Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Treat stains on suede
• Method 2 of 3: Clean the leather stripes and the sole
• Method 3 of 3: Protect and maintain your Gazelles
• Warnings

Known for their brightly colored suede lining and iconic Adidas stripes, Adidas Gazelle sneakers offer a unique blend of performance and style. However, if you have a pair of Gazelles, you know their soft suede exterior can be tricky to clean and maintain. With a few tips on how to properly clean and protect classic shoes, your Adidas Gazelles will look and smell fresh for years to come!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Treat stains on suede

1. Remove excess dirt and laces. Prepare your shoes for cleaning by brushing off excess dirt, removing the laces, and putting newspaper or a shoe tree in your shoe to protect its shape. You can use both a shoe brush and a damp cloth to remove the top layer of dirt on the outside of your shoes.
   • Suede is soft and quite fragile. Use gentle brushing movements to wipe away debris.
   • You can wash your laces by hand or put them in a laundry bag in the washing machine.
2. Treat food and salt stains with vinegar and water. Wearing your Gazelles in winter can cause salt stains on them. To remove the salt stains, put a mixture of 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar on the stain with a cloth. Let it dry and then gently go over the area with a brush.
   • White vinegar works best.
3. Remove oil and grease stains with soda. Pour a little bit of soda on the stain and let it sit for a few hours while it soaks up the liquid. Gently brush away the soda with an old toothbrush in a circular motion.
   • Oil and grease stains can be very difficult to remove. If the stain is too strong for the soda cleaning method, consider getting your shoes professionally cleaned.
4. Spray dried stains with water. Strangely, treating dried-on stains consists of adding more water. But only a small amount! Lightly mist the area around the stain, then brush the area in a circular motion.
   • Concentrate brushing especially on the edges of the dried wet stain. The area should blend in with the rest of the shoe after drying.
5. Use a white eraser to remove scuffs. Scuffs are caused when the fibers of the suede material are crushed on your Gazelles. You can use an eraser to gently rub the affected area to gently lift the material and remove any traces.
   • Avoid using a pink eraser as it can stain your shoe.
   • You can use a nail file for particularly difficult scuffs.

Method 2 of 3: Clean the leather stripes and the sole

1. Remove the insoles and deodorise the inside of the shoe. To keep your shoes fresh, don't forget to clean the inside! After removing the insoles, spray them with a deodorizing cleaner to kill any bacteria that may be causing the odor. You can also spray on a cloth and wipe the inside of your shoe to reduce odor that lingers. Let your shoes and insoles air dry.
   • Lysol or Febreze are both cleaning products that remove bacteria that cause odors.
   • If you prefer a natural option, you can try tea tree oil or other essential oils. Put a few drops of tea tree oil on a cloth and wipe the inside of the shoe. For stubborn odors, put several drops on a paper towel and leave it in the shoe overnight. Tea tree oil is thought to have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
2. Wipe leather parts with a damp cloth. Gently wipe the leather stripes on the outside of the shoe with a cloth to remove any dirt. Make sure you don't put dirt on the suede parts of your shoe. If your cloth gets dirty, get a clean cloth and continue cleaning. This ensures that dirt does not accidentally get on the suede.
   • For stubborn dirt or mud, use a mild detergent diluted with water to dampen your cloth.
   • Avoid using leather cleaner on the stripes as it can damage the adjacent suede.
3. Use a cloth dampened with diluted detergent to clean the bottom of the shoes. There may also be a build-up of debris around the outer edge of the sole of the shoe. Dampen a cloth with diluted cleaning solution to wipe away the grime.
   • You can use an old toothbrush to brush away dry or caked-on dirt from the rubber sole.
4. Brush the entire shoe so that it looks even. After you've cleaned the leather, use a shoe brush or dry cloth to go over the entire shoe again. This will smooth out any rough areas caused by the stain treatment, leaving the shoe looking smooth and even.

Method 3 of 3: Protect and maintain your Gazelles

1. Apply protective spray to minimize future stains. Once you've gotten your Gazelles clean and taut, it's time to protect them from future stains and grime! Shoe stores have a wide range of protective sprays intended for suede shoes.
   • Follow the directions for use on the aerosol.
2. Regularly brush your shoes with a shoe brush to remove dirt. Built-up dirt can make your shoes look prematurely worn out. In the same way, more and more scuffs can appear and become more difficult to remove. Regularly brushing the suede on your Gazelles will keep them fresh and new!
   • You may need to invest in a suede brush made specifically for this type of maintenance.
3. Avoid wearing your shoes in the rain as water easily stains suede. Suede is especially susceptible to water damage. If possible, do not wear your Gazelles in the rain.

Warnings

• While it may be tempting to speed up the drying process after cleaning, never put them near the heater or put them in the dryer. The intense heat can warp your shoes!