Clean sneakers by brushing off loose dirt first, washing the laces separately, scrubbing with mild soap and water, then air-drying at room temperature away from sunlight.
Most sneaker damage happens in the first wrong move — dunking a dirty shoe in water or tossing it in the washing machine. The proper way to clean sneakers is a straight sequence of steps that takes about 15 minutes of hands-on time plus a full drying period. Learn the right order once and you will keep every pair in your rotation looking sharp for years, whether they are canvas, leather, knit, or suede.
Why The Dry-Brush Step Comes First
Skipping the dry brush is the most common mistake, and it costs you. Loose dirt and grit sitting on the surface act like sandpaper — the moment you add water and start scrubbing, that grit grinds into the fabric or leather and accelerates wear.
Start with a soft-bristled brush or an old dry toothbrush and knock off all loose dirt, working from the top of the upper down toward the outsole. Tap the soles together over a trash can to dislodge pebbles stuck in the tread. Nike’s official cleaning guide instructs you to brush off loose dirt before anything else touches the shoe. This step takes one minute and protects every material that follows.
Next, pull the laces out completely and remove any insoles that lift out freely. Laces get washed on their own, and taking them off lets you actually reach the tongue and eyelet area where grime hides.
Cleaning The Uppers, Outsole, And Midsole
With the loose dirt gone, mix a small amount of mild laundry detergent or dish soap into warm — not hot — water. Hot water is the enemy here: it can loosen the glue that holds your sneakers together, so keep the water comfortably warm at most.
Dip a soft-bristled brush or cloth into the soapy water and work in small circles:
- Outsole and midsole: scrub first, since these collect the most ground-in grime.
- Canvas and knit uppers: scrub gently; for knit specifically, dab instead of scrubbing hard because vigorous rubbing can stretch the weave.
- Leather uppers: wipe with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, then buff dry immediately with a clean towel.
- Suede: do not use water at all — brush with a suede brush in one direction only and lift stains with a suede eraser.
For white and light-colored sneakers, Nike recommends a paste of equal parts baking soda and water applied to stubborn spots before scrubbing. Adidas’ cleaning guidance confirms the same core method: clean with a soapy solution, use a microfiber towel, and always rinse away the cleaner when you finish.
Wash the laces separately in the same soapy water, rubbing them between your fingers. White laces that have gone gray can soak in warm bleach water, but use bleach only on the laces — never on the rest of the shoe.
Drying Sneakers Without Damage
Air-drying is the only drying method that will not hurt your sneakers. Leave them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and any heat source, and let them dry completely before you wear them again.
Do not speed things up with a dryer, radiator, or hairdryer. Direct heat and sunlight cause discoloration, can warp synthetic materials, and risk loosening the same glue that hot water threatens. Proper drying typically takes 12 to 24 hours depending on the material and how saturated the shoe got. If you need them faster, stuff each sneaker with dry paper towels to absorb moisture from the inside and replace the paper when it gets damp.
Wearing sneakers before they are fully dry stretches the materials and traps moisture inside, which leads to odor and breakdown of the interior lining. Fully dry is non-negotiable.
When The Washing Machine Is Safe — And When It Is Not
Machine washing works only for the sneakers the manufacturer explicitly says are machine-safe. Most major brands, including Adidas, advise against it for delicate materials like leather, suede, and many knit uppers. If the care label does not say machine-washable, hand-clean instead.
Machine-safe sneakers still need the same prep: remove the laces, brush off loose dirt, and place the shoes inside a mesh laundry bag to protect both the shoes and the drum. Use cold water and a gentle cycle, and always air-dry afterward — never put sneakers in the dryer even if they survived the wash.
The safest approach is the hand-cleaning method described above. It works for every material, takes little time, and removes the risk of a washing machine warping a shoe you paid real money for. If you are cleaning a pair you wear every day and want to protect your investment, see our roundup of daily sneakers built for repeated wear — the right pair handles cleaning cycles better and lasts longer.
FAQs
Can I use dish soap on my sneakers?
Yes. Both Nike and Adidas list mild dish soap as an acceptable cleaner when mixed with warm water. Use a small amount — roughly a teaspoon per cup of water — and rinse thoroughly so no soapy residue remains, which can attract new dirt and leave stains on lighter materials.
How often should I clean my sneakers?
Clean them when visible dirt appears or roughly every two to four weeks with regular wear. More important than frequency is the dry-brush step — knocking off loose dirt after each wear prevents buildup and means a full clean is needed far less often.
Why do my sneakers smell even after cleaning?
Odor comes from bacteria in moisture, so the fix is drying, not more soap. Remove the insoles after each wear and let everything dry fully before the next use. Sprinkling baking soda inside overnight absorbs lingering moisture, and washing removable insoles separately handles the deepest odor source.
References & Sources
- Nike. “How To Clean Shoes” Nike’s official guide covering the dry-brush step, mild soap solution, and baking soda paste for white shoes.
- Adidas. “How To Clean Shoes” Adidas’ official cleaning guidance covering laces, canvas, and leather sneakers.
- Wirecutter. “How to Clean White Sneakers” Independent testing on cleaning white sneakers without damaging the material.