How to Clean ASICS Shoes: What ASICS Recommends
Quick answer: ASICS says hand wash with mild soap, a soft brush and warm water, never in the washer or dryer, and air dry away from heat. Suede, leather and nubuck panels need a designed cleaner.
We compare ASICS and independent sources and show where they disagree.
How to Clean ASICS Shoes: Sources Compared
ASICS is unusually direct: its own care pages say never put running shoes in the washing machine or dryer. Other sources disagree. We read ASICS (its Australian and Danish care pages), The Lab (a cleaning brand) on the GEL-Lyte, Reshoevn8r on the GEL-1130, BigShoes, Foot Locker UK, Brooks, Marathon Handbook and Advnture. They agree on no dryer or heat. They differ on the washing machine, how much water, and what to use on suede and knit panels.
| Source | Washing machine | Hand washing | Drying |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASICS (Australia) | Never in the washer or dryer. Says it can ruin shape and dull colors. | Mild soap or detergent, soft brush, warm water. Do not fully submerge. Leather, suede or nubuck need a designed cleaner. Waterproof uppers need a special cleaner and a reapplied repellent. | Air dry in a temperate, low-humidity spot. Paper towels inside, fan if needed. No heat source. |
| ASICS (Denmark) | Do not. Soaking can damage the fabric and adhesives. | Gentle, clothing-safe products. No bleach or household cleaners. | No dryer, radiator or direct sunlight. Air dry. |
| The Lab (GEL-Lyte) | Not covered. | Dry brush first. Sneaker cleaner on suede without oversaturating, brush in one direction. Cleaner and wet brush in circles on knit areas and soles. | Wipe with a microfiber towel and set aside to dry. |
| Reshoevn8r (GEL-1130) | After hand cleaning, bag with a laundry pod and wash cold on a normal cycle. | Dry brush first. Soft brush with solution on mesh, medium on midsole, stiff on outsole. | Air dry fully. Blot between steps. Never in the dryer. |
| BigShoes | Not covered. | Mild liquid detergent in warm water. Baking soda and vinegar suggested for white pairs. | Air dry, away from sun, stuffed with newspaper. |
| Foot Locker UK | Lists ASICS among brands that advise hand washing. | Not covered. | Air dry at room temperature, no tumble drying. |
| Brooks | Do not machine wash, even on a hand-wash setting. | Mild detergent in warm water. Soaking mesh shoes often removes most dirt. | Air dry with tissue or newspaper inside. Away from heat. |
| Marathon Handbook | Possible, but it prefers hand washing. Bag, gentle cycle, low heat, avoid front loaders. | Soft brush, firm brush, mild detergent, basin. | Fan, shoe dryer or newspaper. No radiators or dryers. |
| Advnture | Advises against it. Allows it only for older, basic shoes if necessary. | Hand wash lessens the risk of damage, per Inov-8 quoted in the article. | Not covered. |
ASICS sells these shoes, and Reshoevn8r and The Lab sell cleaning products, 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: Hand Washing ASICS
The ASICS method, with where other sources add to it:
- Remove the laces and insoles. ASICS (Australia) says wash the laces separately.
- Dry brush loose dirt first. Reshoevn8r and The Lab say so, and Reshoevn8r says wetting first can push dirt into the mesh.
- Mild soap, soft brush, warm water. ASICS and BigShoes say so. ASICS says do not fully submerge.
- Wipe and rinse. ASICS says wipe with a wet towel for mesh, canvas or fabric uppers.
- Clean the insoles. ASICS says scrub with a brush, then a sponge with cleaning solution. A baking soda paste or half vinegar and water is optional.
- Air dry. Paper towels inside, a fan if needed (ASICS).
For other running shoe brands see our running shoe guide, Hoka and New Balance guides.
Mesh, Suede, Waterproof and White Pairs
- Mesh and knit: ASICS says sponge and warm soapy water. Brooks says soaking mesh often removes most dirt. See our knit shoe guide.
- Suede panels (such as GEL-Lyte and GEL-Kayano retro styles): ASICS says leather, suede or nubuck need a designed cleaner because soap and water can harm them. The Lab sprays cleaner without oversaturating and brushes in one direction. See our nubuck and suede guide.
- Waterproof uppers (GORE-TEX): ASICS says use a special cleaner and reapply the water repellent.
- White pairs: BigShoes suggests baking soda and vinegar in warm water. See our white shoe guide.
- Midsoles and outsoles: Reshoevn8r uses a medium brush on the midsole and a stiff brush on the outsole. See our shoe sole guide.
ASICS pages we read do not name a specific model line. Check the care label on your pair.
Can You Machine Wash ASICS?
This is where the sources split. ASICS (both pages), Brooks and Advnture say no. Foot Locker says brands including ASICS advise hand washing. Reshoevn8r bags the shoes and runs a cold normal cycle after hand cleaning. Marathon Handbook says it is possible but prefers hand washing.
If you do it anyway, Marathon Handbook says bag the shoes, use a gentle cycle, low heat and mild detergent, and skip front loaders. Foot Locker says keep the spin low and avoid 40 degrees C. General advice: ASICS is the maker, and it says no. Follow that to protect the glue and foam.
See our washing machine guide for the general rules.
Drying and Odor
- Location: ASICS says a temperate, low-humidity area. BigShoes says well ventilated and away from sunlight.
- Stuffing: Paper towels (ASICS), newspaper (BigShoes, Brooks). BigShoes says replace it if the shoes are still wet.
- Fan: ASICS and Marathon Handbook allow one.
- Sun: ASICS (Denmark) and BigShoes say avoid direct sun. Marathon Handbook says 15 to 20 minutes can help against bacteria but prolonged sun can damage suede, leather and fabrics.
- Odor: ASICS sprinkles baking soda inside once dry.
Where the Sources Disagree
Washing machine. ASICS, Brooks and Advnture say no. Reshoevn8r runs a cold cycle after hand cleaning. Marathon Handbook allows it with precautions.
Soaking. Brooks says soaking mesh often removes most dirt. ASICS says do not fully submerge, and ASICS Denmark says soaking can damage fabric and adhesives.
Sun. ASICS Denmark says avoid. Marathon Handbook allows a short time.
Dry brushing first. Reshoevn8r and The Lab recommend it. ASICS does not mention it.
Questions About Cleaning ASICS, Answered
“Can you wash ASICS in the washing machine?”
ASICS says no. See the sources above for the exceptions other sites give.
“Can you put ASICS in the dryer?”
No. ASICS warns high temperatures could ruin the materials.
“What soap should I use?”
Mild soap or detergent (ASICS). Specialized sneaker cleaner for tougher dirt (BigShoes).
“How do you clean suede ASICS?”
A designed suede cleaner, not soap and water (ASICS). Brush in one direction (The Lab).
“How do you clean white ASICS?”
BigShoes suggests baking soda and vinegar in warm water.
“How do you dry ASICS?”
Air dry with paper towels inside, a fan if needed.
“How do you get the smell out?”
ASICS sprinkles baking soda inside after drying.
“Can you use bleach?”
No. ASICS Denmark says avoid bleach and household cleaners.
Mistakes to Avoid
- The washer and dryer. ASICS.
- Bleach and household cleaners. ASICS (Denmark).
- Radiators, heaters and direct sun. ASICS (Denmark).
- Fully submerging. ASICS.
- Soap and water on suede or nubuck. ASICS.
- Oversaturating suede. The Lab.
- Wetting before dry brushing. Reshoevn8r.
How we checked this
- Steps come from ASICS (Australia and Denmark), The Lab, Reshoevn8r, BigShoes, Foot Locker UK, Brooks, Marathon Handbook and Advnture. We name who says each thing.
- The sources differ on machine washing, soaking and sun, so we show each side. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- ASICS sells these shoes. Some sources sell cleaning products. None gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
ASICS Cleaning Helpers
A soft brush kit, a suede kit and a protector spray cover what ASICS and the other sources describe. These are listed on Amazon.
Jason Markk Essential Shoe Cleaning Kit
A soft brush and gentle cleaner for mesh and knit uppers.
Check it on Amazon
Jason Markk Suede Essentials Kit
A brush and eraser set for suede panels, which ASICS says need a designed cleaner.
Check it on Amazon
Crep Protect shoe protector spray
A water and stain repellent to apply after cleaning.
Check it on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can you machine wash ASICS?
ASICS says never. Reshoevn8r and Marathon Handbook describe it as possible with precautions.
Can ASICS go in the dryer?
No. ASICS warns heat could ruin the materials.
What soap should I use?
Mild soap or detergent (ASICS).
How do you clean suede panels?
A designed cleaner, not soap and water (ASICS).
How do you dry them?
Air dry with paper towels inside, a fan if needed.
How do you clean the insoles?
Scrub with a brush, then a sponge with cleaning solution (ASICS).
How do you get the smell out?
Baking soda inside once dry (ASICS).
Can you use bleach?
No (ASICS Denmark).
The Short Version
Follow the maker: hand wash gently, treat suede with a proper cleaner, keep heat away and let them air dry.
Keep Reading
Sources
- ASICS Australia: How to clean your running shoes
- ASICS Denmark: How to clean running shoes
- The Lab: How to clean ASICS GEL-Lyte
- Reshoevn8r: How to clean ASICS GEL-1130
- BigShoes: How to clean ASICS shoes
- Foot Locker UK: How to wash trainers in a washing machine
- Brooks: How to clean running shoes
- Marathon Handbook: How to wash running shoes
- Advnture: Should you wash running shoes in the washing machine
