How To Clean Sneakers Made Easy
It’s no surprise that sneakers are one of the most versatile—and therefore valuable—shoes on the market. While some may use their sneakers strictly for exercise and others for fashion flair, we understand how these everyday kicks can become your new BFFs.
If you’re into athletics , you might know there’s nothing more refreshing than a brisk jog, or a wake-up walk amongst the morning dew. Whatever the climate, we all have those moments when you return home, ready to rock your day, only to be met with disaster at your feet. Literally.
Whether your shoes have suffered from a specific incident or are simply victim to time, we’ve got the scoop on how to clean your sneakers for maximum wellness.
Plus, we’ll cover:
- Top six reasons to regularly clean your sneakers
- How often to clean them
- Proper sneaker cleaning supplies
- Step by step instructions for how to clean white sneakers, suede sneakers, leather sneakers, and more
Let’s get to it.
Top Six Reasons to Regularly Clean Your Sneakers
Cleaning sneakers has many benefits for functionality and appearance. The more often you can give your sneakers a refresh, the better!
The top six reasons to clean your sneakers often?
1. Prevents yellowing of the soles or midsoles
2. Eradicates stains and damage
3. Removes debris
4. Extends lifespan
5. Minimizes wear and tear
6. Strengthens basic shoe hygiene habits
At the end of the day, implementing proper shoe care will help you maintain your other shoes with ease, too. Here, we’ll break down how to clean various types of sneakers based on material.
Ultimately, knowing how to clean sneakers regularly ensures the best value while fostering the feeling you had for them from the jump: love.
There’s no reason you can’t get a solid year or two out of your kicks depending on how often you use them. And speaking of how often you use them, you might be wondering how to clean them…
How Often to Clean Sneakers
There’s no exact science here, but that’s all the more reason to stay ahead of the game. Aim to clean your sneakers every two weeks or as needed based on how they look after use.
Similar to haircuts, you either get a trim or a full blown makeover. To mitigate the need for the latter, keep things proper with a mutually beneficial maintenance schedule.
Carve out time on your mellow Sundays or those evening movie marathons for some shoe maintenance. Come daytime, you’ll be happy you did it when you look down at those sparkly shoes with pride!
Sneaker Cleaning Supplies
Before we get down to the nitty gritty, here’s a simple supply list to master the art of sneaker cleaning. Like other shoe care musts, here’s what to prep at home:
- Horsehair brush or toothbrush (suede brush optional)
- Microfiber cloth and additional clean cloth
- Dish soap
- Water
- Baking soda
In addition to these musts, some optional sneaker cleaning supplies include:
- White vinegar
- Leather conditioner or cream
- Pencil eraser or Magic Eraser
The combination of these supplies depends on the sneaker’s material, which we’ll peek at below.
How to Clean Sneakers: A Step by Step Guide
Time to get those sneaks spiffy clean! Here’s a step by step guide for how to clean sneakers, followed by other considerations for maintenance materials.
1. Remove Dirt and Debris
As is true for most shoes, step one calls for removing debris and dirt. Essentially, make sure you’ve got a smooth slate to clean, which means removing anything that may be in the way.
Take your shoe brush, horsehair brush, or toothbrush and brush away anything dried or caked-on yuck. Take inventory of the problem areas to tackle in the coming steps.
2. Remove the Laces
The laces should be dried separately, so feel free to remove them. This lets you get into the nooks and crannies of the upper soles without a fight. We’ll address how to clean the laces in just a bit!
3. Prep Your Cleaning Solution
Prepare a bowl of warm water with a dab of dish soap. Note that for lighter-colored shoes, too much dish soap is a no-go. Simply use less for these shoes to avoid quickened discoloration or damage.
Get a clean shoe brush or cloth close by and get ready to scrub!
4. Scrub Away
Start with the soles on the bottom of the sneaker and work your way up. Intuitively, dab your brush in the soap solution as needed. Gradually move up to the midsoles, then the upper soles.
Note that the upper soles need less scrubbing and more blotting so as not to damage more sensitive fibers. Dab everything dry with a cloth.
5. Air Dry
Last but not least, air dry your shoes and let nature run its course. Good to go!
Other Considerations to Keep In Mind
A couple of notes to keep you feeling confident as you learn how to clean sneakers like a pro.
1. Remove Insoles to Clean
If you wish to clean your insoles (or to avoid unintentionally wetting them), remove them when you remove the laces.
Then, use the warm dish soap and water solution to blot, then give them time to dry before putting them back in. If you put them back prematurely, of course, you’ll meet less welcome friends, Mold and Mildew.
2. Hand Wash the Laces
The last thing anyone wants or needs is sneaker laces stuck in a washing machine or tangled up in other clothing. Hand wash the laces using the warm dish soap solution (preferably before getting the solution dirty from the shoes).
You can also make two separate dish soap solution bowls to keep things separate if you wish. This way, you can also let the laces soak for a while if needed. Simply massage, rinse, then let dry!
3. Clean White Sneakers with Baking Soda
If you’re wondering how to clean sneakers with baking soda, you’ll essentially follow the same protocol as above, but swap the dish soap solution for baking soda instead.
Mix equal parts baking soda with water instead for whiter and lighter shoes to keep the natural oils intact.
4. Be Smart About the Washing Machine
If you’ve got more than a little mess on your hands, the washing machine can be a welcome ally. If you go this route, simply check the insoles of your sneakers first to see if the material can be washed this way.
If not, revert back to the aforementioned hand-washing guidance. Mesh is a great candidate. Simply:
- Remove all dirt and debris as you would above (with a shoe brush)
- Put your shoes in a mesh bag
- Use a cool, gentle cycle
- Let air dry (and remove the insoles to dry separately)
Note that warm water melts plastic and other materials—a fast track to madness. Stay the course with a cool, calm, and collected rinse cycle.
5. Use Baking Soda to Aid Smells
No one wants smelly feet! If you struggle with smell, bring back the baking soda. Once your shoes are dry—and preferably clean—sprinkle baking soda over all problem areas and throughout the insoles.
Let the baking soda seep in overnight and shake them out the next day. Repeat as needed and enjoy!
Now, onto a few more specific sneaker needs.
How to Clean White Sneakers
As mentioned above, you can clean white sneakers with a baking soda solution (equal parts baking soda to water). If not, revert to the warm water and a dash of dish soap.
Lastly, you can use laundry detergent or white vinegar if the above supplies are not accessible. Use your best discretion and know that the sneaker will show you what works best.
How to Clean Suede Sneakers
Learning how to clean suede sneakers is similar to cleaning any other suede shoe. You’ll find that you can catch on quickly once you’re more familiar with these materials.
To clean suede sneakers, simply follow the same protocol to remove the dirt and debris with your shoe brush (or specifically, the optional suede brush). Then:
1. Use suede rubber, a pencil eraser, or a household cleaning eraser to remove any stains
2. For more difficult stains or markings, use a bit of white vinegar and water to (gently) scrub
How to Clean Leather Sneakers
When it comes to leather sneakers, there are a couple of different ways to clean them. If you’ve got that Magic Eraser handy, wet it and wring it out until it’s just damp (not dripping). Then, gently scrub or wipe away dirt and debris.
Dry the sneakers with a towel. If you don’t want to use an eraser, use a 1:1 warm water to baking soda solution to make a paste instead. Apply with a shoe brush, then wipe off with a damp cloth. Let dry and voila!
Note that water isn’t great for leather, so be sure to dry them as best as you can.
How to Clean Knit Sneakers (and Mesh!)
Knit and mesh sneakers follow similar protocol to leather. Create a soapy solution (using non-toxic soap) and apply with a shoe brush or toothbrush. Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry. Repeat as needed.
Note that using dish soap or soap with chemicals can damage fabric easily so be sure to use minimal amounts or go for a non-toxic product instead.
Depending on how tough your situation is, you can always remove the laces and soles like any other sneaker. If you need to fill the shoe once the insoles are out, consider newspaper or a small towel.
Get to It!
Now that you know how to clean sneakers like never before, there’s no excuse not to look your best. Yes, sneakers are meant to be worn, but they’re not meant for neglect. Make them last longer with this newfound awareness of different materials, then feel better than ever wearing them.
Be sure to peruse the Zappos catalog for your next favorite sneakers, then check back often to keep them feeling fresh. Enjoy!
