How to Clean Air Jordan and Maintain Their Values

As an avid sneaker collector and professional shoe cleaner, I have accumulated years of experience in maintaining and preserving Nike shoes, especially the ones from the Air Jordans line. And in this article, I will be sharing my expertise on how to clean Air Jordan shoes and keep them looking brand new.

Air Jordans are more than just shoes; they’re a cultural phenomenon that has been celebrated for decades. Their popularity and iconic design make them a prized possession for many sneakerheads, collectors, and casual wearers alike. However, with great style comes great responsibility, and Air Jordans require proper care to maintain their value and appearance.

That’s why it’s crucial to pay attention to the cleaning and maintenance of your Air Jordans. Neglecting to clean them can lead to damage such as discoloration, cracking, and deterioration of materials, which can be costly to repair or even irreparable. As an expert in sneaker care, I can tell you that proper cleaning and maintenance can help extend the life of your Air Jordans while keeping them looking as fresh as the day you bought them. So, let’s get started on how to clean Air Jordans!

Why Air Jordan is So Special

I love Air Jordan shoes to death, and there’s a high chance that you do too. But why do shoe collectors around the world love this shoe so much?

Remember when I told you before that the Air Jordan I was the first ever signature sneakers ever? The first Air Jordan sneaker came out in 1985. It was Peter Moore who designed this masterpiece specifically for Michael Jordan, the legend. Since then, the Air Jordan line has become one of the most iconic and beloved sneaker collections in the world.

Nike offers a lot of cool sneakers that people can buy and collect. However, the Air Jordan line always seems to stand out. Another particular reason that you should know is their quality, both in the material used and user experience. These are, after all, shoes that have to satisfy the G.O.A.T.’s standard. Need I remind you that they also look cool and unique?

How Long Can Air Jordan Last?

The designers designed Air Jordans to be the best basketball shoes out there in the market. It makes perfect sense that they’re durable and strong. However, I can’t really say a specific time period for your Air Jordan lifespan. It all depends on how often you use them and how you can take care of them.

But worry not! Even if you use them regularly, a pair of Air Jordans can last from 3 to 5 years. If you use them once in a while, they may even last for more than ten years! 

It’s important to note that to preserve your Air Jordans, storing them in a box without using them is not enough to keep them pristine. Yes, keeping your Air Jordan in the box will make them last longer than a pair of shoes that you use daily. But wearing your Air Jordans once in a while will make them last even longer. 

Are Jordans Shoes Safe to Wash using a Machine?

Nope, it’s not safe at all to clean your Air Jordans in a washing machine. As a matter of fact, you should avoid using washing machines for any kind of sneakers, provided that you’d want them to last longer than expected. The risk of damaging your shoes by using a washing machine is too big a risk that you don’t want to take. 

When you’re putting your sneakers inside a washing machine, they’ll collide with lots of stuff. That’s the reason why they might get damaged during the process. Hence, I recommend warm water and cleaning your sneakers manually. I won’t give the full details here, as we shall discuss it later on in the article, so make sure to stick around!

How to Clean Air Jordan Shoelaces (for colored, white, and leather shoelaces)

Cleaning Air Jordan shoelaces is like cleaning any other shoelaces. However, I do agree that different types of shoelaces might require different attention. For instance, white shoelaces will have different steps compared to colored ones. 

When you’re cleaning shoelaces, you can use a washing machine to help the cause. I personally prefer to use a washing machine to clean my Air Jordan shoelaces, as it will be faster and more effective to clean shoelaces that aren’t too dirty. But for those of you who’d like some old fashion tricks to do the job, please pay attention to these steps below! 

#1 White Shoelaces

White shoelaces are the only type of laces that you can wash with bleach. I use bleach to clean any white shoes or shoelaces, as, in my opinion, they are the most effective material to clean white items.

• Prepare a bleach solution by mixing it with a bucket of water. 
• Clean your laces with a brush. Make sure to do this step before using the bleach solution. 
• Soak your white shoelaces in the bleach solution. Wait for 5-10 minutes. 
• You can rub and clean the laces inside the solution to help eliminate the stains faster. However, make sure to use gloves to protect your hands. 
• Let them dry before putting them on your shoes again. 

#2 Colored Shoelaces

Never ever use bleach to clean your shoelaces; otherwise, it would damage them. You can simply clean them by rinsing the laces in the sink. However, I find it most of the time that it won’t be successful. Therefore, you could try to use the steps below. I got a better result using this trick rather than simply soaking them in the sink.

• Prepare detergent or mild dish soap. 
• Rinse your shoelaces with water to make them wet. 
• Rub the detergent or mild dish soap across the shoelaces. As an alternative, you can also fill the sink with water and drop some soap to create a bubbly mixture. Then, you can soak the laces for 15-20 minutes.
• Rinse the laces once more to get rid of the detergent or mild soap. 
• Let them dry before putting them on your shoes once more. 

#3 Leathered Shoelaces

Out of all three types of shoelaces, the leathered shoelace must be the hardest one to clean because it is more sensitive.

• Prepare a cloth that has been dampened in warm water. 
• Rub the cloth across the Air Jordan shoelaces to remove loose dirt and stains. 
• When the cloth has dried up, soak it with warm water and repeat the process once more.
• Make sure to use strength when you come across hardened dirt or stains. 

How to Clean Air Jordans According to Experts

If this is your first time cleaning your Air Jordan, it can be unnerving. But you don’t need to be too nervous if you know the proper steps. The only thing that you should worry about is the details! And as a matter of fact, experts from Nike have a similar way of dealing with dirty Air Jordans as I do.

So, before I proceed to tell you my own take on cleaning a pair of Air Jordan shoes, I’m going to refer to a cool trick made by the Toronto Shoe Laundry! Yes, I have tried this method as well. It works great for my Air Jordan!

• Prepare a pair of dirty Air Jordans and remove the shoelaces. Prepare the necessary kits as well, such as a soft brush and cloth. If possible, make sure to prepare a microfiber towel or cloth. 
• Brush the sneakers with the shoe brush that I mentioned before. Make sure to be extra careful when it comes to cleaning the upper part of your shoes, especially if your Air Jordan has a suede part. 
• Use a microfiber towel that has been soaked with water and wipe it across the shoe’s surface. You can also soak it in a solution that contains mild soap. 
• If you use soap to clean your shoes, then make sure to get rid of them before drying your shoes completely. 
• Put the shoelaces back on, and your Air Jordan sneakers are ready to be back in action.

How I Clean My Air Jordan Shoes

While I mostly agree with the cleaning method recommended by experts from Nike, I have developed my own comprehensive routine for keeping my Air Jordan shoes looking their best.

Over the years, I have tested and refined my techniques to ensure that I am getting the most out of each cleaning session. In this section, I will share my step-by-step process for cleaning Air Jordan shoes, including the tools and products that I use.

A. Air Jordan Cleaning Kit

• ShoeCleaner: A special shoe detergent needed to clean your Air Jordans. 
• Apron: Not an obligatory item, but it will come in handy when we’re talking about keeping your shirt clean while washing your sneakers. 
• Premium Brush: Used to clean the upper part of your Air Jordans. This delicate brush is ideal for canvas, suede, leather, synthetic leather, mesh, knit, nubuck, and other materials.
• Medium Brush: Used to clean your Air Jordan sneaker’s midsole section. 
• Standard Brush: Used to clean your sneaker’s outsole section.
• Small Brush or Toothbrush: This type of brush will come in handy when it comes to cleaning the inner part of your Air Jordan that is usually hard to reach. 
• Microfiber Cloth: Used to wipe Air Jordans clean from dirt and stains. 
• Shoe Tree: Essential item to keep your sneaker’s basic structure intact. 
• Container/Pan: Used to store water that will be mixed with Shoe Perfume in order to generate a certain odor for your shoes. 

B. Air Jordan Anatomy and How to Use the Kit on Each Part

• The Upper Part of Your Air Jordan. This is the upper part of your Air Jordan shoes. Premium Brush, which features soft bristle, is ideal for scrubbing this part. It won’t damage or scratch up the upper part of your sneakers.

• Midsole: The side sole section of an Air Jordan. To clean the midsole, I suggest you use Medium Brush, as midsoles can often get scratched if your brush is too stiff.

• Outsole, or the lower part of a sneaker: To clean an Air Jordan’s outsole, you can use a standard brush that is strong and sturdy. This way, you can eliminate dirt and stains from your outsole easily. 

C. How to Deep Clean Air Jordan

With regular wear, even the most well-loved Air Jordans can start to look worn and dirty. That’s where deep cleaning comes in. Whether your sneakers incorporate suede, Air Max fabric, mesh, or other materials, a thorough cleaning can bring them back to life. In this section, I’ll guide you through the steps to deep clean your Air Jordan sneakers using simple hand-washing techniques.

#1 Prepare the Air Jordan sneakers that you want to clean

A pair of dirty Air Jordan shoes or a pair of Air Jordan shoes that needs to be regularly cleaned. 

#2 Prepare the material needed to clean your Air Jordans

Prepare the ShoeCleaner, apron, Premium Brush, Medium Brush, Standard Brush, Small Brush, Microfiber Cloth, two pieces of Shoe Tree, and a container to store water and Shoe Perfume. 

#3 Remove the laces from your Air Jordan sneakers

It’s recommendable to remove the lace from your Air Jordan shoes. From past experience, I have learned that cleaning Air Jordan sneakers with their shoelaces isn’t effective, as the shoelaces will get in the way of certain parts of the shoes. 

#4 Insert the Shoe Tree in your Air Jordan

This is an essential step, as a Shoetree will be important to maintain the shape of your sneaker when it’s being washed. However, make sure to remove the insole before inserting a Shoe tree. Make sure not to force it, though! Sometimes, removing an insole isn’t possible. 

#5 Dry-clean the Sneakers

Before washing the sneakers with water, we need to brush the upper part and midsole with a premium brush to wipe off debris and dirt that is often found on the shoes. 

#6 Wash the Outsole and Midsole

During this cleaning stage, you can use a Standard Brush. Make sure to use all your strength when cleaning the outsole, as it’s naturally the dirtiest part of a shoe or an Air Jordan in this case.

As soon as you have finished cleaning the outsole, you can proceed by cleaning the midsole with a Medium Brush. This time, patience and diligence are needed, as there will be a lot of dirty spots that are hard to clean.  

#7 Wash the Inner and Outer Parts of the Upper Section of Your Sneakers

Let’s discuss the trick to clean the outer part first. To clean the outer part of the upper section of your Air Jordans, you’ll need to use the soft and gentle Premium Brush. After brushing it, you can wipe the dirt and stains with a microfiber cloth. 

When you’re trying to clean the inner part, you can use a toothbrush or small brush. From past experiences, I’ve learned that you shouldn’t force your way into cleaning the inner section with a Premium Brush. For instance, my hand is too big to clean the inner part, let alone my brush. Therefore, using a toothbrush will guarantee my shoes from getting damaged.                                   

#8 Detailing

Use a wet microfiber cloth to clean details on your sneakers that are dirty, which are normally found on your midsole or outsole. Using a microfiber cloth would be better than a wet tissue, as a microfiber cloth will be able to absorb dirt and water better. 

To clean the shoelaces, you can follow the process that I’ve mentioned above!

#9 Drying Process

Dry off your shoes by using a fan. As an alternative, you can also dry it by waving your hands or placing the shoes in a cold area with minimal moisture. Try not to dry the sneakers by placing them under direct sunlight, as it can damage the glue or paint of said shoes. 

#10 Finishing 

Once all necessary parts are dry, then you can place the insole back inside the Air Jordan sneakers. The same thing also goes for the laces. Now, your Air Jordan is back in action and looks fresh again!

Air Jordan Do & Don’t

Do	Don’t
Make sure to be weary of the material of your Air Jordan. Each Air Jordan has different material and color.	Don’t store your Air Jordan sneakers inside their original box or, even worse, plastic bag.
Store your Air Jordans in a well-circulated area.	Never leave them under direct contact with the sunlight.
Clean your shoes after usage.	Don’t use alcohol to clean your Air Jordan sneakers.

How to Clean White Air Jordan Shoes at Home

Cleaning a pair of white Air Jordans will be a lot trickier or simpler than colored Air Jordans, depending on how you view it. It could be simpler due to the presence of bleach as an option that you can use. However, you should still be careful when cleaning white Air Jordans, as they are prone to damage!

Here are some household items that you can use to aid your cause:

• Dry Brush
• Bleach
• Microfiber cloth
• Shoe Cleaner. It’s recommendable to store it inside a spray bottle

Now let’s get into the fun part, shall we?

• Remove the laces from your shoes and clean them (see the previous parts for the detailed steps)
• Using a soft brush, you can try and remove the dirt and stains located on the upper section of your Air Jordan sneakers
• Try to spray the Shoe Cleaner solution mentioned before. Make sure that the Shoe Cleaner is able to cover all parts of your shoe (or, at least, the dirt parts)
• Dip your brush into a bucket of water. Then, brush it across your shoes
• Wipe the shoes to make it dry
• If your shoes are still dirty, you can try to soak it inside a bucket of bleach solution for around 5-10 minutes

I love using homemade items to clean my shoes, as they won’t cost a lot of money and can still be effective in eliminating dirt and stains. Therefore, you should also try it out!

What is the Best Way to Clean Air Jordan?

The entire article is all about ways to clean your Air Jordans. Therefore, I’m not going to state the obvious and repeat the things that I’ve mentioned before. I’m just going to say that it’s best to clean your shoes manually rather than use a washing machine. I’ve tried using a washing machine before. Although it doesn’t manage to break my shoes, I wouldn’t want to risk it one more time. 

Furthermore, you also need to make sure to clean them carefully and with the right tools. When handled correctly, you’ll be looking at a pair of highly valuable Air Jordans that can last for a lifetime. 

How to Prolong Air Jordan Shoes Lifespan

Cleaning a pair of Air Jordans isn’t the only thing that is required to prolong your sneakers. As a matter of fact, you also need to take good care of them by paying attention to these things:

• Use the correct cleaning kit. It would be a shame if you let your Air Jordan get scratched or damaged due to the usage of cheap cleaning kits, right?
• Clean your Air Jordans as often as possible to keep their value high. A high-valued sneaker can be sold at a high price. 
• Store your shoes in a clean state. Never store them when they’re still dirty.
• It’s highly recommended to use Air Jordans only for indoor activities. Outdoor activities have a higher chance of making your shoes dirty. 

Deodorizing Your Shoes

To deodorize your Air Jordan sneakers safely, you can follow these steps:

• Remove the shoelaces and insoles from your Air Jordan sneakers.
• Place the sneakers in a well-ventilated area or outside to allow fresh air to circulate around them for a few hours.
• Sprinkle baking soda inside the sneakers and leave them for at least 24 hours. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and will absorb any unpleasant odors.
• After 24 hours, tap out the excess baking soda and discard it.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean the exterior of the sneakers. You can use a mixture of mild detergent and water to remove any dirt or stains.
• Dry the sneakers thoroughly before wearing them again.
• You can stuff the sneakers with paper towels or a dry cloth to help them retain their shape and absorb moisture.
• If the odor persists, you can place a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and leave it inside the sneakers for a few hours.
• Lavender or tea tree oil are good options as they have natural antibacterial properties and will leave a pleasant scent.

By following these steps, you can safely deodorize your Air Jordan sneakers and keep them smelling fresh.

Questions and Answers

How Do You Remove Creases from Air Jordans?

The best way to remove creases that can be found on your Air Jordans is by using an anti-crease kit. Normally, creases can be found on the toe cap of an Air Jordan. However, I prefer to use an iron to “steam” your shoes. However, make sure to cover your shoes with a cloth first!

How Do You Keep Jordans in Good Condition?

There are a lot of ways to keep your Air Jordans in good condition. Aside from the most obvious way (to clean them, duh!), you also need to take good care of them. Here are some things that I normally do (and some I’d avoid) to keep your Jordans in good condition: 

• Never let your Jordans get too dirty. Clean them at least once every week (or two, depending on how often you use them).
• Avoid using a washing machine to clean your Air Jordans.
• Avoid leaving them under direct contact with the sunlight. 
• Clean them regularly, especially when you use them every day

Should I Spray My Jordans?

Yes, using a spray to clean your Air Jordans would be lovely. As a matter of fact, I recommended this trick earlier in the article. It is a great alternative compared to chucking your Air Jordans inside a washing machine, so try it out!

How Do I Keep My Jordans from Turning Yellow? 

A yellowing Air Jordan is the result of neglect on your part to clean your Air Jordans regularly. That’s the reason why you should clean your Air Jordans regularly. If you do this on a regular basis, I guarantee you that your Air Jordans won’t turn yellow.

How do you clean the fabric part of Jordans?

Air Jordans are made from different materials. If you have a pair of Air Jordans that were made from suede, you can clean them by using a premium brush. Here’s a simple way how to clean the fabric part of the Air Jordan shoes:

• As always, try to remove the laces from your Air Jordans before cleaning any part of the shoe.
• Prepare a brush and a bucket of water that has been mixed with the Shoe Cleaner detergent.
• Make sure to soak the brush with a little water.
• Brush the shoes gently and slowly.
• Wait for the shoes to dry before putting the laces back on.  

Can you use rubbing alcohol on Jordans?

I’d never recommend rubbing alcohol on your Air Jordan sneakers. Alcohol has a high chance of ruining your shoes, so make sure to stay away from this item. 

Can baking soda clean Jordans?

Baking soda can definitely be used to clean an Air Jordan. However, baking soda can only be compatible with white Air Jordans. There’s a chance that it will ruin the color of non-white Air Jordans, so don’t ever think of using it!

If you do have white Air Jordans, you might want to follow this method below:

• Remove the shoelaces from your Air Jordan sneakers
• Prepare the baking soda mixture by mixing it inside a bucket of water
• Prepare a soft brush or a toothbrush and dip it inside the mixture
• Brush your shoes gently to remove any dirt or stains
• Rinse them with water to remove the baking soda mixture
• Let your shoes dry for a while before storing them once more

Summary

I hope this guide on how to clean Air Jordan sneakers has been helpful! As a sneaker enthusiast myself, I know how important it is to keep your sneakers looking fresh and clean. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can easily maintain your Air Jordans and keep them in top condition.

Whether you’re a die-hard collector or simply someone who wants to keep their sneakers looking new, this guide provides valuable information on how to effectively clean and maintain your Air Jordans. So why not give your sneakers the care they deserve and try out these cleaning methods today? Your Air Jordans will thank you for it, and you’ll be able to enjoy wearing them for years to come (or sell them for profit)!