Skip to main content

How to Keep Your Kicks Fresh and Clean with Jason Markk

dirty sneakers
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Don’t let dirty shoes ruin your outfit.

For your outfit’s sake, there’s nothing worse than a pair of dirty sneakers. And whether it’s a new pair that got dingy from a music festival or a vintage pair you’ve had since the OG Air Force One days, it’s time to freshen up your footwear with these sneaker cleaning tips, shared exclusively with The Manual by Jason Angsuvarn, founder and president of Jason Markk.

Jason Markk is a line of premium shoe-cleaning solutions for the growing populous of sneakerheads. The brand was born a decade ago from Angsuvarn’s savvy sneaker fabric know-how, and since then he’s been referred to as the world’s most trusted shoe cleaner.

Today, Angsuvarn’s flagship Jason Markk concept store in L.A. is not only a platform for sales, but the only one-stop drop-off sneaker care and cleaning shop in the world. Its clientele includes star Lakers athletes like Jordan Clarkson and Nick Yong (aka Swaggy P), and musicians like Kelly Rowland and Schoolboy Q.

So… we got the dirt on how exactly Angsuvarn keeps kicks so clean, and whether you really can clean stains from suede. (It takes one step you probably aren’t doing.)

Jason Markk Repel
Jason Markk Repel Image used with permission by copyright holder

1. Take preventive measures and use a water and stain repellant on all your shoes. Jason Markk sells a premium water repellant called Repel ($17). It’s water-based as opposed to solvent-based, which are very harsh chemicals that must be sprayed outside. With water-based, you don’t get that harmful experience.
2. Watch the fabric. The hardest stains, by far, are any on canvas (i.e. Vans). That material is a killer because it’s basically cotton fibers that hold stains very well. Also watch the type of stain. More acidic stains like wine or mustard hold quicker and saturate deeper into the material, making them hard to bring up. If you’re wearing canvas and get a stain, you want to treat it quickly, even if you’re out for the day. Get to a restroom stat and get cold water and a paper towel and stat to blot it out. That way when you get home at the end of the day, the stain has been pre-treated.
3. Invest in a soft-bristle brush and dry brush regularly to maintain your suede shoes. Everyone is scared to clean suede, but it’s easy as long as you have the right tech. If you don’t know the proper technique you could end up ruining it. The mistake people make is they treat suede like it’s an all leather shoe- like an Air Force One. They take the brush and soap and rub the suede and let it dry. The nap of the suede then mats down and turns into flat leather before hardening. Then it’s nearly impossible to bring the nap back. The easy, correct technique to treat suede is to apply soap scrub, clean, then take a microfiber towel and absorb as much of the water and soap as you can. Then take a soft-bristle suede brush ($12) to the fabric as it’s drying, reviving the nap.

suede cleaning kit Jason Markk
The Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit Image used with permission by copyright holder

4. Give your shoes a quick wipe down with a Quick Wipe on your way out.
5. Drop off your all-white everything sneakers to the Jason Markk L.A. Flagship and let them take care of them. The store itself is three years old and the idea for a drop-off service was born from smaller activations around the world. “I was opening the store and decided, on a whim, to offer this service,” Angsuvarn said. “It has become the star of the store and our customers appreciate how our sneaker experts never try to push products. They just want to revive your kicks. When you pick up your shoes you also get them bagged with a complimentary shoe bag, which is great for travel.”
6. Change your shoelaces. Since laces are close to the ground, they get dingy over time. People will clean the upper, midsole, and everything but the laces, which is always a no-no. You’ll end up with super fresh kicks, but your laces look dingy. People overlook the laces. If you just replace them, it makes a world of difference. It’s the easiest thing you can do to breathe new life into them.

“Clean shoes represents pride in yourself and your outfit,” Angsuvarn adds. “Clean shoes pull everything together.”

Editors' Recommendations

Jahla Seppanen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
Swatch, Tate partner for watch collection that literally puts art on your wrist
Swatch x Tate Gallery collaboration inspired by paintings
Swatch x Tate collaboration watches

Swatch, renowned for its quirky designs and commitment to self-expression, has joined forces with the prestigious Tate galleries to create an extraordinary collection of Swatch watches that blur the lines between art and utility. The Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection isn't simply a collaboration but a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the appeal of wearable art.

Each Swatch watch is dedicated to the artwork of its respective artist. From Turner's Scarlet Sunset to Bourgeois's Spirals, every watch tells a unique story. Whether you're drawn to the whimsical charm of Marc Chagall or the bold simplicity of Fernand Léger, there's a watch in this collection to suit every taste and personality. This partnership further cements Swatch's position as a brand that bridges the gap between art and simple timekeeping with bold designs and vibrant colors.
The Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection: Wearable art

Read more
78 pairs of Gucci sneakers just had their prices slashed
A man wearing the Ace tennis sneakers.

The spring and summer months are the perfect time to upgrade your sneaker collection. With fresh styles and lightweight materials, sneakers are the best shoes for the warmer months for everyday wear, traveling or simply hanging out at a bar. Sneakers are now more popular than ever with men wearing them in both casual and formal situations. Here is a definitive guide to wearing a suit with sneakers if you want to combine a luxury look with a fresh new pair of kicks.

Right now, you can shop more than 70 pairs of Gucci sneakers on sale at Gilt. You can get up to $275 dollars off casual and fashion sneakers from this coveted brand in a mix of colors, styles and materials. Click the button below to start browsing these designer sneakers before time runs out.

Read more
Citizen celebrates 100th anniversary with throwback limited edition pocket watch
Citizen debuts 100th anniversary pocket watch
Citizen 100th anniversary pocket watch

Citizen watches have a legacy that spans a century, with a name that evokes reverence, innovation, and enduring quality. Now, in a momentous celebration of its 100th anniversary, Citizen unveils a breathtaking homage to their inaugural masterpiece: the Special Limited Edition Pocket Watch. That's right, a pocket watch for men. Since the success of Peaky Blinders and peak Thomas Shelby fame, pocket watches have garnered a somewhat cult following and Citizen has jumped on that bandwagon with a celebratory timepiece of their own.
Citizen watches: A brief history

In 1868, Japan underwent a significant transformation as the Edo period concluded, marking the end of samurai dominance. The dawn of the Meiji era saw Japan embrace modernization and industrial growth until 1912. By the 1920s, the widespread adoption of imported pocket watches reflected Japan's burgeoning participation in global trade.

Read more