TidyLife.net is reader supported. This page uses affiliate links and when you click on an affiliate link, and make a purchase, we receive a small compensation at no cost to you. See our disclosure policy for more information.
We’ve all seen that timeless trademark Slide with the three white stripes painted across the top. The Adidas Slides have been around since the early 1970s and don’t seem to ever go out of style, just like Nike Slides. If you’ve got a pair, you probably love them and wear them often. Did you know you should be cleaning your Slides regularly?
Adidas originally designed the Slides to protect soccer player’s feet protected in locker rooms. Now the Adidas Slides are a stylish everyday sandal that is always top-rated for comfort and style. Easy to wear and easy to clean, these are a staple in many homes.
These shoes aren’t for just locker room use anymore. You’ll see people wear them while on trips to the grocery or even out to the movies. No matter what trip you are taking your Slides on, these sandals are likely picking up an excellent supply of dead skin, dirt and grime.
We’ll show you how to keep those iconic Adidas Slides clean and in tip-top shape so you can continue to wear them year over year.
What materials are Adidas Slides made of?
Adidas Slides are primarily made with or plastic uppers and footbeds. Some Slides are made with cork footbeds paired with uppers made with genuine leather, and some Slides are made with cloud foam.
Gather your materials together before getting started
You’ll want to know what material your Slides are made of before you proceed to clean them. For most Slides, cleaning is simple, and you only need a few supplies:
- A soft bristle toothbrush
- A bucket filled with warm water (Or Sink / Tub)
- Liquid laundry detergent
- A towel for drying
You will want to clean them regularly as Slides are traditionally worn without socks, making them susceptible to developing odors much quicker.
5 Steps to clean your rubber or plastic Adidas Slides:
- Start by mixing half a cap full of laundry detergent with the warm water so that it’s well mixed and sudsy.
- Next, place your Adidas Slides in the warm water and let them sit for up to 1 hour. Try not to leave them too long!
- Pull out the Slides and dump the water out into a sink. If you don’t have a laundry sink, a bathroom sink works just as well. Use the soft bristle toothbrush to scrub the nooks and crannies of the shoe to get out any deep lodged in dirt particles.
- Rinse the shoes off in the sink, ensuring all soap is removed from the surface.
- Towel dry as best as you can and leave the shoes out to air dry for the night.
How to clean other material types of Adidas Slides
If your Slides have a cork bed or Velcro strap closures, you wouldn’t want to submerge them in water. Use only water and a cloth to wipe down the shoes as best you can. Use can use a soft bristle toothbrush to clean up the cork soles.
If you happen to own a pair made with cloud foam, this is not to be cleaned with water. Use a soft towel to wipe down shoes regularly.
Cleaning leather Slides isn’t as complex as you might have thought initially. A quick, easy way is to rub a small amount of hand soap into a dish towel, working it into a lather. Gently use the towel to clean the leather straps and use a second towel to wipe the soap off. Dry with a microfiber towel.
How to prevent and remove odors from your Adidas Slides
You may not want to or even have time to clean your Adidas Slides as often as you should. Your Slides can develop an odor that can transfer to your feet. Here are a couple of techniques you can try to keep your Slides fresh in between washes:
- Try to air them out after each use. Let your Slides air outside in the sun for a short period before bringing them inside.
- Sprinkles the shoes with baking soda every few days or if you notice a smell, and let it sit overnight.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning Adidas Slides
Many models of Adidas Slides are made of multiple materials, such as plastic, cork, leather, and foam. To see what your Adidas Slides are made with, look for the tag or imprints on the bottom of the shoe for this information. You can also visit the Adidas website to locate the materials list by a quick search for your shoe.
You will want to use a mild soap such as a laundry detergent that won’t strip the materials.
You should aim to clean your Slides at least once a month if you use them regularly.
You might be able to find some details on the bottom of the Slide, but likely
It is not recommended you clean your Adidas Slides in the washing machine. The cycle can do more damage than good.
The Adidas Slides live on
Now that you’re the expert on caring for Adidas Slides, you can rest easy knowing your slides, with the proper care and attention, will last for decades to come. These popular slides pioneered by Adidas continue to be a popular fashion choice today.
If cleaning Adidas slides was not at the forefront of your mind, there may be many things you own that you may have never thought needed cleaning. You would be surprised at the household items that get overlooked every day that you should clean regularly. Take a look at the many cleaning guides available and learn how to correctly care for the many things in your home.