How to Wash Superga Sneakers

Superga is an Italian footwear company that’s known for their tennis shoes. They offer a wide range of prints, colors, and fabrics, for men, women, and kids. 

More About Superga 

Superga was founded in 1911 by Walter Martiny, who started to produce rubber-soled footwear. In 2011, the Steve Madden corporation acquired the license to sell and distribute their products in North America. Not long afterward, they opened their first store in Soho, New York City. 

Over the years, they’ve collaborated with numerous celebrities including Rita Ora, Suki Waterhouse, Alexa Chung, and Binx Walton. 

About Their Footwear Collection 

Superga sells a variety of sneakers including platforms, lace ups, slip-ons, and high tops. They also have an organic collection, which features an organic canvas cotton upper and an all-natural rubber outsole. 

Compared to other footwear brands, their products are also relatively affordable. It depends on the style but generally speaking, you’re looking at around $65 to $90 for a pair. They also have a clearance section where you can take advantage of extra discounts. 

Tip: Sign up for their email letter list and you can get 20% off your first order.

Taking Care of Superga Footwear

Their products are made from durable materials, which are designed to withstand everyday wear. Like all shoes, however, they’ll inevitably get dirty. To prevent that, it’s highly recommended that you use a shoe protectant spray. It’ll provide an invisible coating, which will protect the material from water, dirt, and stains.

Depending on the shoe, you might also be able to put them in the washing machine. Take their Cotu collection, for example, you can machine wash them with cold water. 

What Materials Are Their Shoes Made Of?

Their shoes are made from various materials from cotton to moleskin. Here’s what you need to know.

Cotton

Cotton is hypoallergenic, which makes it ideal for those who suffer from allergies. It’s also comfortable, lightweight, and easy to clean. On top of that, it’s fully breathable (ie. your feet will remain cooler in hot conditions). The only drawback is that it tends to shrink if exposed to heat. 

Moleskin

Moleskin is a heavy woven cotton fabric that’s brushed and sheared on one side. If anything, it resembles the fur of a mole, thus its name. Not only will it stand up against tough winds and chills, but it’s also breathable.

Suede

Suede is a type of leather that’s known for its fuzzy finish. Made from the underside of animal skin, it’s incredibly soft, lightweight, and luxurious. The thinness of the material also gives it a smooth, appealing appearance. Compared to other materials, however, it tends to get dirty easily.

How to Wash Superga Classics

Their cotton classics can be thrown in the washing machine. As for the others, they should be washed by hand with cold water.

Throwing Superga Shoes In the Washer

Take out the laces and wash them separately with soapy water. Use a brush to remove any excess dirt from the shoes (don’t forget the soles) before putting them in a mesh laundry bag. A clean pillowcase can also be used if you don’t have a mesh bag. It’ll keep the shoes together so that they won’t be thrown around while the machine runs.

Don’t wash the shoes with your clothes. However, you can add in a few towels—they’ll help balance the weight so that the cycle will run more smoothly. 

Measure one scoop of ACTIVE detergent powder and pour it in the machine (into the dispenser or directly into the drum). It’s important that you don’t add too much, otherwise, soap residue can build up and that can trap in dirt and debris. Also, avoid using bleach as it can damage the material.

Next, choose your wash settings. For shoes, you want to be extra gentle, which is why you want to select a delicate cycle. It’ll minimize the amount of agitation, which will keep them looking like new. And make sure to use cold water. Hot water can damage the adhesives holding the rubber sole together. Not to mention that it can cause the material to shrink.

Take the shoes out of the washing machine once the cycle is finished. Don’t put them in the dryer. Rather, you want to let them air dry in a well-ventilated space. You can speed up the process by using a dehumidifier or fan. Stuffing the shoes with paper towels or newspapers will also help soak up the excess water. 

The shoes should be completely dry before you put the laces back in. 

Hand Washing Superga Shoes 

Prepare a bath for your shoes—you can use a bucket or a sink, as long as you can fit them in comfortably. Fill it with cold water so that it’s 3/4 full and mix in 1/2 a scoop of ACTIVE detergent. You may have to swish the water around to dissolve the powder. 

Take out the laces and place them in the soapy water (consider pre-treating any stains). Assuming that the shoes can be machine washed, place them in the sink so that they’re completely immersed in the solution. Use a brush to remove excess dirt from the upper and soles, if necessary. 

Leave the shoes in the sink for 20 minutes. Let them soak in the detergent mixture—that’ll get rid of any dirt and mud that’s embedded in the fabric. 

Rinse the shoes and laces thoroughly after soaking. Hold them under a stream of water until it runs clear—there shouldn’t be any soap suds left. Wipe them down with a clean cloth so that they’re not dripping wet and place them in a well-ventilated room so that they can dry naturally. Consider stuffing the inside with newspapers or paper towels to speed up the process. 

Wait until the shoes are fully dry, usually between 8-12 hours, before putting the laces back in.

Note: Shoes that can’t be machine washed should be spot-treated. Dissolve a small amount of ACTIVE detergent in a bowl of water and apply it to the stained areas with a soft brush. Gently rub it in with small, circular motions. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes before wiping it clean with a damp cloth. Let it air dry afterward.

How to Wash Superga Slip-Ons

Their slip-ons can be washed in a similar fashion as the classics (assuming that the particular model is machine washable).

Machine Washing Superga Slip-Ons

Clean the shoe surface with a brush to remove any excessive dirt and place them in a laundry bag (use a clean pillowcase if you don’t have one). Don’t put the shoes directly into the machine as they will get damaged as the cycle runs. 

Zip up the bag so that the slip-ons are secure and place them in the washing machine. Don’t wash them together with your clothes. It’s best to wash them separately with a few towels added in to help balance the weight. You don’t want the shoes to be tossed around while they’re being washed as that can damage the shoes and the washing machine.

Add one scoop of ACTIVE detergent and run a delicate wash cycle. Avoid using the normal setting as the agitation can damage the shoes. And make sure to use cold water as hot water can cause permanent damage to the shoe material. Not only is it bad for the adhesives, but it can also warp and shrink the upper material.

Let the shoes air dry after washing. You can speed up the process by placing them in front of a fan or a dehumidifier. It can take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours (sometimes more) before they’re fully dry. Don’t leave them out in the sun as UV rays can cause the fabric to fade. Not to mention that the heat can warp certain materials. 

Hand-Washing Superga Slip-Ons In the Sink

Fill up a clean sink with cool water. Add half a scoop of ACTIVE detergent and agitate the water until the mixture becomes sudsy. 

Tip: You can add some baking soda if odor is a problem. Sprinkle a generous amount into the slip-ons and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before proceeding to wash the item.

Place the slip-ons in the solution after removing any excess dirt with a brush. The shoes should be completely saturated with the detergent mixture (only if the particular style is machine washable). Let them sit for approximately 20 minutes—that’ll give the detergent time to get rid of any dirt or oils that are on the shoes.

Turn on the faucet. Hold the slip-ons under the stream of running water to rinse off the detergent. Continue for 1 to 2 minutes, until all soap suds are gone. Alternatively, you can refill the sink with clean water from the tap and rinse them in there.

Wipe the outside of the slip-ons with a clean towel so that they’re not dripping wet and let them dry naturally indoors. Don’t use the dryer. You can place newspapers or paper towels inside to get rid of some of the excess water. Using a dehumidifier can also speed up the drying process.