How to Clean Sneakers

The shoes you wear serve as more than footwear since they become integral parts of your daily existence. White classics and running shoes and suede high-tops together with other designs will eventually need cleaning. My exploration of different cleaning techniques took many months because I tried YouTube hacks alongside store-bought solutions and grandma's tips and even tested magic erasers. Some worked. Most didn’t.


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After months of attempting different methods I discovered the proven techniques that produce clean sneakers. I present my tried-and-tested sneaker cleaning process which demonstrates actual success instead of theoretical information.

What You'll Need

A soft brush (toothbrush or sneaker brush)

Mild laundry detergent or dish soap

Baking soda

White vinegar (optional)

Microfiber cloth or towel

Warm water

A bowl or bucket

Magic eraser (for white soles)

Mesh laundry bag (optional for machine wash)

Step 1: Remove Laces and Insoles

Begin cleaning by taking out the laces together with the insoles. The process of cleaning becomes more efficient and successful after this initial preparation.
Laces: Soak in warm soapy water for 15–20 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
Insoles: Wipe with a cloth dampened with soap and water. Wetting them would cause extended drying times.

Step 2: Dry Brush the Dirt Off

You should use either a dry brush or an old toothbrush to brush away dust and loose dirt from your sneakers. The failure to brush off debris during my initial attempt taught me a valuable lesson. Rubbing mud throughout the area becomes the result of skipping this step.


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Step 3: Clean the Uppers (the Right Way)

Depending on the material, here's what worked best:

For Mesh or Fabric:

Mix 1 tsp of detergent with a cup of warm water

Dip your brush and scrub gently in circular motions

Don’t soak! Use a damp cloth to wipe the suds off

For Leather or Synthetic:

Use a magic eraser or a damp cloth with mild soap

Avoid harsh chemicals—they damage the finish

For Suede:

This was tricky. I ruined a suede pair trying to wash it like fabric.

Use a dry suede brush or eraser only

Never apply water directly

Step 4: Clean the Soles

This is where magic erasers shine.
You should use a magic eraser with water to remove scuffs on rubber soles.
For deep stains, mix baking soda + vinegar into a paste and apply with a toothbrush


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Step 5: Let Them Air Dry

Stuff shoes with paper towels to help retain their shape
The drying process should take place inside with protection from sunlight and heat sources.
Don’t rush this. The heat from the heater caused the glue in my shoes to melt completely. Lesson learned.

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Bonus: Machine Wash (Only If Safe)

I wash fabric sneakers with the machine on occasion when they become severely worn.

Place the shoes inside a mesh laundry bag.

Use cold water and gentle cycle

Air dry (never tumble dry!)

The method proves effective for canvas and mesh materials yet I never use it on leather suede or designer shoes.

Final Thoughts: My Favorite Combo

The combination of pre-brush dry dirt with mild detergent solution uppers and magic eraser for soles proved to be the most effective cleaning approach.

Pre-brush dry dirt

Scrub uppers with a mild detergent solution

Use a magic eraser for soles

Air dry with paper towels inside

The entire process requires 20-30 minutes of work followed by additional time for drying which produces outstanding outcomes.

Final Tips

Maintain regular cleaning of your sneakers because waiting until they become severely damaged will not help
Apply sneaker water-repellent spray to protect your footwear.
Proper storage methods will help prevent both creases and unpleasant odors.