The sneaker brand that was launched keeping children in mind has now become a giant in the adult world as well. Plae has now become a must-have brand for many grown-ups. Although these shoes are customizable, it is only natural to dread losing the color or shape of the footwear while washing.
However, we’re here to reassure you that it isn’t as big of a daunting task if you have the proper methods and products to clean your Plae shoes. Yes, including the leather ones. Let’s dive into some simple steps you can follow:
Begin With Tackling The Stains
The first step in motion is to evaluate the dirt and stains on your Plae shoes, and the rest follows. Check the below methods to properly remove the stains before you get into the washing part.
Clear The Dirt & Smudges:
Before you get your shoes ready for some tough cleaning in the washing machine, look for dirt and grime that you can easily brush off. Take a damp cloth or a wet brush and begin removing smudges. In the case where your shoes are stinking, you only need to get your insoles cleaned and washed rather than popping the entire shoe in the machine.
Down With The Mud:
Check if your shoes have any mud stains on them, and let them dry out. Once dried thoroughly, place the shoes on a newspaper and begin brushing off the dried mud with a cleaning brush. This step can be followed up by wiping off the shoe with a damp cloth.
Cleaning The Leather:
Don’t worry if your shoes have a couple of scuff marks. They can be easily removed from Plae leather and canvas footwear with something as simple as a nail polish remover. Apply the solution to the stain and let it stay for a while. Rub off the stain persistently till it disappears entirely.
Cleaning The Insoles:
If your insoles have smudges on them and have an unpleasant odor, take them out of the shoes and air them. You can air them in a dry spot outside or your room under a fan. Next, you will have to soak the insoles in a solution of lukewarm water and detergent. You can use a shoe brush to clean and scrub the insoles and air them again to dry.
Machine-Washing: Yay or nay?
Before popping the shoes into the machine, make sure to soak them in a mixture of lukewarm water and detergent. Soaking them beforehand gives you a cleaning advantage on the tough stains that don’t come off quickly. Take a bucket and mix fabric softener, detergent, and lukewarm water. Put the shoes inside and let them sit for 15-20 minutes.
We recommend you to opt for a gentle cycle here, especially for leather shoes. In the case where you have the freedom to choose the water temperature for the cycle, choose cold.
Make sure that you properly cushion your shoes for the wash cycle. You do not want friction to damage your shoes. Therefore, it is essential to provide them heavy padding of towels. Or, you can take a pillowcase or a shoe bag and place the shoes inside.
Drying The Plae Shoes
The dryer is not a place for all kinds of shoes, especially not your Plae shoes. Thereby, we advise you against placing your shoes in the dryer. The shape of the shoes and even the quality of the rubber soles can be damaged during tumble drying the shoes. Therefore, this is a big no-no!
If you have enough time before you wear your Plae shoes again, we suggest a slower process like air-drying the shoes outdoors. Of course, the weather in your area plays a significant role here; therefore, try washing your shoes when it’s sunny outside. Hang the insole, laces, and shoes separately and upside down. Avoid direct sunlight as that can damage the shoes.
A method that can make the drying process faster is stuffing the shoes with newspaper. If you are unable to leave your shoes out to air-dry, you can still do something indoors. Make sure to remove the insoles from the shoes and leave them to dry. Stuff up the shoes with balled-up newspaper and let it soak the excess moisture. You can also blow-dry the shoes during this process on a medium or cool heat setting for a quicker fix.
Some Extra Tips
- After every use, you can use white vinegar to remove all the scuff marks by dipping a cloth in it. Adding this to your routine will ensure cleaning the stains off on washing day isn’t as difficult.
- You can mix up water and vinegar to clean the stubborn stains on leather shoes. Mix both in equal parts and rub or spray on the shoes.
- If you’re worried about the stank, you can pop a tea bag inside the shoe after every use. It will lock away all the foul odor.
- We do not suggest you wash shoes made of full grain leather as washing can damage or deform them.
- Shoes with pastel or white colors can be washed separately to ensure the color doesn’t bleed onto them. We recommend you wash white laces by hand to keep them clean and spotless.
Take Away
Washing Plae shoes isn’t as burdensome as it seems. If you follow all the steps we have mentioned diligently, your shoes will be as good as new after every wash. This article provides you all the necessary information you require to keep your Plae shoes clean and in good shape.
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