How to Clean New Balance Shoes: What the Brand and Specialists Say
Quick answer: New Balance says not to put its shoes in the washing machine or dryer. Brush off dry dirt, scrub gently with mild detergent and a soft brush, use a suede product on suede, and air dry for 24 hours.
We compare New Balance with retailers and specialists and show where they disagree.
How to Clean New Balance Shoes: Sources Compared
New Balance publishes one short care page, and most of the detail comes from retailers and cleaning brands. We read the New Balance product care page, a schuh guide, four Sneaker LAB guides (574, 9060, 990v6, Fresh Foam X 1080v13), SneakERASERS, SNKRDUNK, KicksWrap and Freaky Shoes. They agree on the main point: hand clean, do not machine wash.
| Source | Machine washing | Cleaning method | Drying and avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Balance (product care page) | “We do not suggest putting any of our shoes into the washing machine or dryer.” Many materials should not be fully submerged or heated. | Mild, dye-free dish or laundry detergent and a bristle brush such as a toothbrush. Test a hidden spot first, scrub, wipe with a damp cloth. Use a cleaner made for leather or suede on those materials. | Air dry for 24 hours before wearing. |
| schuh | No. Heat, soaking and aggressive cycles can damage materials or construction. | Dry brush first. Soapy lukewarm water on a cloth or soft brush in small circles, light pressure on mesh. Soft brush on midsoles, toothbrush for tread. Suede: brush one way, eraser or suede cleaner. | Room temperature, away from radiators, tumble dryers, hair dryers and sun. Stuff with paper towels or plain paper. No bleach. |
| Freaky Shoes (574) | “Never soak or machine wash your sneakers.” Water, heat and spinning can ruin suede and mesh. | Suede eraser and one-way brush. Deeper suede stains: dab with equal parts white vinegar and water. Wipe mesh with a damp microfiber cloth. Baking soda paste on soles. | Air dry at room temperature, up to 24 hours, paper towels changed every few hours. Never direct heat. |
| SNKRDUNK | Only for sneakers made entirely of fabric such as mesh. Most New Balance pairs mix in leather, so it advises against a full wash. | Shoe tree, dry brush, eraser (black for suede and nubuck, white for leather), sneaker cleaner on a soft brush, midsole then outsole. | Does not give drying steps. Says wet leather loses oils and can crack, and water can weaken sole adhesive. Not OxiClean. |
| KicksWrap | Does not recommend it. Most pairs contain leather, and water can weaken water-soluble adhesives. | Dry brush, black eraser on suede and nubuck, cleaner with a brush, then moisture mist from at least 15 cm away and a brass brush to lift the nap. | Does not give drying steps. “It is absolutely not advisable to soak your sneakers in Oxy.” |
| SneakERASERS | Does not give machine advice. Hand cleaning only. | Mild detergent and warm water at 1:10. Soft brush top to bottom, toothbrush for stitching. Its sponge on soles, its soak product for heavy mesh. | Air dry 24 to 48 hours with paper towels. No dryer, radiator, vent, hair dryer or direct sun. |
New Balance’s page is short and does not cover mesh, insoles, laces or temperatures. Sneaker LAB, SneakERASERS and KicksWrap sell care products, so their steps use their own range. We have not tested any of these methods.
Can You Machine Wash New Balance Shoes?
No source in our set recommends machine washing a standard New Balance:
- New Balance: does not suggest the washing machine or the dryer for any of its shoes.
- schuh: hand cleaning is safer, because heat, soaking and aggressive cycles can damage materials or construction.
- Freaky Shoes: never soak or machine wash.
- SNKRDUNK: only sneakers made entirely of fabric such as mesh could be washed, with ordinary laundry detergent. Most pairs mix in leather, so a full wash is not advised. Wet leather loses its natural oils and can crack, fade or harden.
- KicksWrap: sole adhesives are often water-soluble, so water can weaken the glue and damage the upper.
General advice: New Balance’s own page is the one to follow. Suede overlays on a 574, 530, 327 or 990 settle it. For laces only, a mesh bag is the usual approach, see our washing machine guide for the full routine and the exceptions.
Step by Step: Hand Cleaning New Balance
The shared hand-cleaning method, with who says what:
- Tap the soles together and dry-brush. SneakERASERS, schuh and Sneaker LAB all remove loose dirt before adding any liquid. SNKRDUNK inserts a shoe tree first to smooth creases.
- Take out laces and insoles. schuh washes laces separately in lukewarm water with mild soap and wipes insoles with a lightly damp cloth rather than soaking them.
- Clean the upper in sections. New Balance: mild, dye-free detergent and a bristle brush such as a toothbrush, after testing a hidden spot. schuh: small circles, one section at a time, with a second damp cloth to remove the soap.
- Clean the midsole and outsole. schuh uses a soft brush with care near painted and glued areas, and a toothbrush for tread. Freaky Shoes uses a baking soda paste for stubborn marks.
- Air dry. See the drying section.
SneakERASERS says to clean from the cleanest areas toward the dirtiest so you do not spread grime, and to “swipe, don’t scrub” with its sponge. schuh warns against bleach, which can discolour materials or damage finishes.
By Model: 574, 990, 9060, Fresh Foam
574 (suede and mesh). Sneaker LAB sprays its cleaner on the shoes, scrubs the suede and mesh in circles with a wet brush until foam forms, and wipes the suede overlays with a microfibre towel without soaking them. Freaky Shoes uses a suede eraser and a one-way brush, and for deeper marks dabs with a cloth dampened with equal parts white vinegar and water, then lets it dry and brushes again. Both warn against too much water on suede.
990v6 (suede and mesh, Made in USA). Sneaker LAB treats each material differently: for suede, dip the brush in clean water, tap off the excess, scrub in small circles and dry right away, because “we don’t want to get the suede oversaturated with liquid.” Mesh can take more water. Soles get cleaner and firmer pressure.
9060 (mesh). Sneaker LAB sprays cleaner, scrubs the mesh in circles with a wet brush until a foamy lather forms, pats it with a microfiber towel and air dries it. It lists no material-specific warnings for this model.
Fresh Foam and running models. Sneaker LAB cleans the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 the same way: cleaner over the whole shoe, wet brush on the mesh in circles, blot with a towel, and “allow your performance sneakers time to air dry naturally.” SneakERASERS adds that for heavily soiled mesh uppers its soak product can be used for 2 hours to overnight, and to give extra time to high-wear areas such as the toe box. Our running shoe guide covers the wider routine.
Leather accents. SneakERASERS says cleaning products do not condition, so leather accents need separate conditioning. SNKRDUNK says a white eraser suits leather and that moisturizing afterwards helps replace oils. Our leather shoe guide goes further.
Suede and nubuck. SNKRDUNK and KicksWrap use a black eraser on suede and nubuck and a brass brush to raise the nap after moisturizing. KicksWrap sprays its moisture mist from at least 15 cm away because spraying too close can cause stains. See our nubuck and suede guide.
Laces, Insoles and White Midsoles
Laces. schuh washes them separately in lukewarm water with mild soap and dries them flat. Freaky Shoes soaks them in warm water with mild detergent for 15 to 20 minutes, scrubs, rinses and air dries. SNKRDUNK soaks them in water with about five pumps of cleaner. Sneaker LAB sprays cleaner on them, rubs them together and soaks until clean. See our shoelace guide.
Insoles and odour. schuh and Freaky Shoes both sprinkle bicarbonate of soda or baking soda on dry insoles overnight and brush it off. Sneaker LAB sprays its odor protector inside the shoe and on removable insoles. SNKRDUNK says baking soda is acceptable only for all-fabric sneakers and not for mixed-material pairs.
White midsoles. SneakERASERS scrubs rubber soles and white midsoles with a stiffer brush and uses its sponge on soles. For yellowed rubber see our shoe sole guide.
How to Dry New Balance Shoes
Where a source covers drying, it says air dry and avoid heat:
- New Balance: air dry for 24 hours before wearing.
- SneakERASERS: a ventilated area away from sunlight, with clean paper towels inside to hold the shape. It expects 24 to 48 hours in moderate humidity and warns heat can warp materials and break down adhesives.
- schuh: room temperature, away from radiators, tumble dryers, hair dryers and direct sun. It warns that printed newspaper can transfer ink onto pale linings.
- Freaky Shoes: paper towels or dry cloths replaced every few hours, up to 24 hours. “Never use direct heat.” Heat can shrink suede, warp rubber soles and fade colours. Brush suede once dry.
- Sneaker LAB: air dry, and do not re-lace until shoes and laces are completely dry.
Where the Sources Disagree
Machine washing all-fabric pairs. SNKRDUNK allows it for sneakers made entirely of fabric. New Balance, schuh and Freaky Shoes say none of the shoes. General advice: follow New Balance’s page and the label.
Water on suede. Sneaker LAB dips the brush in water and dries right away. SneakERASERS gives no suede steps. Freaky Shoes uses a vinegar and water dab for deeper stains, and schuh says not to saturate it. General advice: start dry, use a barely damp brush and blot.
Vinegar. Freaky Shoes recommends it on suede. New Balance, schuh and Sneaker LAB do not mention it. General advice: test a hidden spot first, as New Balance says for any detergent.
Baking soda. schuh and Freaky Shoes use it on dry insoles. SNKRDUNK says only for all-fabric pairs. General advice: on removable insoles, brushed off, it is the shared use.
Oxygen bleach products. SNKRDUNK and KicksWrap advise against soaking in OxiClean, and schuh advises against bleach. No source in our set recommends them.
Questions New Balance Owners Ask, Answered
“Can you put New Balance shoes in the washing machine?”
New Balance says it does not suggest putting any of its shoes in the washing machine or dryer. SNKRDUNK allows it only for sneakers made entirely of fabric.
“How do you clean white New Balance shoes?”
Mild detergent and a soft brush, then a damp cloth (New Balance). SneakERASERS scrubs white midsoles with a stiffer brush and its sponge.
“How do you clean New Balance 574 suede?”
Brush dry, then an eraser and a one-way brush (Freaky Shoes), or a barely wet brush and a quick dry (Sneaker LAB). Do not soak it.
“How do you clean New Balance 990 or 9060?”
Sneaker LAB cleans both by hand with cleaner and a wet brush. For the 990v6, dry suede right away; for the 9060, scrub mesh in circles and pat dry.
“How do you clean New Balance running shoes?”
Sneaker LAB uses cleaner, a wet brush on the mesh, a towel blot and air drying for the Fresh Foam X 1080v13. SneakERASERS soaks heavily soiled mesh for 2 hours to overnight.
“Can I use OxiClean or bleach on New Balance?”
SNKRDUNK and KicksWrap advise against OxiClean, and schuh advises against bleach.
“How long do New Balance take to dry?”
New Balance says 24 hours before wearing. SneakERASERS says 24 to 48 hours in moderate humidity.
“How do I get the smell out?”
Baking soda on dry insoles overnight (schuh, Freaky Shoes), or an odor spray (Sneaker LAB).
Mistakes to Avoid
- The washing machine and dryer. New Balance does not suggest either.
- Soaking suede or leather. Freaky Shoes and SNKRDUNK warn about dark spots, lost oils and cracking.
- Bleach and OxiClean. schuh, SNKRDUNK and KicksWrap warn.
- Heat, sun and hair dryers. SneakERASERS and schuh warn about warped materials and weakened adhesives.
- Aggressive scrubbing. Freaky Shoes says it can damage suede and fray mesh.
- Printed newspaper as stuffing. schuh says the ink can transfer to pale linings.
- Skipping the hidden-spot test. New Balance and Freaky Shoes both say to test first.
How we checked this
- Steps come from New Balance, schuh, four Sneaker LAB guides, SneakERASERS, SNKRDUNK, KicksWrap and Freaky Shoes. We name who says each thing.
- The sources differ on all-fabric machine washing, suede water use and vinegar, so we show each side. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- Several sources sell care products. None gives test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
New Balance Shoe Care Helpers
A shoe cleaner kit, a suede kit and a mesh wash bag cover the steps the sources describe. These are listed on Amazon.
Jason Markk Essential Shoe Cleaning Kit
A shoe cleaner with a brush and microfiber towel.
Check it on Amazon
Jason Markk Suede Essentials Bundle
A four-piece set with a cleaning solution, brush and eraser for suede and nubuck.
Check it on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean New Balance shoes?
Brush off dry dirt, scrub with mild, dye-free detergent and a soft brush, wipe with a damp cloth, then air dry for 24 hours (New Balance).
Can you put New Balance shoes in the washing machine?
New Balance does not suggest putting any of its shoes in the washing machine or dryer.
How do you clean New Balance 574 suede?
Brush dry, use an eraser and a one-way brush (Freaky Shoes), or a barely wet brush dried at once (Sneaker LAB).
How do you clean New Balance 990 and 9060?
Sneaker LAB hand cleans both with cleaner and a wet brush. Dry suede on the 990v6 right away.
How do you clean white New Balance?
Mild detergent and a soft brush on the upper, a stiffer brush on white midsoles (SneakERASERS).
Can you use OxiClean or bleach?
SNKRDUNK and KicksWrap advise against OxiClean. schuh advises against bleach.
How long do New Balance take to dry?
24 hours before wearing per New Balance, and 24 to 48 hours in moderate humidity per SneakERASERS.
How do you get odour out?
Baking soda on dry insoles overnight, brushed off (schuh, Freaky Shoes), or an odor spray (Sneaker LAB).
The Short Version
Follow New Balance’s own advice: no washing machine or dryer, mild detergent and a soft brush, a suede product for suede, and 24 hours of air drying.
Keep Reading
Sources
- New Balance: Product care
- schuh: How to clean New Balance trainers
- Sneaker LAB: How to clean the New Balance 574
- Sneaker LAB: How to clean New Balance 9060
- Sneaker LAB: How to clean New Balance 990v6
- Sneaker LAB: How to clean New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13
- SneakERASERS: How to clean New Balance shoes
- SNKRDUNK: A guide to cleaning New Balance shoes
- KicksWrap: New Balance washing manual
- Freaky Shoes: How to clean New Balance 574
