes can be the most difficult to care for. Suede attracts stains and can be difficult to remove because getting the suede wet can ruin the shoes. For minor dirt and stains, try a soft brush (an old toothbrush is great for this) to gently brush away the dirt and scrub any staining. Again, prevention is the key. Regular brushing will keep the nap of the suede clean and looking nice, but stubborn stains can be removed with a commercial stain remover suitable for suede. Choose a suitable product and follow the directions carefully.

Nubuck and durabuck leather should be treated the same way as suede with regular brushing and an appropriate stain remover when necessary.

Synthetic durabuck can be cleaned with Ivory soap, cold water, and (you guessed it) the toothbrush. Allow to air dry and be sure to clean them after they have been exposed to dirt or mud.

Are the soles of your shoes looking worn and dirty? Try a toothbrush and some Oxyclean paste (made according to the instructions) or Simple Green cleaning spray. Both products are all natural and environmentally friendly. Use sparingly with lots of elbow grease to clean the soles of your shoes.

REPLACEMENT

Shoes are subject to wear and tear. Most experts say that you should replace heavily used athletic shoes (regular runners, joggers, and basketball players this means you) every three to four months. Replace less regularly worn shoes every six months to a year. So when the end has come, your shoes have reached their golden years, and you're ready to retire them to the collection or consign them to the trash, come back to Sneakerhead.com for a replacement of your Nikes, Puma, Adidas, or Jordan shoes. Let one of our experts help you choose your next great pair of shoes

the above info is taken from :
http://www.sneakerhead.com/sneaker-care.html

[sneakerologist]

Nice post, ljoshi...

[raoparallel]

@ljoshi1989
great information there

[ljoshi1989]

thnx sneako
and also mr. raoparallel

[pandey.kislay]

Chuck Taylor All-Stars, or Converse All-Stars, also referred to as "Chucks,"[1] ' are canvas and rubber shoes produced by Converse. They were first produced in 1917 as the "All-Star," Converse's attempt to capture the basketball shoe market. They were not particularly popular until basketball player Chuck Taylor adopted them as his preferred shoe. He was impressed with the design so he became the shoe's leading salesman. After proposing a few changes to the shoe, the shoe got its current name and Chuck Taylor's signature on its ankle patch. Although classic black is the most popular, Chuck Taylor was himself known to prefer unbleached white high-tops (known in his day as simply "white").

Consumers demanded more variety from the shoe - particularly with respect to colors in order to match basketball teams - so colored and patterned shoelaces became popular to complement the two colors, black and white, available before 1966. Afterwards, more colors and styles became available. Low-top or "Oxford", high-top, and later knee-high, versions were produced. More materials were offered for the construction, including leather, suede, vinyl, denim, and hemp. Some versions of the shoe were offered without laces, held up instead by elastic. These new versions of the shoe were also co-designed by Chuck Taylor, just before his death in 1969.

[ljoshi1989]

Tips on Caring for Your Chucks

From a care insert that was placed in boxes of Chuck Taylors when they were sold in a red and white box.
Converse All Stars are described as Eleven Ways Better!
Each shoe is lightweight for speed.
Each shoe is made with a Foot Form Last for fit, comfort, and support.
Each shoe is made with a shock absorbing full length sponge insole and arch cushion.
The "Peg-top" upper on the high top shoe gives extra support without binding the ankle. The oxford features the new angle-cut high front quarter design for snug instep support.
Shoes have loose lined and ventilated army duck uppers for cool comfort.
Shoe uppers feature an under-stitched web tape backstay for extra strength.
Shoe front has a rugged protective toe guard.
Shoes have permanent-set eyelets for easy lacing.
Shoes are made with double sole binding for flexible strength.
Shoes have a non-marking positive traction outsole.
Shoe sides contain ventilating eyelets . . . for cool comfort.

Proper Care for your Converse All Star Basketball Shoes.

* Wear good quality socks. They will absorb perspiration, thus prolonging the life of your All Stars. Good socks also help keep your feet in proper condition.
* Loosen laces all the way down after wearing.
* Open shoes and store in a well ventilated place at normal temperature.
* Products containing petroleum will deteriorate rubber and should not come in contact with the shoe.


http://www.chucksconnection.com/tips.html

[ljoshi1989]

Love shoes? Chances are you’ve got a fair amount of money sitting in the bottom of your closet. Shoe care -- cleaning and polishing -- is the best thing you can do to protect your investment and extend the life of your footwear.
What You Need for Polishing Shoes
Only a few items are necessary to keep your footwear in tip-top shape:

* Natural bristle brush
* Old toothbrush
* Wax or cream polish
* Soft cloth or rag
* Newspaper or an old sheet

Polishing Leather Shoes

Select a polish that matches your shoe color. Polishes that contain dyes, pigments, wax and conditioning agents keep footwear looking fresh, add shine and cover scuffs. They are available as liquids, pastes and creams. Although liquid polishes, with their foam applicator tops, are easiest to work with, shoe repair experts recommend the protection and conditioning offered by creams and pastes -- liquid polishes can dry out shoe leather and cause cracking.

Remove the laces. Use a brush or damp cloth to clean dust or dirt from the shoe, heel and sole. With a soft cloth, apply a small amount of polish in a circular pattern. An old toothbrush is useful for getting polish into small or tight areas. Place the polished shoes on newspaper or an old sheet to dry. When the shoe is dry, usually after about 15 minutes, brush with a natural bristle brush, then buff to a shine with a clean rag. If you are polishing several pairs of shoes, be sure to use a different brush and rags for each color of polish.
Cleaning Suede and Nubuck Shoes
Shoes with a nap, such as suede or nubuck, can’t be polished. According to the Shoe Service Institute of America, preventive maintenance is the key to keeping these types of shoes in top shape. After purchasing a pair of suede or nubuck shoes, you’ll first want to apply a protectant to repel water and stains. However, repellant only lasts for a while, so you’ll need to reapply it periodically. Gently brush suede and nubuck footwear to remove loose dirt and restore nap on a regular basis. If you own a pair of oiled nubuck shoes, you may also want to apply conditioner to preserve them. Stains should be treated immediately with a solvent-based suede cleaner. If they prove hard to remove, take the shoe to a shoe repair professional.

Caring for Athletic Shoes and Sneakers

Athletic shoes with fabric or suede uppers and trim can be cleaned the same way you clean your suede or nubuck shoes. Special sneaker shampoos, used with brush applicators, do a good job of cleaning stains and dirt from leather sneakers. Cover scuff marks with matching polish. Sneakers made from canvas, such as Converse All Stars, can be washed by hand using a toothbrush, mild soap and water.

For more information on caring for specific types of shoes, check out the following resources:

* How to Care for Your Smooth Leather Shoes. <http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/a/c_leather_shoes.htm>

* How to Clean Suede Shoes and Boots. <http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/qt/cleaning_suede.htm>

* How to Clean Canvas Sneakers. <http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/ss/canvas_sneakers.htm>


http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/...hing_shoes.htm

[Mindgrinder]

i have a max clean spray and it works wonder i bought it form SPAR superstore at Bangalore, its hardly any effort to clean your shoes with them.

[chrisssteeven]

Hello guy

i have an adidas plein air(Clogol\Black with Forest Stripes)
can some one please tell me how can i keep them clean and safe.

Sustain at long time. any idea.
Have a good thinking.