How to Clean Puma Shoes: What PUMA Recommends
Quick answer: PUMA says never machine wash or dry sneakers. Use a suede brush and cleaner on suede, and a cloth with mild soap and cold water on leather, canvas and synthetic. Remove the foot bed, stuff with paper and air dry away from heat.
We compare PUMA and independent sources and show where they disagree.
How to Clean Puma Shoes: Sources Compared
PUMA is clear on one point: it does not recommend machine washing sneakers of any material. After that, advice depends on the upper. We read PUMA (its Canada help center and its South Africa and Mexico care pages), PUMA Moldova, The Lab, DecentFoot, Hibbett and Oxwork. They agree on no dryer or heat. They differ on whether any machine wash is acceptable and on what to use on suede.
| Source | Machine washing | Suede and nubuck | Leather, canvas, synthetic |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUMA (Canada help center) | Never machine-wash or machine-dry your shoes. | Brush with a suede brush and keep them from getting wet. | Leather: cloth, mild soap, cold water, do not soak. Nylon and canvas: mild soap and cold water, avoid bleach and harsh cleaners. Synthetic leather: soft cloth or brush, mild soap, cold water. |
| PUMA (South Africa) | Does not recommend it for any material, because glue and fastenings can be damaged. | Treat with a suede spray before first wear. Clean with a specialist suede cleaner and a brush. Never submerge. | Leather and nubuck: damp cloth with mild detergent or leather cleaner. Canvas: brush, then mild non-bleaching detergent with a cloth or toothbrush. Stuff with paper or a dry towel to dry. |
| PUMA (Mexico) | Do not ever recommend it. | No tumble dryer, no submerging, avoid wearing in wet weather. | Avoid bleaching detergents on canvas. Stuff with paper or a dry towel while drying. |
| PUMA Moldova | Never. | Dry cloth for dirt, suede brush for the nap, unscented baby wipes for marks. Damp cloth, no soap, for water stains. | Damp cloth with mild soap in cold water, circular motions. Air dry out of direct sun. |
| The Lab | Not covered. | Dry brush, cleaner sprayed from 15 to 20 cm, wet brush, wipes, microfiber towel, dry overnight. Brush in one direction only. | Not covered. |
| DecentFoot | Says not machine washable but gives steps for select models: mesh bag, cold gentle cycle, no bleach or softener. | Not covered. | Air dry, no dryer. |
| Hibbett | Athletic and mesh only if the label allows, gentle cold cycle. Canvas on a delicate cycle if the label allows. | Suede brush, suede eraser, then suede cleaner. Last resort white vinegar or dish soap with as little liquid as possible. | Leather cleaner then conditioner. Canvas hand wash with warm water and a soft brush. |
| Oxwork | Washes at 30 degrees C wrapped in a towel on a spin cycle. Pre-treat marks with white spirit or ammonia. | Avoid harsh scrubbing. | Mild detergent or dish soap in warm water. Baking soda paste for white shoes. |
PUMA sells these shoes, and The Lab, Hibbett and Oxwork sell products or shoes, so their advice reflects what they sell. None of the sources gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Step by Step: Cleaning Puma Shoes
The shared method for leather, canvas and synthetic uppers, with who says what:
- Wipe fresh dirt quickly. PUMA South Africa says clean and dry wet or dirty sneakers as quickly as possible.
- Remove the laces and foot bed. PUMA (Canada) says remove the foot bed to dry.
- Brush off loose dirt. PUMA South Africa says this for canvas.
- Cold water and mild soap on a cloth or soft brush. PUMA Canada and PUMA Moldova say so.
- Do not submerge. PUMA South Africa and Mexico say never submerge suede or leather.
- Stuff and air dry. Paper or a dry towel (PUMA South Africa), crumpled newspaper (PUMA Canada).
For other sneaker brands see our Adidas, New Balance and ASICS guides.
Cleaning Puma Suede
- Before first wear: PUMA South Africa says treat suede with a suede treatment spray, since suede does not handle water well.
- Routine: Suede brush (PUMA Canada). Specialist suede cleaner and a brush (PUMA South Africa).
- Marks: PUMA Moldova uses unscented baby wipes. Hibbett uses a suede eraser first.
- Water stains: PUMA Moldova dampens a cloth with warm water, dabs and air dries, no soap.
- Brush direction: The Lab says one direction only to avoid fraying.
- Wet weather: PUMA Mexico says avoid wearing suede on wet or rainy days.
See our nubuck and suede guide.
Leather, Canvas, Laces and Soles
- Leather: Damp cloth with mild soap in cold water (PUMA Canada). Hibbett adds leather cleaner and conditioner. See our leather shoe guide.
- Canvas and nylon: Mild, non-bleaching detergent with a cloth or old toothbrush (PUMA South Africa).
- Synthetic leather: Soft cloth or soft brush, mild soap, cold water (PUMA Canada). See our faux leather guide.
- White pairs: Oxwork uses a baking soda and water paste. See our white shoe guide.
- Laces: PUMA Moldova scrubs with cold water and mild soap and air dries. See our shoelace guide.
- Soles and foot beds: PUMA Moldova scrubs soles with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, no running water, and cleans smelly foot beds with a damp cloth. See our shoe sole guide.
The PUMA pages we read do not name a specific model line such as Suede, RS-X or Speedcat. Check the label on your pair.
Can You Machine Wash Puma?
PUMA says no, for every material. Others disagree. Hibbett allows athletic, mesh and canvas pairs only if the care label allows it, on a gentle cold cycle. DecentFoot says Puma shoes are not machine washable and then gives a mesh bag, cold gentle cycle method for select models. Oxwork washes at 30 degrees C in a towel.
General advice: PUMA is the maker, and its reason is the glue and fastenings. If a pair has a care label that allows machine washing, that is the only case where we would consider it. See our washing machine guide for the general rules.
Drying Puma Shoes
- Foot bed out: PUMA Canada.
- Shape: Paper or a dry towel (PUMA South Africa), crumpled newspaper (PUMA Canada).
- Heat: PUMA Canada says keep away from radiators, dryers and space heaters. PUMA Moldova says no clothes dryer or blow-dryer.
- Sun: PUMA Moldova says air dry out of direct sun.
- Suede: The Lab dries overnight and applies protector only once fully dry.
Where the Sources Disagree
Machine washing. PUMA says never. Hibbett and DecentFoot allow it for some pairs, and Oxwork describes a 30 degree wash.
Soap on suede. PUMA Moldova says no soap for water stains. Hibbett suggests dish soap as a last resort. General advice: follow PUMA and use a suede cleaner.
Water temperature. Cold (PUMA Canada, PUMA Moldova), warm (Hibbett, Oxwork).
Pre-treating stains. Oxwork suggests white spirit or ammonia. No other source does, and PUMA warns against harsh cleaners on nylon and canvas.
Questions About Cleaning Puma, Answered
“Can you wash Puma shoes in the washing machine?”
PUMA says no, for any material.
“How do you clean Puma Suede?”
A suede brush and a specialist suede cleaner. Keep it dry. Spray a suede treatment before first wear (PUMA South Africa).
“How do you clean white Pumas?”
Mild soap and cold water on a cloth (PUMA Canada). Oxwork uses a baking soda paste.
“How do you clean Puma canvas?”
Brush off dirt, then mild non-bleaching detergent with a cloth or toothbrush (PUMA South Africa).
“Can you use bleach?”
No. PUMA Canada says avoid bleach on nylon and canvas.
“How do you dry Puma shoes?”
Foot bed out, stuffed with paper, air dry away from heat.
“Can I wear suede in the rain?”
PUMA Mexico says avoid it.
“How do you clean the soles?”
A barely damp cloth and mild soap, no running water (PUMA Moldova).
Mistakes to Avoid
- The washer and dryer. PUMA.
- Submerging suede or leather. PUMA South Africa and Mexico.
- Bleach and harsh cleaners on nylon and canvas. PUMA Canada.
- Radiators, space heaters and direct sun. PUMA Canada, PUMA Moldova.
- Brushing suede in several directions. The Lab.
- Applying protector before the shoes are dry. The Lab.
How we checked this
- Steps come from PUMA (Canada, South Africa and Mexico), PUMA Moldova, The Lab, DecentFoot, Hibbett and Oxwork. We name who says each thing.
- The sources differ on machine washing and suede soap, so we show each side. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- PUMA sells these shoes. Several sources sell products or shoes. None gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Puma Cleaning Helpers
A suede kit, a general brush kit and a protector spray cover what PUMA and the other sources describe. These are listed on Amazon.
Jason Markk Suede Essentials Kit
A brush and eraser set for suede, such as Puma Suede sneakers.
Check it on Amazon
Jason Markk Essential Shoe Cleaning Kit
A soft brush and gentle cleaner for leather, canvas and synthetic uppers.
Check it on Amazon
Crep Protect shoe protector spray
A water and stain repellent. PUMA suggests treating suede before first wear.
Check it on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can you machine wash Puma shoes?
PUMA says no, for any material.
How do you clean Puma Suede?
A suede brush and specialist suede cleaner. Keep it dry.
What soap should I use?
Mild soap in cold water on leather, canvas and synthetic (PUMA Canada).
Can you use bleach?
No. PUMA Canada says avoid it on nylon and canvas.
How do you dry them?
Foot bed out, stuffed with paper, air dry away from heat.
Do you need to protect suede?
PUMA South Africa says treat it with a suede spray before first wear.
Can you wear suede in rain?
PUMA Mexico says avoid it.
How do you clean the soles?
A barely damp cloth and mild soap (PUMA Moldova).
The Short Version
Keep Pumas out of the washer and dryer, match the method to the upper and air dry them with the foot bed out.
