Periodic cleanings will keep your shoes looking (and smelling) their best. Here’s how to clean your shoes without damaging them.
Last updated: October 4, 2022
5 min read
Time Required
30 min
Estimated Cost
$20
Supplies
Dish Soap
Baking Soda
Magic Eraser (Optional)
Leather Conditioner (Optional)
White Vinegar (Optional)
Tools
Shoe Brush
Toothbrush
Soft Clean Cloth
Suede Brush (Optional)
It’s tough to keep your shoes pristine without cleaning them regularly. The minute those new sneakers come out of the box, you’ll want to wear them outside — where they’ll pick up dirt, mud, scuffs, and stains.
To ensure peak performance of your sneakers over time, we recommend proper care and maintenance, including cleaning. Before you get started, place your shoes in a shoe tree or fill them with crumpled newspapers to help retain their shape during cleaning. Then, get to work.
These tips will help you keep any sneakers and running shoes fresh and clean in just a few easy steps.
How to Clean Your Shoes Step by Step
1.Use a Dry Brush
Remove loose dirt from the outsole, midsole, and uppers using a dry, soft-bristled shoe brush. No shoe brush? No problem, an old toothbrush works fine.
2.Make a Mild Cleaning Solution
Mix warm water with a small amount of mild laundry detergent or dish soap.
For white and lighter colored shoes, you can also make an effective cleaning paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and water.
3.Hand Wash the Laces
Remove the shoelaces and apply a small amount of the mild cleaning solution to them. Massage the laces with your hands, rinse, then dab dry with a soft cloth.
4.
Wash the Soles
Apply the mild solution to a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or a wash cloth. Clean the outsole and midsole thoroughly, taking your time to clean every part of the soles. Dry with a soft cloth.
Note: If you need to wash your insoles, remove them first and clean with your solution, making sure to give them time to dry before putting them back into your shoes.
5.Wash and Blot the Uppers
Use the mild solution and a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush, or a soft damp cloth to clean the uppers. Take your time and don't scrub too hard.
When you're satisfied with the look, use a dry microfiber towel or soft cloth to blot and lift as much soapy moisture and dirt as possible. Repeat if necessary. Try to avoid drying by rubbing as it can wear down the shoe fabric or spread any remaining small bits of dirt.
6.Air Dry
Air dry your sneakers at room temperature. Always allow your shoes to dry completely before wearing them for your next workout or activity. For most shoes, it should take at least 8 hours to fully dry.
Be sure to brush off loose dirt with a shoe brush or toothbrush before you wash the shoe with a cleaning solution.
Special Considerations for Different Materials
Following these basic cleaning steps will ensure clean sneakers, but certain fabrics and materials may need a little extra TLC. Here’s what you need to know about using cleaner for different types of shoes.
How to Clean Leather Shoes
Leather shoes stain easily, so it’s important to clean them regularly. In addition to using a dry brush and mild dish soap solution, you may want to use a Magic Eraser or leather conditioner to remove stains. Don’t scrub the shoes too hard, or you could damage the leather.
How to Clean Suede Shoes
Suede is notoriously difficult to clean. If you notice water marks, scuff marks, dirt or stains, it’s probably time to give your suede shoes a proper cleaning. Use these recommended tricks and special tools to get the job done. Here’s how.
Use a suede brush or towel to wipe away surface debris, working in the same direction as the material rather than going against the grain.
Use suede rubber (or a pencil eraser) to rub away any marks on the surface of the shoe.
For stubborn stains, use a cloth dipped in white vinegar to scrub the fabric in alternating directions.
How to Clean Knit Shoes
Nike Flyknit shoes provide flexible support where you need it most, but the fabric is delicate and requires care when using cleaner. Create a mild, soapy water solution with soap that doesn’t contain chemicals. Never use bleach or other harsh cleaning products, since they can damage the material. Take a clean cloth and rub the solution in the same direction as the knit.
Shoe Cleaning FAQs
Can I Wash My Shoes in a Washing Machine?
Most shoes should not be put in a washing machine or dryer. The delicate materials may get beat up in the wash cycle, and heat can deform your shoes.
How Do I Clean My Insoles to Reduce Shoe Odor?
From time to time, it may also be necessary to clean your insoles. To do so, remove the insoles and use the same cleaning steps for the outside of your shoes. Be sure to air dry them completely before putting them back in your shoes. If odor persists, you may want to replace the insoles. Replacement insoles are available at most sporting goods and shoe stores.
What if My Shoes Are Still Dirty After Cleaning?
If you’ve followed and repeated the cleaning steps above and your shoes still look dirty, they may have taken too many trips up the court, cuts across the field, or laps around the track. It might be time for a new pair of sneakers.
How Often Should I Clean My Shoes?
Your cleaning schedule depends on how often you wear your shoes and where your feet take you. Aim to clean your shoes every two weeks or whenever they start to look dirty. Regular maintenance reduces cleaning time.
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How to Clean Your Shoes in 6 Easy Steps. Nike SI
How to Clean Your Shoes in 6 Easy Steps. Nike SI
Product Care
Periodically cleaning your shoes will keep them looking (and smelling) their best. Here's how to clean your shoes without damaging them.
Last updated: 4 October 2022
5 min read
Time Required
30 min
Estimated Cost
US$20
Supplies
Washing-up Liquid
Bicarbonate of Soda
Magic Eraser (Optional)
Leather Conditioner (Optional)
White Vinegar (Optional)
Tools
Shoe Brush
Toothbrush
Soft Clean Cloth
Suede Brush (Optional)
It's tough to keep your shoes pristine without cleaning them regularly. The minute those new sneakers come out of the box, you'll want to wear them outside—where they'll pick up dirt, mud, scuffs and stains.
To ensure peak performance of your sneakers over time, we recommend proper care and maintenance, including cleaning. Before you get started, place your shoes in a shoe tree or fill them with scrunched-up newspaper to help retain their shape during cleaning. Then, get to work.
These tips will help you keep any sneakers and running shoes fresh and clean in just a few easy steps.
How to Clean Your Shoes Step by Step
1.Use a Dry Brush
Use a Dry Brush
Remove loose dirt from the outsole, midsole and uppers using a dry, soft-bristled shoe brush. No shoe brush? No problem, an old toothbrush will work fine.
2.Make a Mild Cleaning Solution
Make a Mild Cleaning Solution
Mix warm water with a small amount of mild laundry detergent or washing-up liquid.
For white and lighter-coloured shoes, you can also make an effective cleaning paste by mixing equal parts of bicarbonate of soda and water.
3.Hand Wash the Laces
Hand-wash the Laces
Remove the shoelaces and apply a small amount of the mild cleaning solution to them. Massage the laces with your hands, rinse, then dab dry with a soft cloth.
4.Wash the Soles
Wash the Soles
Apply the mild solution to a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or cloth. Clean the outsole and midsole thoroughly, taking your time to clean every part of the soles. Dry with a soft cloth.
Note: If you need to wash your insoles, remove them first and clean with your solution, and make sure you give them time to dry before putting them back in your shoes.
5.Wash and Blot the Uppers
Wash and Blot the Uppers
Use the mild solution and a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or a soft, damp cloth to clean the uppers. Take your time and don't scrub too hard.
When you're satisfied with the look, use a dry microfibre towel or soft cloth to blot and lift as much soapy moisture and dirt as possible. Repeat if necessary. Try to avoid drying by rubbing as it can wear down the shoe fabric or spread any remaining small bits of dirt.
6.Air Dry
Air-dry
Air-dry your sneakers at room temperature. Always allow your shoes to dry completely before wearing them for your next workout or activity. Most shoes should take at least 8 hours to fully dry.
Make sure you brush off loose dirt with a shoe brush or toothbrush before you wash the shoe with a cleaning solution.
Special Considerations for Different Materials
Following these basic cleaning steps will ensure clean sneakers, but certain fabrics and materials may need a little extra TLC. Here's what you need to know about using cleaning solution for different types of shoes.
How to Clean Leather Shoes
Leather shoes stain easily, so it's important to clean them regularly. In addition to using a dry brush and mild washing-up liquid solution, you may want to use a Magic Eraser or leather conditioner to remove stains. Don't scrub the shoes too hard, or you could damage the leather.
How to Clean Suede Shoes
Suede is notoriously difficult to clean. If you notice water marks, scuff marks, dirt or stains, it's probably time to give your suede shoes a proper clean. Use these recommended tricks and special tools to get the job done. Here's how.
Use a suede brush or towel to wipe away surface debris, working in the same direction as the material rather than going against the grain.
Use suede rubber (or a pencil eraser) to rub away any marks on the surface of the shoe.
For stubborn stains, use a cloth dipped in white vinegar to scrub the fabric in alternating directions.
How to Clean Knit Shoes
Nike Flyknit shoes provide flexible support where you need it most, but the fabric is delicate and requires care when using a cleaning solution. Create a mild, soapy water solution with soap that doesn't contain chemicals. Never use bleach or other harsh cleaning products, since they can damage the material. Take a clean cloth and rub the solution in the same direction as the knit.
Shoe Cleaning FAQs
Can I Clean My Shoes in a Washing Machine?
Most shoes should not be put in a washing machine or tumble dryer. The delicate materials may get beaten up in the wash cycle, and heat can deform your shoes.
How Do I Clean My Insoles to Reduce Shoe Odour?
From time to time, it may also be necessary to clean your insoles. To do so, remove the insoles and use the same cleaning steps as for the outside of your shoes. Make sure you air-dry them completely before putting them back in your shoes. If the odour persists, you may want to replace the insoles. Replacement insoles are available at most sporting goods and shoe stores.
What if My Shoes Are Still Dirty After Cleaning?
If you've followed and repeated the cleaning steps above and your shoes still look dirty, they may have taken too many trips up the court, cuts across the pitch or laps around the track. It might be time for a new pair of sneakers.
How Often Should I Clean My Shoes?
Your cleaning schedule depends on how often you wear your shoes and where your feet take you. Aim to clean your shoes every two weeks, or whenever they start to look dirty. Regular maintenance reduces cleaning time.
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How to clean sneakers at home?
June 11, 2019
Cleaning sneakers is not a very difficult task, but only if you know how to do it well: if you do everything right, then after cleaning they will look like they were just bought, and if you do it wrong, you can damage them.
Caring for sneakers
You can find a lot of shoe cleaners in stores, and those that are designed to clean leather shoes, jackets, or car seats can also be used to clean leather sneakers. These shoes are very comfortable for sports or daily jogging.
Today, the choice of sneakers is very wide, a variety of materials, styles, colors are available - you can buy sneakers that stand out with something, however, atypical solutions are sometimes needed to clean them. And the universal sneakers that are used every day are not always so easy to clean, because they wear out, they may have stains that need to be removed. Therefore, further we will analyze simple ways to make your shoes look like new.
How to clean sneakers at home?
External cleaning
Pour water into a plate or other container, add a little detergent or laundry detergent to it, stir. Dip a toothbrush in the resulting solution and rub the sneakers - with the help of a cleaning agent, it will be much easier to remove the dirt. If you come across a particularly difficult stain, you can use undiluted dishwashing detergent or powder instead of a solution - pour it on a brush and rub the stain.
When the entire surface of the shoe has been treated in this way, you need to wipe the sneakers with a damp cloth and remove the remnants of the cleaning agent. Important: try to use less water on the leather parts of the shoes.
A screwdriver can be used to remove stubborn dirt. To make the sole completely clean, you need to soak it in water and rub it with a brush.
After that, slightly moisten an eraser in water and walk it along the sole - this way you can remove the dirt deeply embedded in it.
Finally, rub the sole with your finger with a damp cloth wrapped around it to set the effect. Then it remains only to carefully wipe it with a clean, damp cloth so that there are no stains left, if they dry out, then it will also not be easy to completely clean them off.
During cleaning, pay special attention to the sock - water should not accumulate there. Also, place paper towels inside your shoes to keep water out.
Cleaning insole
The main task is to remove the smell, and baking soda is used to solve it. You just need to pour it a little inside the shoes and leave it for a couple of hours, then shake it out and wipe the insole with a clean cloth.
What to do with laces?
Instead of buying new laces, you can often just clean the old ones. To do this, when you wash your bedding, just put them in a pillowcase. It is important to set the mode of the most gentle wash.
Tongue cleaning
It needs to be soaked, then squeezed. To prevent water from getting inside the sneaker, you can wrinkle it with a paper or regular towel. After that, you need to rub it with your fingers or a soft cloth, with powder or dishwashing detergent applied to them. You do not need to use a brush, as the material on the inside of the tongue is delicate and can be damaged. Finally, rinse it to remove the cleaning agent.
How to dry sneakers?
First, squeeze the water out of the tongue - do not press hard on it. After that, put the sneakers in front of the fan on - so they dry quickly under the air flow. But you should not use a hair dryer: because of the hot air, there is a risk of damaging the glue.
Suede sneakers - how to clean them:
General cleaning
For suede, the above method is not suitable; you need to use a special eraser designed specifically for this material. For dirty sneakers or removing stains, you will need a suede brush - its rubber bristles are soft on one side and hard on the other.
You need to remove water stains with water: first fill the sneakers with paper, then spray water on the suede surface and wipe it with a brush. After the surface dries, apply a suede cleaner to it.
Removal of fresh stains
If the stain is just there, use a paper towel to remove the excess, but do not press on the stain itself, much less rub it into the suede. If the stain is dry, wipe it with a wet cloth, then wait until it dries again and use an eraser or a suede brush to remove it.
If the instruction was attached to the sneakers, you should follow it and buy the recommended products. Depending on the manufacturer, the material may have its own characteristics, due to which one agent may be more effective, and another may damage it.
You need to wet the suede carefully, without touching it with water and applying the minimum sufficient amount to get rid of dirt. Always pick up any remaining moisture and cleaning agent with a damp cloth. And, of course, you can’t just throw sneakers into the washing machine - after this, their shape or fabric can be severely damaged, and even if this does not happen, they will completely get wet and lose their protective layer.
After regular cleaning, white sneakers may remain more gray than the original shade. This problem can be solved both with the help of ready-made bleaching agents, and with folk methods.
Of the latter, it is worth highlighting:
toothpaste with a few drops of lemon juice;
a solution of washing powder, lemon juice, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide - you need to take three parts of the powder and one each of the rest;
solution of soda ash (three parts), liquid soap (two), and toothpaste (one).
It is necessary to walk with a brush with a product on the surface of the sneakers, and then remove the remnants with a rag.
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How to care for basketball shoes?
Shoes are an important part of our wardrobe. It not only complements the chosen style, but has a direct impact on our health and well-being. After all, the wrong shoes are the key to the onset of spinal diseases. How important is the choice of basketball shoes. And not only shoes, but also improper care of them in this sport can lead to serious injuries of the whole body. We have put together some useful tips for you on how to0023 how to care for basketball shoes .
Training is very tiring not only for your body but also for your legs. The body reacts to intense loads simply by sweating. Sweat soaks into clothing and can adversely affect our skin if not removed in time. The same thing happens with the legs. Sweat soaks socks, which in turn are in a favorable environment for the development of bacteria. Bacteria develop and become the cause of unpleasant odor and diseases of the feet. There is a very simple way to avoid this: change your socks after each workout and always dry your shoes.
Considering the fact that basketball shoes are made from a special material that absorbs moisture, the drying process is even more important. It is better to dry shoes in a well-ventilated room at room temperature, without the participation of heating devices of any kind and direct sunlight. When drying, do not forget to stretch the insole and open the sneakers as much as possible so that moisture evaporates with the least resistance. This method is the easiest and most correct, but not the most convenient.
Two workouts a day and you won't have time to dry your sneakers in a ventilated room. What to do? We recommend using a special dryer, this heating device does not harm your sneakers, and therefore you can safely use it. The drying temperature is 50 degrees, which allows you to significantly speed up the process and remove moisture from your shoes as much as possible.
How to properly clean basketball shoes
Sneakers, like any shoe, need to be cleaned periodically. And if your sneakers can be easily thrown into the washing machine, leaving this question to her, then this cannot be done with basketball shoes, otherwise you will simply throw them away.
Wash the Soles
For most shoes, it should take at least 8 hours to fully dry. 
Use these recommended tricks and special tools to get the job done. Here’s how.
The delicate materials may get beat up in the wash cycle, and heat can deform your shoes.
Regular maintenance reduces cleaning time.
The minute those new sneakers come out of the box, you'll want to wear them outside—where they'll pick up dirt, mud, scuffs and stains.
Take your time and don't scrub too hard. 
Create a mild, soapy water solution with soap that doesn't contain chemicals. Never use bleach or other harsh cleaning products, since they can damage the material. Take a clean cloth and rub the solution in the same direction as the knit.
It might be time for a new pair of sneakers.
If you come across a particularly difficult stain, you can use undiluted dishwashing detergent or powder instead of a solution - pour it on a brush and rub the stain. 
To prevent water from getting inside the sneaker, you can wrinkle it with a paper or regular towel. After that, you need to rub it with your fingers or a soft cloth, with powder or dishwashing detergent applied to them. You do not need to use a brush, as the material on the inside of the tongue is delicate and can be damaged. Finally, rinse it to remove the cleaning agent. 
And, of course, you can’t just throw sneakers into the washing machine - after this, their shape or fabric can be severely damaged, and even if this does not happen, they will completely get wet and lose their protective layer. 
It not only complements the chosen style, but has a direct impact on our health and well-being. After all, the wrong shoes are the key to the onset of spinal diseases. How important is the choice of basketball shoes. And not only shoes, but also improper care of them in this sport can lead to serious injuries of the whole body. We have put together some useful tips for you on how to0023 how to care for basketball shoes . 
It is better to dry shoes in a well-ventilated room at room temperature, without the participation of heating devices of any kind and direct sunlight. When drying, do not forget to stretch the insole and open the sneakers as much as possible so that moisture evaporates with the least resistance. This method is the easiest and most correct, but not the most convenient. 
