How to Clean Sneakers? | The Routine That Works

Cleaning sneakers properly means hand-washing with mild soap and air-drying at room temperature to protect the materials.

Most sneakers get ruined not by wear but by the wrong cleaning routine. Skip the washing machine and the dryer, and you’re already ahead of most people. The reliable method is simple: dry brush, wash by hand, air dry, and repeat when needed. It takes about fifteen minutes of active work and then some patience while the shoes dry.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather a few basic supplies before touching the shoes. The right tools make the job faster and keep the materials safe from damage.

• Soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works well)
• Mild laundry detergent or dish soap
• Warm water
• Clean cloths or microfiber towels
• Baking soda for white or light-colored shoes

Nike’s official guide recommends mixing warm water with a small amount of mild detergent. adidas’s approach is nearly identical, with microfiber towels on its supply list. Both brands agree on the essentials: soft tools, mild soap, and no heat.

The Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

Start by removing the laces and knocking the soles together outdoors if you can, as Wirecutter suggests. This dislodges caked-on dirt before any water touches the shoe.

Step 1: Remove loose dirt. Brush the entire shoe with a dry soft-bristled brush. Pay extra attention to the tread and the sides of the sole. Skipping this step pushes grit into the fabric when you add water, which causes scuffs.

Step 2: Wash the laces separately. Hand-wash them with the same mild soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly and set them aside to dry.

Step 3: Clean the soles first. Mix a small amount of detergent into warm water. Dip your brush or cloth, scrub the outsole and midsole, then wipe away the suds with a damp cloth.

Step 4: Wash the uppers gently. Use a soft brush or cloth with the same soapy water. Work in small circular motions rather than scrubbing hard. For white sneakers, Nike recommends a paste of equal parts baking soda and water applied to stubborn spots.

Step 5: Rinse and blot. Wipe the uppers with a clean, damp cloth to remove soap residue. Blot rather than wring, and let the shoes air-dry at room temperature.

You’ll know the process worked when the water runs clear and the fabric looks fresh without soap streaks.

Material Matters: What Not to Do

Leather, canvas, and mesh all handle mild soap and water well, but suede does not. Suede should never be soaked; it needs a dry brush and specialized care. If your sneakers are suede, adjust your approach before wetting anything.

Two mistakes cause most cleaning damage. The first is using heat to speed up drying. Radiators, hairdryers, and dryers can warp, shrink, or deform shoes, and every major brand warns against them. The second is using abrasive tools. Steel wool, stiff scrub brushes, and rough sponges scratch fabrics and strip finishes. Stay with soft brushes and gentle pressure.

Washing machines are also risky. Unless the manufacturer explicitly states that a pair is machine-safe, hand-cleaning is the safer choice. If you’re deciding between replacing a worn pair or investing in a new one, our guide to American-made sneakers worth your money covers durable options that clean up well.

The bottom line is that consistency beats intensity. Clean your sneakers regularly with the dry-brush-first method, and they’ll look good far longer. When they’re beyond saving, that’s a good moment to check out high-quality American-made sneakers built to last.