Restoring Fire-Damaged Jordan 1 Chicagos — Ash, Gum, and Smoke Neutralized

September 9, 2025

In today’s Instagram video, we tackled a pair of Jordan 1 Chicagos that survived a property fire, but were left covered in ash, dirt, embedded gum, and the lingering smell of smoke.

Most would assume they were done for — but here at Revive Kicks, we specialize in bringing back what others consider unsalvageable.

👉 Watch the full video here
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🔥 Step-by-Step Fire Damage Recovery

1️⃣ Debris & Gum Removal First

Before anything else, we used a metal pick to extract large debris, ash, and hardened buildup from the outsole grooves.
Then, we applied 3M Gum Remover to break down and safely remove gum that had fused into the bottom of the sole — a crucial step before deep cleaning.

2️⃣ Sole Lathering & Deep Cleaning

With the worst debris removed, we applied our Revive Kicks Shoe Cleaner using a soft bristle brush to lather and loosen surface-level ash and grime.
Once prepped, we switched to a steel bristle brush to power through tougher stains and embedded dirt.

We followed this step with a steamer flush, which lifts and rinses contaminants from the sole without damaging the material.

3️⃣ Upper & Midsole Detailing

Midsoles were cleaned using our soft bristle brush and cleaner
Uppers (leather areas) were gently scrubbed using only the soft brush to avoid color damage
On white leather panels, we used a melamine sponge to erase stubborn stains without harming the finish
For the tongue, which had deep set-in soot, we used a mesh scrubbing pad followed by a steamer flush to fully restore the material

4️⃣ Insole & Sockliner Cleaning

We removed the insoles and cleaned both them and the sockliner using our soft bristle brush and Revive Kicks Shoe Cleaner.
The steamer was used again to sanitize and flush out embedded dirt and smoke residue.

5️⃣ Odor Neutralization & UV Finishing

To combat the lingering smoke smell, we sprayed the shoes inside and out with our deodorizer + disinfectant spray — designed to neutralize odor and sanitize deep layers.

Finally, we placed the pair in our UV light box overnight, allowing the UV rays to:
✅ Reverse oxidation
✅ Brighten soles
✅ Kill remaining bacteria

🔥 The result: a full revival of a fire-damaged grail — cleaned, restored, and ready to wear again.