How to Clean Filas

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Fila is a sportswear brand widely known for their sneakers. In the event that your shoes get dirty or stained, Fila’s official website suggests only wiping down their shoes with soap and water. If these cleaning tips don’t work for you, test out some more general cleaning suggestions for leather and mesh that aren’t officially recommended or supported by Fila.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Soap and Water for Basic Cleaning

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    Soak a rag with warm water, then wring it out over a sink. You can use dish soap for this, if you’d like. [1]
    • Only use soaps with a “gentle” or “delicate” label, and never use harsh detergents.
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    Focus on especially dirty sections, like the outsole, midsole, and outer surface of the shoe. Apply a gentle amount of force until your shoes begin looking clean again. [2]

    Tip: While it isn’t officially recommended on Fila’s website, some people have successfully used a soft-bristled cleaning brush in tandem with soapy water to clean off their shoes. [3]

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    Find a cool, dry place to keep your shoes where they won’t be exposed to humidity and moisture. Leave your shoes in this spot for a day or so, or until they feel dry to the touch. [4]
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    Note that many Fila shoes are made with some variety of leather, which doesn’t make them ideal candidates for the washer. If you put these sneakers in the wash, there’s a good chance that they won’t last as long. [6]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing Tough Stains

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    Mix 2 cups (470 mL) of water and 2 cups (470 mL) of white vinegar in a bowl together. Dip a cleaning cloth into the mixture and start wiping down the surface of your Fila shoes. After coating the surface of your sneakers with the vinegar, scrub it off with the washcloth. [8]
    • Vinegar works best on recent stains.
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    Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and baking soda together in a small container or bowl. Rub the mixture over your shoes with a washcloth and let the cleaning solution sit for 15 minutes. Use some elbow grease to rub down the area in question, then use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any residue. [9]
    • If your shoes are especially dirty, try using a dry, soft-bristled brush to get rid of any obvious dirt clinging to the shoes.
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    Visit a shoe store or check online for bottles of cleaner designed specifically for sneakers. Use the provided brush to coat your Filas, then follow the bottle’s instructions to see when you can wipe off the cleaner.
    • Compare the shoebox and the cleaner to ensure that the cleaner is safe to use on your Filas.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Polishing and Protecting Filas

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    Pour a small, grape-sized amount of leather polish onto a small washcloth. Rub the polish over the entire surface of your leather Filas. Once you’re done, use a soft, flannel cloth to buff and polish your shoes. [10]
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    Squeeze a pea-sized amount of unscented moisturizer on a towel or rag, then work it into the surface of your Fila shoes. Focus on any portion of your shoes that look dull or scuffed up. [11]
    • Once you’ve rubbed in the lotion, you don’t need to wipe or rinse it out of your footwear.
    • There are also special leather conditioners you can use to keep your shoes hydrated and prevent cracking. [12]
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    Search online or in a shoe store for a package of shoe wipes, which you can use in the event of spills or other messes. If you spill something on your Filas by accident, use a wipe to clean your shoes off quickly. [13]
    • If you don’t have any shoe wipes, use makeup removing towelettes instead.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I wash my Filas?
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    It's really not a good idea to wash sneakers, tennis shoes, or any leather footwear, so the answer is no. If you can machine-wash your Filas, it should say so on the tag inside of your shoe. Still, it's going to be much safer to clean your Filas by hand if you care about how long your shoes last.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Using Soap and Water for Basic Cleaning

      • Cloth
      • Water
      • Gentle soap
      • Soft-bristled brush
      • Container

      Removing Tough Stains

      • White vinegar
      • Gentle soap
      • Water
      • Container
      • Baking soda
      • Sneaker cleaner

      Polishing and Protecting Filas

      • Leather polish
      • Skin moisturizer
      • Shoe wipes
      • Makeup removing wipes (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a47179/how-to-clean-shoes/
      2. ↑ https://www.fila.com/customer-service/customer-service/cs-FAQ.html
      3. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6kwyOJ4gD9k&t=4m7s
      4. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      5. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      6. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      7. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.chatelaine.com/style/fashion/how-to-clean-white-sneakers/
      9. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-to-clean-sneakers-depending-on-material
      1. ↑ https://www.sportsrec.com/7096048/the-best-ways-to-clean-suede-leather-tennis-shoes
      2. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a47179/how-to-clean-shoes/
      3. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      4. ↑ https://www.chatelaine.com/style/fashion/how-to-clean-white-sneakers/

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