How to Care for Custom Air Force 1s: The Complete Guide

A pair of hand-painted custom Air Force 1s is a one-off piece of wearable art. Look after them properly and the paint will stay sharp for years. Here is exactly how we recommend caring for your customs, from the first wear to a deep clean.

Before your first wear

Every pair of Boundless custom Air Force 1s is hand-painted to order and ready to wear straight out of the box. To give them the best start:

• Spray them with a water and stain repellent made for leather trainers. Hold the can about 20cm away, apply a light even coat, and let them dry overnight.
• Put shoe trees or scrunched paper inside when you are not wearing them. This helps reduce creasing across the toe box, which is where paint is most likely to wear.

Everyday cleaning

Little and often is the key. Wiping your trainers after a few wears stops dirt building up and grinding into the paint.

1. Knock off any loose dirt with a soft, dry brush.
2. Mix a few drops of mild soap into warm water.
3. Dampen a soft cloth or microfibre, wring it out well, and gently wipe the painted areas. Do not scrub.
4. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove any soap.
5. Let them air dry at room temperature, away from radiators and direct sunlight.

Cleaning the midsole and laces

The white midsole shows dirt fastest. You can use a slightly firmer brush here, but keep it away from any painted sections, especially around the AIR detail on designs like Sunset Storm. Laces can be removed and hand washed in soapy water, then left to dry before relacing.

What to avoid

• The washing machine. Never put custom trainers in the wash. The heat, water and tumbling will crack and lift the paint.
• Soaking or submerging. Keep them out of standing water and avoid heavy rain where you can.
• Harsh chemicals. Bleach, acetone, magic erasers and alcohol wipes can strip the paint and the finish.
• Direct heat. Do not dry them on a radiator or with a hairdryer.

Storing your customs

Store your trainers somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, which can fade bright colourways over time. Neon and pastel designs such as Neon Flow and Pastel Dream benefit most from being kept in their box between wears.

Dealing with creases and scuffs

Some creasing is normal on any pair of Air Force 1s. Wearing the right size and using shoe trees keeps it to a minimum. If you pick up a scuff, clean the area gently first, as most marks sit on top of the finish and wipe away. For deeper damage, contact us and we can advise on a touch-up.

Quick care checklist

• Protect with a leather-safe repellent spray before wearing.
• Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. Never scrub.
• Air dry away from heat.
• No washing machine, no soaking, no harsh chemicals.
• Store with shoe trees, out of the sun.

Find your next pair

Looking for your next statement pair? Browse our full range of hand-painted custom Air Force 1 trainers, or explore the weathered Dystopian collection and bold designs like Grime Jungle Camo and Nexus III. Every pair is designed and hand-painted to order in the UK.