Ayrton Oneill
Scuffs and scratches are an inevitable part of owning basketball shoes, but there are several ways to remove them and restore your shoes to their former glory. The first step is to identify the material of your shoe, as different materials require different cleaning methods. Leather, for example, can be treated with olive oil, vinegar, or a coloured polish to disguise scratches. Suede, on the other hand, is a more delicate material that requires a special brush or eraser to clean. Once you've determined the material, you can begin the process of cleaning and treating the scratches, which may involve using a soft-bristled brush, mild soap, and warm water to gently remove dirt and excess material.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning products | Mild soap, baking soda, Angelus Easy Cleaner, suede brush, suede eraser, Shoe MGK Cleaner and Conditioner, white vinegar, petroleum jelly, olive oil, leather cream polish, sandpaper, glue, fillers, leather marker, recolouring balm |
| Tools | Soft-bristled brush, toothbrush, cloth, newspaper, protective spray, suede brush or towel, suede eraser, cotton ball, paper towel, horsehair brush, applicator brush, scissors |
| Techniques | Work away excess dirt, use circular motions, dry shoes with a towel, leave shoes to dry naturally, polish shoes, use least abrasive methods first, buff shoes, scrub marked areas, wipe off excess product, air dry shoes, cover scuffs and scratches, blend product evenly, feather edges, clean shoes before repairing |
| Types of scuffs and scratches | Material transfer scuff, abrasive scuff, small scratch, deep scratch |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the shoes with a damp cloth or brush
Before attempting to remove scratches from your basketball shoes, it is important to clean them first. This will ensure that no dirt or dust gets in the way of the scratch removal process.
Firstly, if your shoes are made of leather, it is important to determine whether they are treated or untreated. This is because untreated leather can be damaged by water. If you are unsure, it is best to use a brush to clean your shoes. A soft-bristled brush is suitable for cleaning sneakers, while suede shoes require a suede brush or towel, working with the direction of the material rather than against it. If your shoes are made of canvas, you can use a brush or a cloth to clean them.
If your shoes are made of treated leather or another material that is not damaged by water, you can use a damp cloth to clean them. Simply dampen a clean cloth and use it to wipe down the surface of your shoes. Make sure to remove any dirt or dust before moving on to treating the scratches. If you use a damp cloth, it is important to let your shoes dry completely before attempting to remove any scratches.
Once your shoes are clean and dry, you can move on to treating the scratches.
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Use a suede brush or towel for suede shoes
Suede shoes can be a little tricky to clean, but most stains have a solution. Before cleaning, ensure your shoes are completely dry. Trying to treat spots or splatters while they're still damp can work the stain deeper into the material and make it harder to remove. Use paper towels or a soft cloth to blot up as much moisture as you can before allowing the shoes to dry naturally. Never use a blow dryer, direct sunlight, or other heat sources to shorten the drying time; this can cause the material to dry out and harden.
Once your suede basketball shoes are totally dry, use a suede brush to brush away any loose dirt or particles. When cleaning small areas, a toothbrush can also work. Start by brushing in the same direction as the nap's pattern or grain. For set-in grime, move on to a gentle back-and-forth motion if the spot won't budge. You can also use a soft towel in a similar manner to remove dirt and grime.
If you have scuff marks on your suede basketball shoes, rub them with a suede eraser. Remove general stains by dabbing them with vinegar. Draw out an oil stain by sprinkling it with cornstarch. Spray your shoes with a suede protectant to keep them safe from damage in the future.
If you have gum or wax on your suede basketball shoes, rub ice cubes on them to harden and remove them. Once the gum or wax feels hard to the touch, try using your suede brush to separate the residue from the fabric. Avoid using any household chemical cleaners or sticky residue removers on your suede shoes since they could stain or damage the fabric.
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Treat scratches with a leather marker or recolouring balm
If the scratch on your basketball shoes is light-coloured and stands out against the rest of the shoe, you can use a leather marker or recolouring balm to fill it in. Start by cleaning your shoes with a shoe brush or damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt. If you use a damp cloth, be sure to let your shoes dry completely before proceeding.
When filling in the scratch, match the colour of the leather marker or recolouring balm to your shoes as closely as possible. If using a leather marker, simply colour in the scratch, aiming for a close match with the surrounding leather. If using a recolouring balm (coloured shoe polish), apply it with a clean rag or cloth. You can also use a hair dryer to heat the leather, which will cause the scratch to disappear as the leather swells. Warm the scratched area with the hair dryer on medium heat, then massage the area with your fingers. Be careful not to overheat the leather, as this could also damage it.
Recolouring balm can also be used in conjunction with a hair dryer to fix deeper scratches. First, fill in the scratch with the balm, then use the hair dryer to warm the leather and massage the area with your fingers.
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Use olive oil for very shallow scratches
Olive oil can be used to repair very shallow scratches on basketball shoes, or any leather item. It is a popular, inexpensive, and quick fix for scratches.
First, clean the scratched area of any dirt or debris. Use a paper towel or cotton swab dipped in olive oil and gently rub the surface in small circles until no more dirt is visible. If the scratch is older, use sandpaper or cork to avoid damaging the leather fibres.
Next, dip a cotton ball or paper towel in olive oil and carefully dab the oil into the scratch. You can also use a cloth to rub the olive oil into the scratch in a circular motion. Leave the oil for around 10 minutes, then wipe away any excess with a clean rag or paper towel.
Finally, to keep your basketball shoes in the best condition, regular maintenance is required. Apply olive oil or a leather conditioner to the shoes regularly to keep the leather nourished and to replace the natural oils that are lost over time.
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Apply a protective spray to minimise future scratches
To minimise future scratches on your basketball shoes, you can apply a protective spray such as Crep Protect. This product repels most liquids, preventing them from penetrating and leaving stains. It is important to note that the spray should be applied evenly and lightly from a distance of about 20 cm. If you use too much or spray too closely, a white film may appear on the surface of leather sneakers.
Another option is Grip Spritz, a spray designed to improve sole traction and court grip. While it does not explicitly state scratch protection, it can help to minimise future scratches by preventing dust and debris from accumulating on the soles of your basketball shoes. It is safe for all athletic shoe types and materials, including rubber, leather, and synthetics.
Performance Grip Spray is another alternative, which is designed to clean and rejuvenate rubber shoe soles, boosting traction and refreshing the appearance of your shoes. This spray is also safe and environmentally friendly, being non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals.
These protective sprays can help to keep your basketball shoes looking new and performing well, reducing the likelihood of scratches and other types of damage. It is important to follow the instructions on the product you choose and to store any unused spray in a cool, dry place, away from any flames.
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Frequently asked questions
The method for removing scratches from basketball shoes depends on the material of the shoe. For leather shoes, you can use a leather marker or recolouring balm to fill in the scratch. For deeper scratches, fill them in using a leather cream polish that matches the colour of your shoes. For suede shoes, use a suede brush or towel to clean away surface debris, working with the direction of the material, not against it. You can also use a suede eraser to rub away any stubborn marks.
You can use white vinegar, olive oil, or petroleum jelly to remove scratches from leather shoes. Basic leather conditioner can also help to minimise the appearance of scratches.
Avoid using nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, dish soap, or other chemicals to remove scratches from leather shoes, as these can dry out and crack the leather.
To prevent scratches from appearing on your basketball shoes, you can add a protective spray such as Crep Protect to minimise how often you need to clean them.
