freshen your soles for summer

This is the ultimate, accessible list of ways you can achieve gleaming trainers without buying a new pair.

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Not everyone always wants to buy a new pair of trainers for the new season. At least one pair of trainers is always clung to, and despite the condition they are in, it is too hard to let go. Tips from the she steps community will guide you towards products to purchase and reinvigorate your soles, or simply a few tips that you can follow by using household products in your cupboard.

From the cupboard

“For white trainers, toothpaste with an old toothbrush then wipe it off” Gaby, London.

“Despite the name, this product works a treat to clean trainers. Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) can be bought from most household stores, but be sure to buy the powder and not the cream. I use BKF on shoes like Stan Smiths or the white rubber areas on Converse. To clean, damp a kitchen towel and sprinkle some of the BKF powder on the damp kitchen towel. Apply to the area of the trainers, rubbing the kitchen towel in circular motions. Any dark, grubby marks will start to shift. Wash the area cleaned with lukewarm water and dry. The trainers should come up like new!” she steps founder, London.

“It’s not necessarily cleaning but sometimes I put baking soda in them over night to stop them from smelling” Shannon, Luton.

“Baby wipes work amazingly well! They are portable and have the right amount of moisture on them to get [trainers] clean and sparkly without wetting them – oh and they smell nice too!” Dipti, The Cotswolds.

“White magic sponges are the best. They are incredible at cleaning anything from tea-stained mugs to dirt-riddled trainers. I swear by them for everything.” Lucy, Sheffield.

“To clean white rubber soles: Take bleach spray or powder, a few spoons, and mix in water. Take a toothbrush (that you're happy to give up) and dip in the bleach water and scrub away at your shoes. Wipe of with water and let dry. The bleaching is effective immediately and carries on a few hours after the shoes are dry.” Filippa, Stockholm.

In the shops

Crep Protect

Ignore the name. ‘Creps’ are actually a colloquial term for trainers, which means your trainer collection qualifies for this neatly packaged cleaning collection. All stored in a handy neoprene case, this hangover kit for trainers contains a shoe brush, microfibre cloth and Crep Protect’s Ultimate Shoe Cleaner. Do not underestimate the word ultimate here; this liquid cleans everything from leather to canvas to nubuck. Store it at home or pop it in your suitcase for SOS travel trainer emergencies.

Crep Protect Cure Cleaning Travel Kit, £11.20, amazon.co.uk

Jason Markk

Jason Markk products specialise in everything you need to get your trainers back to their former glory. The website stocks everything from soft travel shoe bags to cedar-scented shoe freshners.

To refresh your soles, she steps recommends:

• RTU foam. Short for ready-to-use, squirt the foam onto a shoe brush to clean all trainer materials quickly, without mess.

• Repel spray. This product literally does what it says on the tin; they protect your trainers from liquids, that could stain your trainers. Instead of purchasing a new can each time, fit the specially developed spray head onto a refill.

• Quick wipes 3 pack. Keep these handy in your bag should you ever have any urgent moments.

Jason Markk RTU foam, selected retailers only.

Jason Markk products are available at selected retailers in the UK. Check jasonmarkk.com for your nearest retailer.

Special service

If you want to give your trainers the complete TLC that they deserve, West London based company The Restory can complete this wish. Emily John, head of marketing at The Restory, said "We have hand painted some [trainers] that have come in to restore the colouring. We can provide personalisation or embellishments which is a bespoke service." The concept is simple. You book your service, the shoes are collected from a chosen address and the magic begins. Their Instagram often showcases the fine handywork that goes into restoring loved pieces. Check out @therestory_ for more ideas.

Do you know any other tips or helpful knowledge that the she steps community should know about? Comment below!

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