Gio Goi

CLEAN YOUR ACT UP, SON!

Keeping your kicks clean can be a hard slog!

These days everything seems disposable and for many of us when that fresh-out-of-the-box glow fades our trainers fall by the wayside and are out on their ear.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Top footwear designer at streetwear brand Gio-Goi gives Maxim the insider low-down on prolonging the shelf-life of your kicks and keeping them clean and crispy all year round.

Gio-Goi shoe designer Adam Ward, who has designed shoes for some of the world’s top brands, knows a thing or two about shoe care and brings you these handy tips to give your kicks the life they deserve.

1) Trainers are made to be worn so make sure you’re protected when you’re getting down and dirty...
Prevention is better than cure so Adam recommends using protective sprays like Scotchguard® to create an invisible barrier from dirt and liquids. This is great for use on leather and suede shoes, but also for canvas shoes.

2) Clean your act up...
Although tempting, avoid putting your trainers in the washing machine. They’ll curl up and lose their shape. No one likes cleaning but don’t shy away from a bit of elbow grease. Adam recommends cleaning your kicks with hot soapy water and a good old-fashioned nailbrush. It’s also worth investing in a suede brush with rubber teeth to bring back the fluff to suede after cleaning.

3) Lets face it, when you live in the UK, your feet aren’t always going to stay clean and dry...
Adam stresses that you should try to keep your trainers as dry as possible, but if they do get wet he usually stuffs his trainers with newspaper to absorb excess moisture and reduce unpleasant smells.

4) Lace up...
Adam says that adding new laces will do wonders for giving your favourite kicks a new lease of life.

So there you have it. Treat them mean and keep them CLEAN!