Sneaker care 101Wear them longer, keep them cleaner

Welcome to Closet Care, the series full of expert tips on making your wardrobe last longer. In episode two, we joined forces with sneakerhead Max Reiter aka Maxplore for a deep dive into sneaker care & customising — if we dare.

By Heather Snowden

19 April 2025 · 4 min read

_Closet Care is a part of our series to help you to wear your wardrobe better. For more on how to care for your closet and make the most of your clothes, visit Stories on Zalando.

“The oldest pair of sneakers I own are Nike 6.0 Dunk IDs from my early BMX days in 2008 or 2009,” says Berlin-based sneakerhead and customising pro Max Reiter aka Maxplore. “The professional Nike BMX Team riders that I looked up to at the time like Nigel Sylvester, Dennis Enarson, and Chad Kerley always had these on. After saving up enough money I was able to buy myself a pair. The vibrant colours really impressed me and piqued my interest in sneakers.”

We’ve linked up with Max to talk about the joy of making your kicks last longer — to nerd out about how cool it is to own pairs that date back for over 15 years, particularly when we live in a time of relentless hype and drops. We’re also here to talk care routines as, funnily enough, making your sneakers stand the test of time doesn’t just happen by magic. It takes effort and intention, and it takes knowledge. Because knowing how to clean, care and store your shoes properly makes all the difference, as we’ll soon find out.

CLEANING

What are your 3 golden rules for caring for sneakers?

Protect your sneakers before wearing them. Apply a water and stain repellent [to] prevent dirt, water and stains from ruining the material. Cleaning will become a lot easier down the line.
Don’t let the dirt settle. The longer stains sit on your sneakers, the harder they are to remove.
Store them properly. Avoid dust, moisture and sunlight to prevent damage. The shoe box your shoes arrived in works great to store them.

Can I put my sneakers in the washing machine?

You can put your sneakers into the washing machine (on 30 degrees) but I prefer to clean my sneakers by hand, especially when it’s a newer and more delicate pair.

How often do you clean your sneakers? Why?

I usually clean my shoes every few weeks. I like to rotate my sneakers constantly, so whenever I wear a sneaker, afterwards it has a few days to relax. To break it down into a number, probably after 5-6 wears. If I spot a bigger stain, I’ll try to clean them after wearing or, if possible, on-the-go with a sneaker wipe.

Is there such a thing as cleaning too much?

Yes, it will damage the materials. There is no need to clean your shoes after each wear when there are no visible stains. Clean only when needed.

To clean with tap water or not? Does using filtered make a difference?

For your regular sneaker cleaning, tap water is totally fine. I always use it and my sneakers are doing great.

CARE

Which materials require the most care and why?

Suede and nubuck require more care than other materials because they are more sensitive to damage from water, dirt and harsh cleaning methods. It’s important to keep them dry. Dirt and dust can be removed by a suede brush or a nubuck eraser.

A canvas upper is more durable and won’t be affected as much by cleaning methods. When choosing the right cleaner for mixed uppers, focus on the most sensitive material because you can use a sensitive cleaner for more common materials like canvas.

How should we be storing our sneakers?

I recommend storing your sneakers in a dry, cool area, without sunlight shining directly on them to avoid damage and discolouration. Using shoe trees or paper towels stuffed inside of the sneaker will help you preserve their shape while also preventing creases.

White sneakers displayed on a circular stand between two metal fans, against a blue backdrop. The scene conveys a modern, airy aesthetic.

CUSTOMISING

Customising sneakers can seem a bit scary. What words of wisdom would you give first-timers?

Customising can feel intimidating at first. My advice is to start simple and don’t aim for perfection. Practice on old or cheaper pairs first. Mistakes are part of the learning process — the most important thing is to have fun!

What are your favourite ways to customise sneakers and why?

I love sewing and adding new materials like denim and leather. It lets me transform classic kicks into unique designs while keeping their original structure. These additions bring fresh textures and give each pair a more one-of-a-kind personalised look.

What tools do I need to cover the basics?

It’s important to focus on what you’re trying to do. My first customisation was a pair of white Vans Old Skool with a basic black Sharpie. Starting that simple helped me get into it without getting overwhelmed by all the available products. If you have any questions, my inbox on Instagram is always open.

Do you ever work with natural dyes?

Yes, I’ve used coffee as a natural dye. It gives the sneakers a nice vintage look. It especially changes the colour of the soles, giving them a more earthy colour instead of an original bright white and I really like that look.

Bonus tip: Why is taking care of your sneakers important?

Taking care of your sneakers is important to keep them looking fresh and lasting longer. You got your sneakers because you loved their look, you spent your hard-earned money on them, so why not take care of them?