How to Clean the Union LA x Air Jordan 1 High OG “Chicago Shadow” — Step-by-Step Guide

The Union LA x Air Jordan 1 High OG “Chicago Shadow” is a 2025 pick-up for many sneakerheads. With its hybrid design, premium materials, and bold color-blocking, it's a pair that deserves proper care.

But when your heat starts collecting dust, creases, and grime, how do you bring it back to life, without ruining it?

In this complete sneaker cleaning guide, Vick Almighty walks through exactly how to clean the Union LA x AJ1 using Reshoevn8r’s Signature Shoe Cleaning Kit and a few essential add-ons. Whether you're cleaning Jordans or other leather-based sneakers, this tutorial breaks down the safest way to restore them without causing color bleeding or damage.

Let’s get into the step-by-step breakdown.

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Tools You’ll Need

For this cleaning, Vick used the following Reshoevn8r products:

• Signature Shoe Cleaning Kit
  Includes: Soft, Medium, and Stiff Bristle Brushes, 4oz Cleaning Solution, Microfiber Towel, Adjustable Shoe Trees, and a Sneaker Laundry Bag.

• Dry Rack & Bowl Combo
  A helpful setup to avoid making a mess during the cleaning process.

• Cleaning Mat
  For added protection on your workstation.

• Reshoevn8r Laundry Pods
  Specifically formulated to clean and refresh your sneaker insoles and laces.

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Step 1: Prep the Sneaker

The first step to any successful sneaker restoration is proper preparation. Vick starts by removing the laces and insoles from the Union LA x Air Jordan 1. These components will get their cleaning in the laundry system later on.

 

Next, he inserts the adjustable shoe tree to help maintain the shape of the shoe during cleaning, while also giving a firm surface to work against.

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Step 2: Dry Brushing and Debris Removal

Before introducing any liquid solution, Vick uses the Soft Bristle Brush to dry-brush the entire upper. This removes loose dirt and prevents it from spreading during the wet cleaning phase. It's a critical step, especially for shoes with mesh, suede, or complex materials.

He then uses an air compressor to blow away any debris from tough-to-reach areas. (If you don’t have an air compressor, no worries—the Soft Brush still gets the job done.)

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Step 3: Cleaning the Upper

With the sneaker prepped and dry-brushed, it’s time to clean the uppers. Vick fills the bowl with water, adds two squirts of cleaning solution, and dips the Soft Bristle Brush in before scrubbing the red, white, and black leather panels of the AJ1.

One of the biggest concerns when cleaning colored leather, especially red or black, is color bleeding. Thankfully, no bleeding occurred during this cleaning thanks to the controlled hand-scrub method and premium solution.

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Step 4: Targeting the Stitching

Once the surface-level dirt is removed, Vick swaps in the Medium Bristle Brush to focus on the white stitching, tongue, and tough creases around the toe box. This brush has just enough strength to dig deeper without damaging the materials.

A pick tool comes in handy to scrape out dirt caught between tight stitches and edges, ensuring no grime is left behind.

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Step 5: Cleaning the Midsole and Outsole

Now for the dirtiest part: the sole. Vick brings out the Stiff Bristle Brush to clean the midsole and outsole, applying more pressure to lift embedded grime. This step is essential to give the entire sneaker a full 360 clean.

 

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Step 6: Drying the Sneaker

After the cleaning, Vick gives the sneaker one final blast with the air compressor to help dry the tongue and inner padding before placing the sneaker aside to air dry. This ensures the shoe dries evenly and reduces the risk of lingering moisture, which can lead to odor or mold.

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Step 7: Cleaning the Laces and Insoles

While the sneaker dries, it’s time to clean the remaining components:

• Laces: Scrubbed by hand using the leftover solution in the bowl with the Soft Bristle Brush.

• Insoles: Brushed clean and then thrown into the laundry bag.

• Vick adds a Reshoevn8r Laundry Pod to the machine and runs a cold water cycle to finish off the cleaning process.

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Final Results: Night and Day Difference

The before-and-after transformation speaks for itself. The red and white colorway pops again. The midsole looks brand new. Even the stitching on the tongue and the cream laces are back to their original shade.

What made the biggest difference? According to Vick, it was the initial dry brush. It lifted enough surface grime to prevent reapplying dirt during the wet cleaning phase—saving time and getting better results.

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Why Use the Reshoevn8r Signature Shoe Cleaning Kit?

If you're serious about sneaker care, the Signature Kit is a must-have. It’s designed to safely clean a wide range of materials, including leather, mesh, suede, canvas, and rubber. The combination of premium brushes and a non-toxic solution makes it ideal for both casual rotations and high-heat grails like the Union LA x Air Jordan 1.

 

The kit also includes the Sneaker Laundry System, allowing you to deep clean insoles and laces in the wash without damaging your gear.

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Clean Your Own Jordans with Confidence

With the right prep and products, cleaning your Air Jordan 1s doesn’t have to be risky. This guide—straight from Vick Almighty—proves you can deep clean high-end sneakers without color bleeding, fading, or damaging delicate stitching.

Ready to try it yourself?

Use code "UNION20" at checkout to get 20% off the Signature Shoe Cleaning Kit and more products at Reshoevn8r.com.