How to Clean Air Force 1s: Leather, Midsole, Soles and Laces
Quick answer: Nike says to mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 cup of water, scrub gently with a brush, and use a damp cleaning eraser on scuffs and soles. Hand wash leather pairs, do not use the washing machine, and air dry for at least 24 hours away from heat.
Most of the detailed steps online come from companies that sell cleaners, so we mark which sources are sellers and keep our own reading labelled as general advice.
How to Clean Air Force 1s: The Methods Compared
Nike publishes its own guide for Air Force 1s. It is a short, low-cost routine built from household items. Seller guides add more steps for midsoles and laces. Here is each one side by side.
| Method | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Baking soda and vinegar | 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 cup of water. Apply with a brush or cloth and scrub gently. | Nike |
| Toothpaste for scuffs | Wipe with a damp cloth, work white non-gel toothpaste into dirty or scuffed areas with a soft brush or cloth, then wipe the whole shoe clean. | Nike |
| Micellar water | A gentle cleanser that lifts dirt and oil from the leather. | Nike |
| Cleaning eraser | Dampen it and scrub stains on the leather upper and the sole. | Nike |
| Cure kit foam | Foam from a small amount of solution and water in the brush. Work toe caps and sides, then uppers, then midsole and outsole. Wipe with a microfibre cloth and dry for 24 hours. | Crep Protect (seller) |
| Soak and sponge | Wrung-out microfibre cloth on leather panels, sponge for the midsole, brush for the tread. Dry at least 24 hours away from heat. | SneakERASERS (seller) |
Nike says to check the care label first, and to hand wash leather Air Force 1s instead of using the washing machine (Nike). Our washing machine guide shows where the sources differ on that.
Step by Step: Upper, Midsole, Outsole and Insides
The order below follows the seller guides, with Nike’s household mixes as the cleaner. It works from least to most wet.
- Remove the laces and dry-brush the shoe. SneakERASERS says to dry-brush loose dirt off the leather, tongue and midsole seam before any water touches the shoe, so the tongue and eyelets can be reached.
- Clean the leather upper. Use Nike’s baking soda and vinegar mix, or a few drops of cleaner in warm water on a wrung-out cloth. SneakERASERS says not to soak the leather, because flooding can warp the shape and leave water lines.
- Clean the midsole. Short even strokes from toe to heel along the foxing tape (SneakERASERS), or a damp cleaning eraser (Nike).
- Clean the outsole. A brush clears the herringbone tread, then run along the edge where the sole meets the midsole (SneakERASERS).
- Clean the insides. Insoles can be hand washed with diluted cleaner and air dried flat (SneakERASERS).
- Dry. Stuff with paper towels and air dry at least 24 hours away from heat (SneakERASERS). Crep Protect also says 24 hours.
Cleaning the Soles and Dealing with Yellowing
Sole cleaning is where the guides add the most. SneakERASERS and Nike both use a damp cleaning eraser on the sole and midsole. Crep Protect uses foam with a brush, finishing with the midsole and outsole.
Yellowing is the hard part. SneakERASERS says cleaning can lift surface haze from light yellowing but will not fix deep oxidation, and that deep yellowing usually calls for a sole swap or accepting the wear. Storing the shoes out of direct sunlight is the main prevention. Cleanipedia, a Unilever brand, explains that sole yellowing is mainly oxidation from oxygen, heat and sunlight (Cleanipedia). Our white shoes guide compares the sole whitening methods.
Colored, Black and Suede Pairs, and Stains
For coloured and black pairs, SneakERASERS says to use a cleaner and a microfibre cloth on the leather instead of a sponge, because the sponge can leave a chalky residue on dark leather. It also warns that the sponge can dull smooth white leather, so keep it for the midsole and toe overlay. For suede panels, Nike says not to soak the shoe, to only lightly dampen it, and to avoid rubbing too hard. Check the care label first.
On stains, Nike gives one specific method for grass: dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball, then if it persists wet it with white vinegar for 30 minutes and scrub with a toothbrush or use a leather cleaner.
How to Clean AF1 Laces
SneakERASERS soaks laces in warm water with a little cleaner for about 30 minutes, agitates, rinses and air dries, and says to replace laces that are too yellowed to clean. It suggests re-lacing while the uppers are still slightly damp, because the leather is softer and the laces thread more easily. Crep Protect does not cover laces.
How Often to Clean and Whether to Protect Them
SneakERASERS suggests a touch-up every 2 to 3 days and a deep clean every couple of weeks for daily wear, and a monthly deep clean for occasional wear. That is one seller’s schedule, not a Nike recommendation. Nike gives no schedule.
Crep Protect sells a water-repellent spray and says to apply two layers about 10 minutes apart and that protection lasts up to 2 weeks. It also notes that leather is already fairly water-resistant, so the effect may be limited. We cannot confirm that claim independently.
Mistakes That Ruin Air Force 1s
- Washing machines. Nike says to hand wash leather pairs. SneakERASERS says machines can distort the shoe and stress the midsole glue.
- Bleach on white leather. SneakERASERS says it causes yellowing.
- Dryers and heat. SneakERASERS says vents, radiators, dryers or sun can crack leather and weaken glue.
- Soaking. Flooding can warp the shape and leave water lines.
- Coloured cloths on white shoes. Dye can transfer (SneakERASERS).
How we checked this
- Steps and quantities come from published pages by Nike, Crep Protect and SneakERASERS. The last two sell cleaning products, so we label them as sellers.
- Nike is the only maker source. Its page gives no drying time and no cleaning schedule, so the 24-hour drying figure and the frequency come from the sellers and are marked as theirs.
- We have not tested these methods or products. Where we add an opinion it is labelled general advice.
Cleaners for Air Force 1s
The seller guides we cite use their own products, so here are those listings plus a general sneaker kit.
Crep Protect Sneaker Cleaner Kit
The kit described in the Crep Protect guide, listed for white shoes, leather, suede, nubuck and canvas.
Check it on Amazon
SneakERASERS Overnight Soak
A soak-style sneaker cleaner from the brand whose AF1 guide we cite.
Check it on Amazon
Jason Markk Essential Kit
A cleaning solution plus a brush, a two-piece set for sneakers.
Check it on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
How do I clean white Air Force 1s?
Nike suggests 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 cup of water, applied with a brush or cloth and scrubbed gently. A damp cleaning eraser works on the leather and the sole.
Can I put Air Force 1s in the washing machine?
Nike says to avoid it for leather pairs and hand wash instead. SneakERASERS says machines can distort the shoe and stress the midsole glue.
How do I clean Air Force 1 soles?
Nike and SneakERASERS both use a damp cleaning eraser. Crep Protect uses foam and a brush on the midsole and outsole.
Can you get yellow soles white again?
SneakERASERS says cleaning can lift light surface haze but not deep oxidation, which usually needs a sole swap or acceptance.
How do I remove scuffs from Air Force 1s?
Nike says to work white non-gel toothpaste into scuffs with a soft brush, then wipe the shoe clean, or to use a damp cleaning eraser.
How long should AF1s dry after cleaning?
Nike gives no time. SneakERASERS and Crep Protect both say at least 24 hours, away from heat.
How do I clean black or colored Air Force 1s?
SneakERASERS says to use a cleaner and a microfibre cloth rather than the sponge on dark leather, which can leave a chalky residue.
How often should I clean my Air Force 1s?
Nike does not say. SneakERASERS suggests a touch-up every 2 to 3 days for daily wear and a deep clean every couple of weeks.
The Short Version
Dry-brush first, clean the leather with a mild mix and a wrung-out cloth, use an eraser on the midsole, never soak, never machine wash leather, and air dry for 24 hours.
