We’ve all been there. After years and years of researching and saving up, you’ve just picked up your holy grail. You take them out for a spin for the very first time, and out of nowhere… Boom! They get scratched up. You look down, and there it is. A massive scuff. Before you panic and have a mini breakdown, stop what you’re doing, take a breath, and read this article. We’ve pinpointed three different ways that you can fix those scratches on your sneakers and get them back to boxfresh condition! So, let’s get to it!
Before you use this trio of techniques, make sure you practice on an old pair of sneakers first and not on your grail. So, dive into the back of your wardrobe, grab those old adidas or Nike beaters and experiment on them. This way, you won’t need to ruin the trainer that you’ve worked so hard to cop!
Now, I know what you’re thinking, not everyone has a bottle of Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol just lying around. But if you do, that’s great! If not, don’t worry. Hand sanitizer, which is probably something that we all have lying around the house, will do the job. It’s essentially 99.9% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, so it’s basically the same thing.
If you have a black mark or stain on your leather trainers, try dampening a cloth with this solution and gently rub them in a circular motion until the stain disappears. This method should work for a huge variety of surface level issues.
Just like the Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, Nail Varnish Remover works great for attacking those marks that just don’t come off when scrubbing with a brush and washing up liquid. Of course, use it with caution, and like the rubbing alcohol, apply it in small quantities directly onto the affected areas and consider rinsing the area with water once finished.
It’s worth noting that nail varnish does have quite a strong smell, so if you’re planning on wearing your kicks next day, we’d advise you not to use this technique yet. Let them air dry for at least 72 hours first before rocking them again.
If the damage is particularly serious, Renovating Repair Cream might be the way to go. Trim any of the loose leather and apply this solution directly onto it using your finger. Massage it into the leather and try to smooth it out. Allow it to dry, and once the cream dries, it will not rub off onto clothing.
And that’s that! If your Air Jordan or New Balance have a scratch, you can use these three techniques to fix it. Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol can be used for most scuffs and marks, and Nail Varnish Remover works great too, but the smell can be a bit more for some. Finally, if the damage is on the severe side, Renovating Repair Cream is worth considering. So you have scratches on your sneakers, give these a go!
