If you're trying to figure out how to clean Yeezys, then you've come to the right place.
Although it may seem simple, cleaning some of the best Yeezys isn't as straightforward as you might think as they're generally made from knitted fabric, a material that requires a little more care than leather or canvas by comparison.
As a result, we've put together a step-by-step guide to lead you through the process. We've also made sure to include a few top tips along the way to help your sneakers come away looking pristine and ready to wear this fall or winter.
So if you picked up some of the latest drops on Yeezy Day this year and you're having trouble cleaning them, then we've got you covered with our guide. Let's get into it...
How To Clean Yeezys
Although Yeezys come in an array of different materials, we're focusing specifically on adidas' Primeknit here as it's the most commonly used material to construct a pair of Yeezys. Stick around though because we've also covered materials like suede and foam a little later on.
That said, these materials may change as Ye revealed to Bloomberg that he may be stepping away from his adidas and GAP partnerships once his contracts end. For now though, here's what you'll need to clean a pair of adidas Yeezys.
What You'll Need:
Step 1: To begin, remove your laces in order to completely clean every inch of dirt. Soak the laces in a mixture of warm water and cleaning solution whilst you focus on the rest of the shoe.
Step 2: Grab a soft-bristled brush and gently work away any loose and excess dirt.
Step 3: Next, prepare a bowl of warm water and add a few drops of cleaning solution. Make sure what you choose is relatively free from chemicals in order to avoid damaging your sneakers. Laundry detergent should work fine for this.
Top Tip: If you're unsure what to clean with, you can buy specific shoe cleaning products. One of the most popular and well-reviewed formulas is Crep Protect Cure.
Step 4: Take the same brush as before and dip it into the water. Then, start using it to remove the dirt by rubbing the sneakers in a circular motion. We'd recommend starting with the fabric uppers before cleaning the soles.
Top Tip: An old toothbrush works well for removing dirt in some of the harder-to-reach areas.
Step 5: Once you're happy you've cleaned every inch of your Yeezys, take a microfibre cloth and wipe away any leftover residue. If you're not happy they're clean enough, you can repeat steps 3 and 4 until they're spotless.
Step 6: Remove the laces from their soak and leave both the laces and Yeezys to dry naturally. They can sometimes take a minimum of 12 hours to dry completely.
Top Tip: Add some old newspaper into your Yeezys to help them keep their shape whilst drying.
Step 7: Once bone dry, re-lace your Yeezys and you're good to go.
Step 8: You can take things a step further and apply a protective spray in order to reduce how often you need to clean your Yeezys. Check out our list of the best sneaker protectors right here.
What About Different Materials?
There are several models of Yeezys that use a wide variety of unique materials in addition to the usual Primknit popularised by the 350s.
Suede
Suede is a notoriously difficult material to clean, but not impossible. If you find yourself confronted with suede, like on a pair of "Hi-Res" 700s, then here are our top tips.
Although difficult, it's not impossible, especially if you have a suede brush or towel to clean away surface debris, working with the material rather than going against the grain.
You could always try a suede rubber, like this Kiwi Suede & Nubuck Eraser, if you pick up any stubborn marks on the surface of your Yeezy's as well.
We'd recommend checking out our list of the best suede cleaners for shoes as well as suede protectors to help you find the right products to keep your Yeezys looking spotless.
Foam
The entire Yeezys Foam RNNR range is unsurprisingly made out of EVA foam. Thankfully, foam is a fairly forgiving material to clean.
Our step-by-step brush method can be used to clean your Yeezy Foam RNNRs, but baby wipes can also be used to remove most dirt and should be a lot quicker as well.
Just make sure you leave enough time for your Yeezys to dry before slipping them on.
Things To Avoid When Cleaning Yeezys
It is important to clean your Yeezys carefully, as making a mistake or using the wrong product can sometimes result in irreversible damage.
First of all, we'd recommend you avoid using a washing machine. Although it may seem quick and easy, the large amount of water can get between the glue that holds the upper and midsole together and cause them to separate.
You should also avoid using direct heat or a tumble dryer in order to prevent your sneakers from losing their shape, splitting, or melting away.
Similarly, don't use any wired brushes to clean the surface of your Yeezys as the harder bristles may get caught in the material and cause some of the knitted fabric to fray.
Our final tip is to stay clear of any harsh cleaning products, particularly those that contain bleach, as they can not only cause staining, but can also cause cracks in the midsoles through drying out your Yeezys.
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