How to Clean Sneakers Without Ruining Them
Quick answer: Hand clean with a soft brush and a mild solution, treat stains with baking soda paste, and air dry with paper inside. Nike does not recommend machine washing. Some sources allow it for synthetic pairs on a cold gentle cycle in a mesh bag. No source recommends a dryer.
We compare Nike and independent sources and show where they disagree.
How to Clean Sneakers: Sources Compared
Nike says it does not recommend washing shoes in a washing machine. Real Homes tested hand and machine washing on running trainers and preferred the machine. Reviewed, Cleanipedia and Foot Locker give machine steps with conditions. Hibbett says to follow the care label. They agree on one thing: no tumble dryer.
| Source | Machine washing | Hand cleaning | Drying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nike (Bulgaria page) | Does not recommend it. Hand washing is safest and bulky items can damage the washer. | Mild cleaning solution and brush. Baking soda paste for stains, 10 to 15 minutes, wipe with a damp microfibre cloth. | Air dry. No dryer. |
| Nike (UK page) | Not recommended, and dryer heat can deform shoes. | Dry-brush, mild washing-up liquid or laundry detergent solution, blot rather than rub. Clean about every two weeks. | Air dry at room temperature. Many pairs need at least 8 hours. Stuff with newspaper or use shoe trees. |
| Real Homes | Tested. Laces and insoles out, mesh bag with towels, gentle cycle, lukewarm water, small amount of mild detergent. | Warm water, mild detergent, baking soda paste, 15 minute soak, scrub in circles. | Shaded, warm, dry spot. Direct sun only for all-white shoes. Stuff with paper towels. |
| Reviewed | Cold water, gentle cycle, 4 to 6 towels, mesh bag. Laces in their own bag. | Pretreat spots with mild liquid detergent for 30 minutes. | Air dry only. A fan can speed it up. |
| Cleanipedia (Unilever) | Half the usual detergent, gentle cool cycle, mesh bag, towels in the drum. | Wipe and spot treat if you are unsure. | Air dry naturally in the sun. Stuff to keep the shape. |
| Foot Locker (Czech Republic) | 30 degrees C, gentle or delicate cycle, low spin, mild liquid detergent. 40 degrees C may shrink sneakers. | Not covered. | Room temperature, out of direct sun and away from radiators. |
| Hibbett | Only if the care label allows it. Canvas on delicate, mesh on cold gentle. | Leather cleaner then conditioner. Canvas with warm water and a soft brush. Suede with a brush, eraser, then cleaner. | Stuff and air dry away from heat and sun. No dryer. |
Nike, Foot Locker and Hibbett sell shoes, and Cleanipedia is run by Unilever, which sells laundry brands. Real Homes is a magazine that tested one pair. None of the pages gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Step by Step: Hand Cleaning Sneakers
Hand cleaning is the method every source accepts. The steps below combine what they share, with who says what:
- Remove laces and insoles. Nike UK, Real Homes, Reviewed and Foot Locker.
- Dry-brush loose dirt. Nike UK says to dry-brush first.
- Clean the upper with a mild solution. Nike UK uses washing-up liquid or mild laundry detergent, applied with a soft brush and blotted with a microfibre towel. It warns against bleach and high concentrations of washing-up liquid.
- Treat stains with baking soda paste. Nike (both pages) and Real Homes. Nike leaves it 10 to 15 minutes.
- Scrub soles separately. Nike UK uses the same solution on the outsole and midsole.
- Air dry. Stuffed with paper, with no dryer.
See our guides for white shoes, shoelaces and soles.
Cleaning by Material and Brand
- Mesh and knit: Nike UK brushes the solution in the same direction as the knit, wipes with a clean cloth and avoids bleach. See our knit shoe guide.
- Cotton, nylon, canvas, polyester: Nike (Bulgaria page) says these are generally safe to hand wash with a mild solution.
- Leather: Nike UK dry-brushes, then uses a mild washing-up liquid solution, and says not to scrub too hard. Hibbett uses leather cleaner and conditioner. See our leather shoe guide.
- Suede: Brush with the nap, rub marks with a suede or pencil rubber (Nike UK). Hibbett uses as little liquid as possible. See our nubuck and suede guide.
- Brand guides: Adidas, New Balance, Puma, Converse, Vans and Air Force 1.
Machine Washing Sneakers
If the label and the maker allow it, the sources describe the same basic setup:
- Check the material first. Foot Locker says leather, suede, rubber and vinyl should be hand washed and that synthetics such as nylon, polyester, cotton and canvas are typically durable enough for a machine. It lists Nike, New Balance, ASICS, Salomon, UGG and ON Running as generally advising hand washing.
- Do not wash a failing pair. Cleanipedia says to avoid the machine for shoes with failing glue or that are coming apart, and for any pair where the brand advises against it.
- Bag and balance. Mesh bag plus towels (Real Homes, Reviewed, Cleanipedia, Foot Locker). Reviewed says four to six towels. Foot Locker says an old pillowcase works if you have no bag.
- Gentle and cool. Cold water (Reviewed), cool (Cleanipedia), lukewarm (Real Homes), 30 degrees C (Foot Locker).
- Little detergent. Half the usual dose (Cleanipedia), mild liquid (Foot Locker). Foot Locker says avoid bleach and fabric softener.
Real Homes found the machine-washed shoe came out slightly cleaner than the hand-washed one, on one pair of running trainers. Nike disagrees with doing it at all. For rules on loads and cycles see our washing machine guide.
Drying Sneakers
- No dryer. Every source. Foot Locker says heat weakens glue and warps soles. Reviewed says glue can come off.
- Shape: Crumpled newspaper or a shoe tree (Nike UK), paper towels swapped every couple of hours (Real Homes), plastic bags (Cleanipedia).
- Time: Nike UK says many pairs need at least 8 hours. Real Homes gives 24 to 48 hours in one box and up to 72 hours in the hand method section.
- Speed it up: Reviewed says a fan aimed at the shoes can help.
- Odor: Real Homes sprinkles baking soda inside overnight.
Where the Sources Disagree
Machine or hand. Nike says hand wash. Real Homes preferred the machine on one pair. Hibbett says follow the label. General advice: hand clean unless the care label allows the machine.
Water temperature. Cold (Reviewed), cool (Cleanipedia), lukewarm (Real Homes), 30 degrees C (Foot Locker), warm for hand washing (Nike, Real Homes).
Sun. Cleanipedia dries in the sun. Foot Locker and Real Homes say keep out of direct sun, apart from all-white shoes for Real Homes.
Baking soda. Nike and Real Homes use it on stains. Reviewed says not to use it on leather or suede.
Vinegar on suede. Nike UK scrubs stubborn suede stains with white vinegar. Hibbett treats it as a last resort with as little liquid as possible.
Questions About Cleaning Sneakers, Answered
“Can you put sneakers in the washing machine?”
Nike says it does not recommend it. Others allow it for synthetic pairs with conditions.
“How often should you clean sneakers?”
Nike UK says about every two weeks, or when they look dirty.
“What is the best way to clean white sneakers?”
Baking soda paste and a toothbrush, 10 to 15 minutes, then a damp microfibre cloth (Nike).
“Can you use bleach?”
No. Nike UK and Foot Locker both say avoid it.
“How long do sneakers take to dry?”
At least 8 hours (Nike UK). Real Homes lists 24 to 48 hours.
“Can you tumble dry sneakers?”
No source recommends it.
“How do you clean the soles?”
Soft brush or toothbrush with the same mild solution (Nike UK).
“How do you clean sneaker laces?”
Take them out and massage with a little solution, rinse and dab dry (Nike UK).
Mistakes to Avoid
- The dryer. Nike, Foot Locker and Reviewed.
- Bleach and harsh cleaners. Nike UK, Foot Locker.
- Too much washing-up liquid. Nike UK says it can discolour or strip natural oils.
- Rubbing when blotting. Nike UK says it can wear the fabric or spread dirt.
- Hot water. Reviewed says it can warp shoes and melt glue.
- Radiators and direct sun. Foot Locker.
How we checked this
- Steps come from Nike (two pages), Real Homes, Reviewed, Cleanipedia, Foot Locker and Hibbett. We name who says each thing.
- The sources differ on machine washing, water temperature and sun, so we show each side. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- Some sources sell shoes or laundry products. Real Homes tested one pair. None gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Sneaker Cleaning Helpers
A brush kit, mesh wash bags and a cleaning eraser cover the tools the sources above describe. These are listed on Amazon.
Jason Markk Essential Shoe Cleaning Kit
A soft brush and gentle cleaner for sneaker uppers and soles.
Check it on Amazon
Mesh shoe wash bags
Zippered mesh bags that protect sneakers and laces in a machine cycle.
Check it on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wash sneakers in the washing machine?
Nike does not recommend it. Others allow it for synthetic pairs with conditions.
How do you clean sneakers by hand?
Soft brush, mild solution, baking soda paste for stains, blot and air dry.
How often should you clean sneakers?
Nike UK says about every two weeks.
Can you use bleach?
No. Nike UK and Foot Locker both say avoid it.
How long do they take to dry?
At least 8 hours (Nike UK), up to 48 hours or more (Real Homes).
Can you tumble dry sneakers?
No source recommends it.
How do you clean suede sneakers?
Brush with the nap and rub marks with a suede rubber (Nike UK).
How do you clean the soles?
Soft brush and the same mild solution (Nike UK).
The Short Version
Hand clean, avoid bleach and heat, check the label before any machine cycle and give the pair time to air dry.
