When your favorite footwear starts to look worse for wear, you’ll need to know how to clean sneakers. Not only will this keep your sneakers always looking fresh, but will prevent them from having a build-up of dirt and grime.
Similar to learning how to clean white shoes, cleaning sneakers is not as tricky as it seems. In fact, all you’ll need are a few household products to get the job done. So, if you want to get your sneakers looking as good as new, here’s how to clean sneakers in just four easy steps.
How to clean sneakers by hand
1. Brush off excess dirt
First, brush off any excess dirt or debris on your sneakers with a small scrub brush. Ensure any clumps of mud, grass or dirt are removed before cleaning. It’s best to do this over a trashcan or outside to keep your floor mess-free.
2. Remove shoe laces
If you laces are grimy, remove the shoe laces to wash. You can either wash by hand with warm soapy water to remove dirt, or machine-wash on a cold, gentle cycle. Avoid putting them through the dryer as this can melt the plastic ends. Instead, leave them to air dry.
If they are fraying however, it’s probably time to replace them with new laces. Just be sure to measure your existing ones to check the correct length before buying.
3. Create a soapy cleaning mixture
Then, mix warm water with 1 to 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent in a large bucket, sink, or tub that is wide enough to submerge your sneakers. Dip an old toothbrush or small brush in the water and scrub around the eyelets to remove any dirt or grime. Wipe clean with a damp sponge or cloth. For sneakers with removable insoles, take them out and scrub clean with the soapy water.
4. Scrub the sneakers with a brush
Next, use your brush to scrub your sneakers with the soapy water until all the dirt has been removed. Apply the soapy mixture into the soles with a clean toothbrush. Scrub the soles of the shoes, taking care to get all the sides and the bottoms of the shoes. For stubborn stains or marks, you may need to repeat this process, or add a few more drops of dish soap to the solution. Once all clean, rinse off the residue well, before allowing your sneakers to air dry completely. Lace them back up if necessary.
How to clean sneakers in the washing machine
1. Check label and brush off dirt
First, check the label of your sneakers to make sure they can be put in the washing machine. Usually, it’s fine to machine-wash canvas and mesh shoes. If so, brush off any excess dirt and debris into the trash can or outside, before putting them in the washing machine.
2. Put sneakers in a mesh laundry bag
Next, place your sneakers inside a mesh laundry bag, to prevent the sneakers from marking up the drum. If your laces are particularly grimy, remove them and put them inside the same laundry bag. You can easily find shoe washing bags like this Vivifying Shoe Washing Bag ($12 (opens in new tab), Amazon (opens in new tab)), to protect them.
Another tip is to wash sneakers alongside towels to prevent the shoes from banging around in the washing machine.
3. Wash on a cool cycle
Next, run a gentle cycle with cool water, using the same amount of detergent as normal. Avoid using hot water as this may damage the sneaker. Never put them through the dryer, and always let the sneakers air dry. If you put them in front of any heat source, this may cause plastics to warp or ruin the shape of your favorite sneakers. Also, remove any insoles to dry separately, before wearing again.
How do I get rid of odors in sneakers?
If you have smelly sneakers, the best way to get rid of odors is to sprinkle some baking soda over the insides, and leave overnight. Then, simply shake out the excess baking soda before putting them on the next day. Baking soda has a mild alkaline pH, and is a natural deodorizer and cleaning agent. If you want to know more about the benefits of baking soda, read our useful guide on what makes baking soda and vinegar so good at cleaning. Just avoid these 7 things you should never clean with baking soda to prevent surface damage.
If you have suede footwear, check out how to clean suede shoes without ruining them, or how to clean golf shoes in four simple steps.
