How we hand-wash sneakers in Cheras

Why is a washing machine hard on shoes?

Glue does not like heat or soaking. Most sneakers are held together with adhesive where the upper meets the sole. A long soak in warm water softens that glue, and the tumbling flexes the joint over and over. A tumble dryer is worse, because the heat works on the glue while the drum bends the shoe.

Shoes lose their shape. The heel counter and toe box give a sneaker its structure. Banging around a drum can crease or dent them, and foam insoles soak up water like a sponge and dry out of shape.

A machine cleans everything the same way. One sneaker can be mesh, suede, leather, rubber and painted foam all at once. Each of those wants different handling. A machine just soaks the lot.

It often leaves the dirt behind anyway. The grime on a sneaker sits in the seams, along the edge of the midsole, and in the texture of the outsole. A drum does not reach those places. It loosens the dirt, spreads it through wet mesh, and leaves brown tide lines as the shoe dries.

That is why, at our shop, shoes are hand-washed only. Shoes never share a drum with anyone’s clothes. Hand-washing is slower, but you control how much water goes where, and you can treat each material on its own terms.

What do you need at home?

• A soft brush for uppers (a soft old toothbrush works for edges and stitching)
• A firmer brush for the soles
• Two clean cloths, ideally microfibre
• A basin of cool or lukewarm water, never hot
• A mild soap: a few drops of gentle liquid detergent or mild dish soap
• Plain paper or paper towels for stuffing (avoid newspaper on white shoes, the ink can transfer)

How do you hand-wash canvas and mesh sneakers?

1. Dry-brush first. Take out the laces and insoles. Knock the soles together outside, then brush off dry dirt and dust. If you add water to loose dirt, you are just making mud.

2. Do laces and insoles separately. Soak the laces in a little soapy water, rub them between your fingers, rinse and hang them straight. Wipe foam insoles with a damp, soapy cloth rather than soaking them, then let them dry flat outside the shoe.

3. Clean the soles. Dip the firm brush in the soapy water and scrub the outsole and the side of the midsole. Rinse the brush often. The midsole edge is usually where most of the grey build-up lives.

4. Wash the uppers with less water than you think. Dip the soft brush in the suds, not the water, and work in small circles one panel at a time. Wipe the foam off with a damp cloth as you go. Do not flood the inside of the shoe.

5. Rinse with a cloth, not the tap. Wipe the whole shoe with a clean damp cloth until there is no soap left. Soap left in the fabric attracts new dirt and can dry into yellowish marks.

6. Dry slowly, in the air. Stuff the shoes with plain paper to hold their shape and pull out moisture, and swap the paper when it gets damp. Leave them somewhere shaded with moving air. A fan helps. Keep them out of strong afternoon sun, away from a dryer, and never leave them to bake in a closed car. In Kuala Lumpur’s humidity this takes time, often a full day or more. A pair that goes back into a cupboard damp will start to smell.

How do you clean leather, suede and special pairs?

Smooth leather does not need a bath. Wipe it with a cloth that is barely damp with mild soapy water, follow with a clean damp cloth, then dry it with a soft towel. A leather conditioner now and then keeps it from cracking, but try it on a hidden spot first.

Suede and nubuck are the ones to be most careful with. Keep water away where you can. Use a dry suede brush to lift the nap and a suede eraser for small marks. Water, and especially soapy water, can leave dark rings on suede that are harder to fix than the original mark.

Knit uppers, designer pairs, and anything with printed or glossy details deserve a spot test before you try anything new. If you are unsure, stop rather than scrub harder.

Things to skip on any shoe: bleach, hot water, wire brushes, the washing machine, and the dryer. Bleach can yellow white midsoles and stain coloured panels.

How do you keep sneakers cleaner between washes?

• Brush off dirt on the same day, especially after a rainy walk. Fresh dirt comes off easily; set-in dirt does not.
• Rotate your shoes so each pair dries out fully between wears.
• Wash the laces more often than the shoes. Clean laces make a pair look much fresher.
• Store shoes somewhere with air, not sealed in plastic bags, which trap humidity.
• Deal with a fresh mark with a damp cloth before it has time to sink in.

When should you bring sneakers to the shop?

Home cleaning is great for upkeep, but not always enough for stains that have set in, midsoles that have gone dull or yellow, pairs made of mixed materials, or shoes you are nervous about ruining.

That is where our shoe cleaning counter in Taman Cheras comes in. Every pair is washed by hand. Results vary with the material, the age of the shoe and the stain. We deep-clean, but we do not repair tears or reverse all yellowing. If one shoe has a particular mark, point it out when you drop the pair off, and mention the material if you know it.

Shoe cleaning sits with our other services. Clothes are a different process: read what dry cleaning actually does, and for bedding in wet weather see how to keep a comforter fresh.

Questions about hand-washing sneakers

Can I put canvas sneakers in the washing machine on a gentle cycle?

Some labels allow it, and many do not. We never do it, because of the risk to the glue and the shape. Hand-washing takes a little longer but is far more controlled.

How long do sneakers take to dry?

It depends on the material and the weather. In humid weather, plan on at least a full day of air drying, and check the inside before you wear or store them.

How long does a shoe clean take at the shop?

Usually ready within 3 working days; express service available.

What does shoe cleaning cost, and how do you visit?

Shoe cleaning at Superman Laundry is RM30 for a Standard wash and RM45 for a Premium / Luxury wash. Standard wash is for normal sports shoes such as Nike, Adidas and similar brands. Premium / Luxury is for designer shoes such as LV, Balenciaga and Gucci. The difference is the brand and the material. You can see everything else on our price list.

We are at 17-1, Lorong Durian, Taman Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, open Monday to Saturday from 9AM to 7PM and closed on Sunday. There is public parking nearby. Visit the shop for the map. Questions? WhatsApp us or call 013-833 5526.