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Care and Maintenance

RECYCLING TRAINERS WITH JOGON & GOLA

Posted on February 14, 2023

Each year over 33 million pairs of running shoes are discarded into landfills, despite many still having plenty of life left in them.

Whilst this may cast your well-loved sneakers out of sight, their environmental impact is still prevalent.

But what if we told you there’s a way to do some good with your pre–loved trainers?

Here at Gola, we’ve partnered with JogOn and EVRI to help reduce the global impact of your well-loved trainers. Read on for everything you need to know to get involved, including how to recycle trainers and the benefits of doing so.

Multiple pre-loved trainers scattered together against a white background

About JogOn
Recycling running shoes: Why is it important?
How to recycle trainers with Gola & JogOn

About JOGON

Led by founder and CEO Tony Piedade, JogOn is a small but mighty team brimming with passion and ambition. The aim is to keep trainers out of landfills and provide pre-loved running shoes with a second chance at life.

Over 18 billion shoes are purchased annually, with 33 million estimated to end up in landfills. However, most of these are in good enough condition to be worn again or safely recycled into brand-new products.

JogOn aims to improve the process of how shoes are discarded at the end of their life and deliver unwanted trainers to people who need them most. With this in mind, the team helps put these trainers to good causes, from collecting and inspecting used trainers to distributing them to various hubs around the world.

To date, JogOn has kept 1 million pairs of trainers out of landfills!

Recycling running shoes: Why is it important?

Running shoes are one of the most popular footwear styles, whether worn for fashion or to aid sports performance.

With this in mind, JogOn’s project to help reduce the impact of running shoes at their life’s end is essential. Below, we’ve covered the top three reasons why.

Reduce landfill waste

Running shoes are one of the most popular footwear styles and one of the biggest contributors to UK landfills. With this in mind, recycling running shoes reduces landfill waste and helps reduce pollution.

Reduce energy consumption

Using recycled fabrics and materials uses much less energy than collecting new, raw materials from the environment. For example, manufacturers can source natural materials like rubber from recycled running shoes, preventing the need to disrupt natural habits often damaged or destroyed by the sourcing process.

Help others

JogOn distributes shoes to charities, non-profit organisations and groups from developing nations worldwide, so by recycling your running shoes, you are also helping to provide for those in need.

How to recycle trainers with Gola & JogOn

Every pair of recycled sneakers makes a difference and getting involved couldn’t be easier.

Simply tie your trainers together by the laces and package them securely in a bag or box. Then head to our shipping partner, EVRI, for a prepaid postage label and drop them off at your closest drop-off point. That’s it!

Whether you’re due a shoe sort-out or have a pair hiding in your car boot, recycle your trainers and make a difference today with JogOn and Gola!

How to Clean White Trainers

Posted on September 29, 2022

A pair of white trainers are a wardrobe staple for effortlessly adding a laid-back aesthetic to any outfit. In canvas, leather or suede options, they are versatile in matching minimalistic looks or dressed-up styling.

Scuffs and scrapes on your white shoes are inevitable when you step out in a pair of fresh kicks and can even add a well-worn charm to the overall aesthetic. Yet, nothing exudes style like a pair of crisp white trainers.

If your shoes seem to be a magnet for dirt and stains, then worry not. Far from being destined for the bin, these tried and tested methods will easily restore them to their former glory.

Follow our guide on how to remove marks from white trainers and discover directions to keep them looking dazzling for longer.

How to clean white canvas trainers

White canvas trainers offer a cool, casual aesthetic with an elegant and timeless silhouette. Gently hand washing white trainers will keep them looking fresher for longer.

Follow these simple steps to keep white trainers white:
1. Take the laces out of your shoes before you start.
2. Using a damp cloth soaked in warm soapy water (wring out well) gently rub the surface of the trainer in circular motions.
3. Let trainers air dry at room temperature.

How to clean white leather trainers

Leather trainers add texture to any ensemble, whether you’re styling them with a midi dress or your favourite pair of jeans.

When cleaning up your white leather trainers, avoid using anything too harsh on the leather to prevent any potential damage to the material.

Use these easy steps to clean up your leather trainers:
1. Remove the laces from your shoes.
2. Make sure the trainers are completely dry.
3. Use a soft brush to remove any excess dirt.
4. Any leftover stains can be removed using a damp cloth. Don’t apply too much pressure as you could damage the leather.
5. Leave to dry naturally overnight before wearing them again.

How to clean white suede trainers

White suede trainers seem to attract dirt as soon as you step outside. A delicate material, suede absorbs water, so washing them with water can cause stains to set in the fabric.

Try these simple steps to gently care for your suede trainers:
1. Apply a suede protector spray; make sure the trainers are clean and completely dry and spray the protector spray from a distance, or as per the application directions if different.
2. Leave the sprayed trainers for at least one hour before wearing.
3. If trainers get soiled, let the mud on the trainers dry, then lightly apply a suede brush to the suede areas.

Keep the soles and laces clean

Keeping the laces and soles of your white trainers clean is an easy way to transform the shoe’s look instantly.

How to clean white soles

As well as cleaning the uppers of your trainers, it’s important to clean the soles to remove dirt and debris.
1. Create a solution of equal parts water to baking soda to create a soft paste.
2. Coat the bristles of a toothbrush in the paste and rub them over the soles of your shoes in a circular motion.
3. Leave for a few minutes to let the baking soda lift any dirt or stains.
4. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the paste.

How to clean white shoe laces

Cleaning your shoe laces can keep your trainers looking brand new for longer.
Take your shoelaces out of your trainers and leave them to soak in a bowl of warm water with a small amount of washing detergent.
Remove the laces and rinse the solution off under a tap.
Leave to dry completely before lacing up your trainers again.

Can you clean white trainers in the washing machine?

Popping your shoes in the washing machine might seem like a quick and effective method of cleaning white trainers, but this can inflict damage to your shoes.
Suede and leather trainers, in particular, risk being ruined when placed in washing machines. The water overload may damage the materials and weaken the trainers’ bonding agents, damaging the shoe’s structure and silhouette.
Always hand wash trainers and allow them to dry naturally. Don’t be tempted to use a radiator to dry them quickly, as this may damage the bonding agents that hold the shoe together.

How to store white trainers when they’re not being worn

Correctly storing your white trainers can help keep them clean, maintain the shape of the silhouette and keep them looking sparkly white.

Stuff your trainers with something like kitchen roll or tissue paper to help keep them in shape.
Store them away in a dry place away from humidity or heat and always out of direct sunlight, as frequent and prolonged direct sunlight exposure can cause white trainers to dull or yellow over time.

If possible, store them in the box or cotton bag that they came in to maintain that box fresh feeling.

How to keep your white trainers white

White trainers will inevitably appear duller after exposure to rain, sun or dirt in the outside world. But with our handy guide, you can refresh your shoes to keep them looking new for longer, making them a long-term investment.

Try to alternate wearing pairs of white trainers to give your favourite go-to pair a break. Why not explore our collection of white women’s trainers or men’s trainers and find a new pair to elevate your style?

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How To Care For Your Gola Trainers

Posted on February 21, 2022

Whether you are an avid trainer buyer who likes to stand out in bright and vibrant styles or someone who likes the classic all white designs, keeping your shoes in pristine condition is a must; no one likes to be walking around in dirty sneakers. Eager to learn some key pointers on how to keep your trainers looking fresh, crisp and in tip-top condition? Well, keep on reading, as this post will unveil all the answers.

The one tip we would recommend for cleaning any pair of trainers is to avoid the washing machine. The washing machine will be your worst enemy because it will only lead to running and discolouration of fabrics.

Gola Grandslam Trident Trainers

Our best-selling court trainer Grandslam features a crisp PU white upper. We all know white trainers are the hardest to keep clean, so in order to get the best results when cleaning white PU we would suggest get your hands on a cloth. Damp the cloth in warm soapy water and lightly wipe over the PU to remove any marks or mud.

Gola Men’s Bullet Suede

Another great classic is the Gola Bullet which incorporates a suede upper. When it comes to suede, we believe in prevention over cure, we would highly recommend buying a suede protector spray. Firstly, make sure the trainers are clean and dry, spray the protector spray from a distance and make sure you leave the spray for at least one hour before wearing your trainers. Alternatively, you can use a suede brush in order to clean suede. By nature, suede attracts dust and the beauty of a suede brush is that it removes dust and evens up the texture, making the trainer look as good as new. If you have mud on your trainers, we would highly recommend letting the mud dry and then lightly apply the suede brush to the soiled area.

Gola Women’s Harrier Leather Trident Trainers

A go-to footwear choice for many of our female customers is the black leather Harrier trainer. We would recommend keeping the Harrier style in the original box as this reduces the amount of sunlight exposed to the leather and increases its life span. Keeping Harrier stored in its original box will help prevent the leather fading and cracking.

Vegan Gola Coaster High Rainbow Drop

Gola’s ever popular Coaster Rainbow style is a classic off white canvas demi boot. A top-tip for keeping this style fresh is to use shoe inserts or newspaper to stuff into the inside of the shoe. Creasing and loss of shape are two of the biggest elements that make trainers look worn and distressed. Using shoe inserts or newspaper can help the trainer keep looking fresh and keep its original shape. When it comes to cleaning canvas the best technique is to use a damp cloth and spot clean to remove any marks.

We hope this post has helped you learn some valuable hacks for keeping your trainers looking fresh and crisp.