The aftercare ritual: What to do after cleaning your sneakers

So, you've just spent some quality time scrubbing your sneakers back to life - good job! But wait, the job's not completely done yet. Cleaning is just the first part. To really keep your kicks looking fresh and lasting longer, you need to show them some love after the cleaning session too.

Welcome to The Aftercare Ritual - the small but mighty steps that make all the difference.

Here’s what you should do after cleaning your sneakers:

1. Let them air dry properly

First things first — don’t even think about wearing your sneakers while they’re still wet or damp. That’s a fast track to warped shapes and damaged materials.

Instead, find a cool, dry spot with good airflow and let it air dry naturally.
Watch out for these mistakes:

• No direct sunlight — it can fade your colors.

• No heaters or hair dryers — too much heat can ruin the materials.

Pro Tip: You can insert a shoe tree for quickly drying for better airflow and to maintain the shape of your sneakers, in case you don't have it you can use a towel or newspaper.

2. Check the condition after drying

Once your sneakers are bone dry, take a few minutes to check them over. Sometimes a little dirt hides in places you don’t notice right away — like around the lace holes or deep in the soles.

• Grab a soft brush and gently knock off any leftover dirt.

• If you spot any missed grime, wipe it off with a damp cloth.

A quick check means your sneakers will actually look and feel clean — not just half-done.

3. Condition leather sneakers

If you’ve just cleaned leather sneakers, they’ll need a little extra care. Use a leather conditioner once they're dry to keep the material soft and prevent cracking.
Think of it like applying moisturizer after washing your face — your leather shoes deserve that pampering too.

4. Brush up the suede

Suede sneakers have a whole vibe, but they can get a bit rough after a wash. Once they're fully dry, gently brush the suede with a soft suede brush. It'll bring back that buttery texture and lift the softness.

5. Apply a shoe protector spray

To keep your sneakers looking fresh for longer, you'll want to armor them up with a good water resistant shoes spray - trust us, it's a game changer.

Pick a spray that's made for your sneaker material (whether it's leather, suede, mesh, or something fancy). Give your dry sneakers an even coat all over, then let them chill untill they're completely dry.

Think of it like giving your kicks an invisible shield - one that fights off dust, water, and random stains so you don't have to stress every time you step outside.

6. Re-lace your sneakers neatly

After cleaning and drying, do not forget to re-lace your sneakers properly. Clean laces make a big difference in the final look.

• If you cleaned the laces, wait until they are dry.

• If the laces are too dirty or damaged, it is better to replace them with new ones.

• Lace up your sneakers neatly to give them a fresh and tidy appearance.

Neat laces show that you take good care of your sneakers.

7. Deodorize your sneakers

Even if your sneakers look clean, they can still have a bad smell. To keep them smelling fresh, use a deodorizer for shoes.

• Spray the deodorizer inside your sneakers.

• Let them sit for a few hours before wearing them.

Deodorizers help in removing any leftover odor and give a clean, pleasant smell to your sneakers.

8. Store them properly

Good storage is another important part of aftercare. Sneakers that are thrown in a corner can get crushed, dirty, or damaged easily.

• Keep them in a dry, cool place.
• If possible, store them in a shoe crate.
• Avoid plastic bags because they trap moisture, which can damage the shoes over time.

Proper storage keeps your sneakers safe and ready to wear whenever you need them.

Conclusion

Cleaning your sneakers is just half the battle. The real magic happens with good aftercare.

Taking a few extra minutes after cleaning can seriously stretch the life of your sneakers. After all, if you've gone through the effort of cleaning them, you might as well make that fresh-out-of-the-box feeling last as long as possible, right?

Take care of your shoes with SHOEGR shoe care essentials. Your sneakers will stay looking fresh, feeling good, and ready to turn heads wherever you go.

Stay fresh, sneaker fam!