Nothing carries you through the day better than a reliable pair of shoes. Whether taking on a challenging hike or simply getting from A to B across town, good shoes make every step and journey a little bit easier. However, this reliability and strength can only be maintained if you know how to look after your shoes.
Keeping your shoes in top condition is crucial to maintaining high performance no matter the occasion. If you allow your shoes to be overwhelmed by the dirt and debris you accumulate over several wears, they will look worse, and the material could start to wane. This significantly impacts your shoes' reliability and overall performance.
At Rieker, we're committed to helping you get the most out of your shoes. That's why we've created a cleaning hub, so you know how to tackle dirty shoes of all kinds. In this addition to our knowledge hub, we're looking at synthetic shoes.
Table of contents
- What are synthetic shoes?
- How to clean synthetic leather shoes
- How to clean synthetic running shoes
- Synthetic shoe maintenance
- Synthetic shoes at Rieker
What are synthetic shoes?
Synthetic shoes are created using artificial materials that often resemble other natural footwear materials. The use of synthetic materials makes these shoes a popular alternative to leather dress shoes for vegans and many others.
Running shoes are often made using synthetic materials as the artificial element helps the designers and manufacturers create specific trainers that target high-performance. Being able to construct a shoe so that it hits specific targets for customers has seen synthetic shoes become the go to in athletic footwear.
Now we know what synthetic shoes are and how they differ from other shoes, how do we clean them?
How to clean synthetic leather shoes
While faux leather shoes may look and sometimes feel like the real deal, the fact is they’re made without using any animal product. This distinction means you can’t transfer methods from cleaning your natural leather shoes to your artificial pair. Before we begin, this is what you’ll need to clean synthetic leather shoes:
- A soft-bristled brush
- A clean cloth
- Warm water
- Mild laundry detergent
- Dry towel
Wipe away loose dirt
Once you’ve gathered what you need, cleaning artificial leather shoes is usually a speedy process. Take your cloth and remove any loose dirt or debris from your shoes. Tougher stains may require the help of a soft-bristled brush.
Use a cleaning mixture
A good cleaning mixture should help remove lingering stains and scuffs while restoring your footwear’s original shine. Mix a small amount of mild laundry detergent with warm water before dipping a clean cloth into the mixture. Use gentle, circular motions as you wipe your shoes so you don’t risk causing damage. Dry your shoes using a towel, and they’ll be as good as new!
How to clean synthetic running shoes
On the run, you can pick up all sorts of dirt and muck, no matter the terrain. Keeping your running shoes clean and well taken care of helps you stay at top performance. Don’t sacrifice your pace and rhythm by running in footwear that isn’t appropriately supporting your feet.
Before you work on cleaning your synthetic running shoes, ensure you’ve removed the laces and insoles from the trainers to encourage strong air circulation during cleaning. No cleaning solution is required for synthetic running shoes. Just good old-fashioned running water will do.
Rinse your trainers under a tap to remove the surface dirt and debris that has built up on your shoes, and use a soft-bristled brush to tackle the more difficult areas. Once fully cleaned, leave your shoes to dry completely. Avoid leaving your shoes in direct sunlight as the materials in the trainers could be damaged.
All that’s left to do is put the insoles and laces back in and get out for a jog!
Synthetic shoe maintenance
Regular cleaning is a healthy way to preserve your synthetic shoes and restore their signature shine. Still, proper maintenance will make regular cleaning less of a necessity and prevent your favourite shoes from waning over time. A quick wipe after each wear should prevent most dirt from building up.
Remove the insoles after use to help your shoes maintain their original shape, and fill them with newspaper. This keeps soles fresh and ready to insert back in the shoe while maintaining a comfortable fit for each wear.
Store your shoes on a shoe rack away from natural light and ensure the temperature of your storage space is consistent. Alternatively, you can store your synthetic shoes in their original box with the wrapping paper.
Synthetic shoes at Rieker
At Rieker, we stock a wide variety of shoes, including those made from synthetic materials. These shoes are great for environmentally conscious footwear shoppers or those who love the look of a leather shoe but are worried about maintenance. Whatever the appeal, we have a perfect pair of synthetic shoes to suit your style. So, now you know how to clean and maintain them, what’s stopping you?
All of our shoes at Rieker are made with antistress properties to help make walking easier and more comfortable. Learn more about our antistress technology here.
