Known for their brightly colored suede lining and signature Adidas stripes, the Adidas Gazelle shoe delivers a unique combination of performance and style. However, if you own an Adidas Gazelle shoe, you probably already know that the soft suede part of this shoe is difficult to clean and maintain. By knowing a few tips to properly clean and protect this classic shoe, your Adidas Gazelle will stay looking and smelling fresh for years!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Stains on Suede
Step 1. Remove large dirt and shoelaces
Prepare for shoe cleaning by brushing off any excess dirt, removing shoelaces, and filling shoes with newspaper or shoe tree to keep them in shape. You can use a shoe brush or a clean rag to remove the outer layer of dirt on the shoe's surface.
- Suede is a more durable material and is very brittle. Make sure you scrub gently when cleaning the dirt.
- You can clean shoelaces manually or put them in a laundry gauze bag and use the washing machine.
Step 2. Clean the blood and salt stains with vinegar and water
If you wear these shoes all winter, salt stains can build up on your Gazelle. To get rid of salt stains, mix water and vinegar and wipe over the salt stains with a washcloth. Let dry, then scrub the area gently with a brush.
White vinegar will give the best results
Step 3. Remove dirt and oil stains with baking soda
Pour a small amount of baking soda on the stain and let it sit for a few hours to allow the liquid to work. Gently scrub the baking soda with an old toothbrush in a circular motion.
Oil and dirt stains can be very difficult to remove. If baking soda alone isn't enough to clean the stain, it's a good idea to take your Adidas Gazelle to a professional shoe cleaning service
Step 4. Spray the drying water stain with water
Strange indeed, we deal with water stains on shoes by adding more water. However, only a little! Spray a little water on the area around the stain, then gently scrub the area with a brush in a circular motion.
Focus on the edges of the water stain. When it dries, the stain should blend in with the rest of the shoe
Step 5. Use a white pencil eraser to get rid of the blisters
These scuff marks appear due to the flattening of the fibers in the suede material on the Gazelle shoes. You can wipe this area with a pencil eraser to capture the surface of the fur and remove any traces of it.
- Do not use a pink eraser as the color may transfer to the shoes.
- For stubborn blisters, you can use a nail file.
Method 2 of 3: Cleaning Leather Strips and Shoe Soles
Step 1. Take out the insole and get rid of the smell inside the shoe
To keep the smell of shoes fresh, don't forget to clean the inside! Once the insole has been removed, spray it with a deodorizer to kill the odor-causing bacteria. You can also spray deodorizer onto a washcloth and wipe it all over the interior of the shoe to fight any lingering odors. Air the shoes and insoles to dry.
- Lysol or Febreze are cleaners that also get rid of odor-causing bacteria.
- If you prefer to use natural ingredients, use tea tree oil or another essential oil. Pour a few tests of tea tree oil onto a washcloth and use it to wipe the entire inside surface of the shoe. For stubborn odors, pour a few drops on a paper towel to put on your shoes, and let sit overnight. Tea tree oil is believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Step 2. Wipe the leather with a washcloth moistened with water
Carefully wipe the outer leather strip of the shoe clean. Make sure not to touch the suede so that dirt doesn't move there. If the cloth starts to get dirty, use a new cloth and continue wiping. This helps ensure that dirt doesn't accidentally hit the suede.
- For stubborn dirt or mud, use a detergent diluted with water to moisten the washcloth.
- Try not to rub leather cleaner on the strips, as this could damage the suede nearby.
Step 3. Use a cloth dampened with cleaning solution to clean the bottom of the shoe
Dirt can build up around the outer rim of the shoe sole. Moisten a washcloth with diluted detergent and use it to remove dirt.
You can use an old toothbrush to scrub off any crust and hardened dirt on the rubber soles of your shoes
Step 4. Brush the entire shoe for a uniform texture
After cleaning the leather, use a shoe brush or dry cloth to once again clean the entire surface of the shoe. This will smooth out any rough areas from cleaning so your shoes can look smooth and uniform.
Method 3 of 3: Protecting and Caring for the Gazelles
Step 1. Use a protective spray to minimize future stains
Now that your Gazelle looks clean and cool, it's time to protect it from threatening stains and grime! Shoe stores carry a wide variety of protective sprays designed to be sprayed on suede shoes.
Follow the instructions for use listed on the spray bottle
Step 2. Brush the shoes regularly with a shoe brush to remove dirt
Dirt build-up will build up over time and make your shoes look older than they should be. Also, scuff marks can build up and become harder to clean over time. Brush the suede regularly to keep the Gazelle looking new and cool!
It's a good idea to buy a suede brush specifically designed for cleaning these materials
Step 3. Try not to wear shoes in rainy weather as water will easily stain the suede
Suede is very susceptible to water damage. If possible, don't wear Gazelles when it's raining.
