Nike Slides have been a staple in athletes’ and non-athletes gym bags and closets alike for decades. They are easy to slip on to run errands, post-race, or game for high school and college athletes and are one of the most comfortable Slides you can put on your feet.
A staple like that is bound to get dirty and dingy and will need a good cleaning here and there. If you are an athlete, those shoes are likely to develop an odor that is not too pleasant and one you would like to get rid of quickly and easily.
If you found your way to this article, then you most likely have some Slides in need of TLC. Below we will talk about how to clean Nike Slides and different methods depending on the material of Slides you own.
Let us get started and turn those smelly, dirty Nike Slides back into the multi-tasking slip-on shoes we all love.
Comfort & function = heavily worn Slides
When you find a pair of comfortable shoes that fit your feet perfectly, they become a go-to. We all have a pair or two of shoes in our closets like that. Most of us have some we keep in our cars, gym bags, and sitting by our front door. You throw them on to walk the dog, take out the garbage, grocery shop, or run errands.
Some of my favorites are my Nike Slides, and a close second is my Adidas Slides. Don’t ask about my shoe closet, it is a real embarrassment and obsession. Not only that, I am not ashamed that I have several pairs in different materials.
As one of my go-to shoes, I have learned the secrets to keeping them clean, looking, and smelling good, no matter how often they are worn. Great for the gym, the beach, and quickly running the garbage out to the can.
Before getting into the easiest cleaning methods, we should discuss the different materials Nike Slides come in. Their material will affect how you clean them. No matter the material, there is a method to clean your beloved sandals. We will keep them away from the trash and as a treasured closet favorite.
Material makes a difference when cleaning Nike Slides
Nike makes Slides of different materials, and you will want to make sure you know which ones you own when you are cleaning them. For example, the shower shoes are made of one solid piece of foam. They are specially designed for getting wet. These Slides will not be hurt when submerging in water. Others made with memory foam should not be fully submerged in water.
Leather Nike Slides can be treated similarly to how you would clean other shoes such as Nike Air Force 1s. If you are not 100% sure which you have, you can check out their website. The product details should point you in the right direction.
Below we break down the best cleaning methods for some of the most popular Nike Slides you may have in your closet.
How to clean your Nike Slides
If you ever went to college and lived in a dorm where you had to trudge across or down the hall with your shower caddy, then you are no stranger to Nike shower shoes. No one wants to be barefoot in a communal bathroom with shared showers. I cringe just thinking about it.
If you had this experience, then you also know how disgusting shower shoes can get. Whether a current college student or an adult who showers at the gym or YMCA, I am here to give you the easy method to keep those Slides squeaky clean instead of slimy and gross.
Required Cleaning Materials
- Baking soda
- Toothbrush
- Warm water
- Soft cloth
Next, onto the easy steps to clean your foam shower Slides.
Follow these steps to clean your Nike Slides.
- Run your Slides under warm water, so the surface of them is wet. Make sure to get the footbed and underside wet, especially if they perforated bottoms.
- Sprinkle baking soda all over your Slides. They should look coated in white.
- Scrub the Slides with the toothbrush using a circular motion. If the baking soda is not making a thin paste, you can dip your toothbrush into warm water and continue scrubbing.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes. The time will allow the baking soda to take care of any odor in the shoes.
- Rinse your Slides thoroughly under running warm water.
- Let the Slides air dry. If there is any residue left, you can wet a soft cloth and wipe down the shoes.
That is it! Follow these easy steps for cleaning your Nike Slides to guarantee you are not the person in the locker room and showers with the gross, smelly shower shoes. You are welcome!
How to Clean Leather Nike Slides
Leather Nike Slides have a classic, effortless vibe to them. They are easy to throw on with a pair of jeans, skirt, or sundress. Nike Slides made of leather are easy to clean, but you should avoid soaking or submerging them, as they can cause damage to the leather.
The process is similar to how you would clean leather sneakers. It only takes a few products and a little bit of time to make sure they continue to look their best and are well-conditioned. Remember that leather is a natural material. It will respond best to gentle cleaning and conditioning.
Required Cleaning Materials
- Warm water
- Mild detergent
- Soft cloths
- Leather shoe conditioner
- Baking soda (optional)
Once you have all your products gathered, you can move on to the cleaning process.
Follow these steps to clean your Leather Nike Slides.
- Wipe off any dry dirt or debris on the Slides.
- Dampen a soft cloth and add a drop of mild detergent to the wet cloth. You want to avoid too much water or soap. The goal is to use just enough to get your Nike Slides clean.
- Use the cloth in a gentle circular motion to clean the shoes.
- A second slightly dampened cloth without soap should wipe off any excess soap.
- Follow the directions on the leather shoe conditioner you purchased. Some are sprays, while others are balms.
If your leather Nike Slides are particularly smelly, you can place them in a resealable bag overnight before washing them using the above method. The baking soda should have them smelling fresh. Enjoy your easy, breezy, effortlessly cool leather Slides!
How to Clean Nike Slides with Magic & Memory Foam
Memory foam is in so many products nowadays. You can find it in pillows, mattresses and of course, shoes. The way it contours to your foot creates a top-of-the-line comfort cushion. This comfort level has probably made your memory foam slides one of your favorite shoes.
Being a favorite is good, but the smell and the dingy look that comes along with it or not. Fear not because memory foam cleaning does not have to be a mystery anymore. You can care for your slides easily and make sure they continue looking and feeling great.
There is some debate on this, but many manufacturers do not recommend saturating or submerging memory foam slides in water. They advise treating them with care differently.
Below you will find the products necessary to clean your memory foam slides.
Required Cleaning Materials
- Warm water
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- Baking soda (optional)
That is it! Only two things are needed to clean your slides of memory foam. Here are the easy steps to create the magic of squeaky clean sandals with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser:
- Make sure your slides are free of any dry or residual dirt first.
- Wet the eraser under warm water.
- Scrub away!
The great thing about this method is it does not require you to soak or submerge them. If your memory foam slides have a smell to them, you can follow the same steps as with leather sandals. Place the shoes in a resealable bag of baking soda overnight before washing them with the eraser. The baking soda should draw out any residual odors from your shoes.
All the comfort & all the clean
Hopefully, this article helped you breathe a bit easier knowing that your beloved sandals do not have to be thrown in the trash can because they are dirty and smelly. Knowing how to clean Nike slides quickly and easily means you can extend the life of your shoes, and you will not have to be the person in the gym, store, or mall that everyone is wondering where that smell is coming from and why their shoes are so hideous.
Nike slides have been around a long time. They are not going anywhere, so it’s time to keep yours looking fresh and in constant rotation in your wardrobe. Your car, gym bag, and shoe organizer will thank you. Now, get out there and rock your squeaky clean Nike slides!
If you are looking for cleaning methods for other Nike shoes sure to browse our other cleaning articles.