Revive King
Jan 15, 2024
How to Remove Yellowing or Oxidation on Bottom Soles
Provided How-To Tutorial by Sneaker Care Professionals at NuLife Kicks
We all have that one pair of kicks that we would buy over and over if money wasn't a factor. Now a days, sneakers are hot selling items that make it challenging for you to find releases in-store and at retail costs. So do you wear your prized kicks or store them for special occasions? They both come at a cost: shoes getting dirty or crumbling over time. As a fellow sneakerhead, I encourage you to wear your kicks. Develop a shoe cleaning routine, and keep your kicks fresh and clean.
But what if you start to notice some slight yellowing? Can it be removed or do I call it quits and officially designate them as beaters? As a chemist, don't worry, that's oxidation and it can be removed.
Table of Content
- What is Oxidation
- Products Needed
- Additional Tools
- How-To Instructions
- Conclusion
What is Oxidation?
Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs when a substance reacts with oxygen. In the context of shoes, oxidation can contribute to discoloration and yellowing of materials, especially when exposed to environmental factors over time. It's a natural process that affects various materials, including those used in shoe construction.
"Shoes Speak Louder Than Words"
- Behalf of All Sneaker Enthusiasts
Top 4 Products Needed
Nu Antidote
Nu Antidote is an evolutionary shoe cleaner designed to clean and to remove aged yellowing. Engineered by our team of chemists, this all natural shoe cleaner has powerful cleaning strength but gentle enough not to damage your fabric materials.
This easy to use sneaker cleaner can be used on leathers, mesh, fly knit, and many other materials.
NuSole Brush
The NuSole Brush is a super stiff shoe cleaning brush designed for midsoles and bottom soles to remove stubborn dirt and grime.
The handled brush allows you to comfortably scrub the hard to clean areas with ease. The bristles are 10x stiffer than the leading shoe cleaning brush. Unlike wire bristles, the plastic bristles do not puncture or scrape plastics and rubbers.
Nu Nylon Scrub
The NuNylon Scrub is a woven shoe cleaning sponge that loosens dirt particles with ease. Use this sponge on textured surfaces and mesh like fabrics.
Interchange this scrub with the NuSole Brush when cleaning bottom soles for maximum clarity.
Nu Eraser Sponge
The NuEraser Sponge is a shoe cleaning sponge that removes scuffs and dirt with ease. Use this sponge on smoother surfaces like foam, plastics, rubbers and leathers.
Interchange this sponge with the NuSole Brush and NuNylon Scrub.
** This sponge can remove certain paints on leathers. Use with caution.
Additional Cleaning Tools
Warm Water
Water acts as a highway for shoe cleaning. Spray your shoe and dip your tools in water prior to spraying will help the Nu Antidote travel, creating less effort in your scrubbing.
Air Compressor
Whether you're cleaning bottom soles or fabric uppers, the air compressor can help blow our excess water to avoid water stains.
* a microfiber towel can be used alternatively
UV Lights or IceBox
UV lights are the catalyst to removing yellowing with the Nu Antidote. Direct sunlight can be used as an alternative to UV LED lights. This stage is required to remove yellowing.
How-To Remove Oxidation, or Yellowing
Clean the Bottom Soles
Start by removing rocks or any gunk from the soles. Spray the bottom soles with the Nu Antidote, dip the tool in water and also spray with the Nu Antidote. Scrub the surface to remove the remaining dirt.
Repeat the process with the NuNylon Scrub and NuEraser Sponge.
Although the visible dirt may have been removed. Alternating between these three tools will produce maximum efficiency.
Rinse and Dry
Rinse the shoe with warm water to flush out any remaining dirt and grime.
Use the air compressor to blow out dirt from tight crevices while drying the shoe.
Place Under UV Lights
After drying the shoes, look closely at the grooves to ensure you've removed as much dirt as possible. The more microscopic particles you remove during the clean, the easier it is for the UV's to remove layers of aged yellowing.
Place your shoes under direct UV lights for at LEAST 6 hours up to 24 hours. The time will depend on the current conditions of the shoes: wears, age, materials ect.
Repeat for Desired Results
Results will vary by user for many different factors: Quality of cleaning, power of UV source, shoe conditions.
If you're looking to get clearer soles or better results, simple spray the soles with the Nu Antidote, scrub with the NuEraser Sponge, rinse, dry and place under the UV lights again. Repeat this process until you've achieved the results you desire.
Conclusion
Although there are other oxidation reversal methods out there, the Nu Antidote is the first shoe cleaner that has the capabilities to remove yellowing. Traditional sauces pose risk factors like traction loss, burned materials, irritated skin and more that may make this option inconvenient. The Nu Antidote is a great alternative to sole sauce that is a low-risk when considering damaging the materials. Pair it with the proper tools, and BOOM, you're in the game.
With Sneaker Love,
Revive King
People Also Read
Nu Antidote Blog - Why are my sneakers yellow
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