Nike Air Max 90s are a timeless staple in any sneaker rotation, but even these legendary kicks can get dirty and worn over time. Dirt, creases, and faded colors can make your shoes look beat up. Thankfully, with the right tools and methods, you can clean and restore your Air Max 90s back to their former glory. Here’s how you can do it at home with a few simple supplies.
Don’t Ruin Your Air Max 90s
Before you dive in, it’s clutch to know what you’re dealing with. Different parts of the Nike Air Max 90 need different kinds of love.
| Material | Dos | Don’ts | Cleaning Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesh | Use a soft brush; okay to machine wash | Don’t use harsh chemicals | Gentle circular scrubbing; safe for washing machine |
| Leather | Gently clean with a soft brush; wipe with damp cloth | Don’t soak or machine wash; avoid excess water | Light hand cleaning to keep it fresh |
| Suede/Nubuck | Use a dry brush to lift dirt | Don’t use water; keep it dry | Brush in one direction; avoid getting it wet |
| Rubber | Scrub thoroughly with a stiff brush | Don’t be too gentle—it can handle it | Get into the grooves; don’t be afraid to scrub |
| Foam Midsole | Wipe carefully with mild cleaner | Don’t use harsh chemicals; don’t soak | Clean carefully to maintain cushioning |
| Sock Liner | Remove and clean separately; machine wash is fine | Don’t forget to air dry completely | Use soft brush or toss in the washing machine |
Cleaning & Restoration Step-by-Step Process
Sneaker Rescue Kit
- Sneaker cleaning solution
- Adjustable shoe trees
- Soft, medium, and stiff bristle brushes
- Laundry bag for shoes
- Cotton balls
- Acetone
- White, pale blue, and black paint
- Angular paintbrush
- Matte finish spray
- Deoxidizing cream
- Plastic wrap (saran wrap)
- Your washing machine
Step 1: Assess the Damage
Before you start, take a good look at your Nike Air Max 90s to see what needs attention. Are there deep stains, scuffs, or faded areas? Do the rubber soles look discolored? By understanding the condition of your sneakers, you can choose the right cleaning approach.
Step 2: Prepping Your Air Max 90s
Begin by removing the shoelaces and insoles from your Air Max 90s. Insert adjustable shoe trees into your sneakers. These will help maintain their shape during cleaning and reduce creasing, especially around the toe box.
Also, if you want to see just how much of a difference your cleaning makes, set one shoe aside for a solid before-and-after comparison.
Step 3: Clean the Uppers & Sock Liners
In a small bowl, mix your sneaker cleaning solution with water. Use a soft bristle brush to gently clean the mesh, leather, and other delicate materials. Work in circular motions to avoid damaging the materials while lifting dirt.
- Cleaning the Upper: Work in small, circular motions over the mesh and leather areas. Don’t rush it—let the brush do the work. The soft brush is gentle enough not to damage the materials but still gets the dirt out.
- Cleaning the Sock Liners: Next, tackle the sock liners and tongue. These areas can get pretty gross over time, so scrub thoroughly with the soft bristle brush to lift the grime.
Step 4: Clean the Midsole & Tough Stains
Once the uppers and sock liners are clean, it’s time to deal with the midsole and any stubborn stains on the toe box.
- Midsole Cleaning: Switch to a medium bristle brush to tackle the midsole. Brush in one direction to avoid messing with the texture. This is especially important for areas like the textured rubber on the midsole, which can get super dirty.
- Stubborn Stains: For the toe box, you might have to put in some extra work. In this case, the shoe had a deep stain that just wouldn’t budge after multiple scrubs. While the mark faded, it never completely disappeared. Some stains are just too old to remove entirely, but cleaning will still make them less noticeable.
Step 5: Scrub the Outsoles
Now, move on to the outsoles. Nike Air Max 90s have a rubber sole that collects dirt in all the grooves over time. Use a stiff bristle brush to clean the bottom of your shoes, scrubbing in circular motions to dig out all the grime.
Step 6: Machine Wash for a Deeper Clean
After scrubbing, place your sneakers in a laundry bag designed for shoes to protect them during the wash. Toss in a small amount of sneaker-safe detergent and set your washing machine to cold water with a regular cycle. Cold water helps prevent shrinkage and damage during the wash. This step helps get rid of dirt that might still be hanging around after the manual scrubbing.
Step 7: Dry & Inspect
Once the washing is done, let your shoes air-dry. After they’re completely dry, inspect them for any remaining dirt or marks. For many, this deep clean will have removed most of the grime and brought back a fresh look.
Step 8: Deoxidize the Rubber
If your Air Max 90’s rubber has started to yellow or turn greenish, it’s time to deoxidize. Apply deoxidizing cream to the discolored rubber, cover it with plastic wrap, and leave the sneakers in direct sunlight for a few hours. The sun will help activate the cream, restoring the rubber to its original color.
@freshkickssl Getting to work on these incredibly dirty Air Max 90’s. A short in progress tutorial of how we clean. This pair will need a couple of cleans to get them back to their very best, stay tuned! ✨🧼👟 #FreshKicks #FreshKicksDaily #SneakerLaundry #transformation #sneakertransformartion #cleaning #cleaningshoes #cleaningtiktok #clean #airmax #airmax90 #sneakers #tutorial #howto #howtotiktok #cleaninghacks #guide #help #inprogress #sunday #foryou #asmrcleaning #trending #foryou ♬ Chillhop – LoFi Hip Hop
Step 9: Repaint the Midsole & Upper
Now that the shoes are clean and the rubber is back to its original color, it’s time to repaint any areas that have faded or chipped.
- Repainting the Midsole: First, tape off the upper and sole to prevent the paint from getting on the wrong areas. Use acetone and cotton balls to strip off the old paint. Once that’s done, apply a white base coat with an angular brush. After the white paint dries, mix a custom blue color using pale blue and white, and apply it to match the original color of the shoe.
- Repainting the Upper: For the upper, use the same white paint on the leather sections, and switch to black paint for the black areas. Apply a couple of coats to make sure the color is smooth and even.
Step 10: Protect The Paint Job
After painting, apply a matte finish spray to seal and protect your work. This step ensures that the fresh paint stays intact and doesn’t wear off quickly.
Step 11: Final Touches & Inspection
Finally, inspect your sneakers for any remaining small repairs, such as scuffs or loose areas that need glue. Once everything is in order, your Nike Air Max 90s will look close to brand new!
Bring Your Air Max 90s Back To Life
Restoring your Nike Air Max 90s is a straightforward process that anyone can do at home with the right tools. Whether you’re dealing with dirt, creases, or yellowing rubber, following these steps will help you bring your favorite kicks back to life.
Now that you know how to clean and restore your Air Max 90s, it’s time to grab your supplies from The Kick Rescuers for all your sneaker cleaning, restoration, and painting needs. Use these techniques to keep your sneakers looking fresh.
