Here’s a practical, home-friendly guide on how to wash sneakers so they come out clean, fresh, and not destroyed.

Quick Scoop

  • Most everyday sneakers (canvas, mesh, many running shoes) can be safely washed by hand; some can go in the washer if the brand says it’s okay.
  • Skip hot water, harsh bleach, and high heat in the dryer, or you risk warping, shrinking, or yellowing your shoes.
  • The safest method: remove laces/insoles, brush off dirt, clean with mild soap solution, rinse lightly, and air dry.

Before You Start: Check Your Sneaker Type

Not all sneakers like water equally, so a quick material check can save your favorite pair.

  • Usually safe with gentle washing (hand or sometimes machine) :
    • Canvas sneakers
    • Many running shoes and trainers
    • Synthetic mesh sneakers
  • Need extra care / avoid soaking :
    • Suede
    • Nubuck
    • Delicate knit uppers (some premium running or lifestyle shoes)
    • Leather (can usually be cleaned, but better with spot cleaning than full soaking)

If your shoes are branded (like performance runners), it’s smart to peek at the care page from that brand; many specifically say whether machine washing is okay.

Method 1: Safest Way – Hand-Washing Sneakers

This works for most canvas, mesh, and many running shoes.

Step 1: Prep the Sneakers

  • Remove laces and insoles so you can reach all the grime.
  • Knock soles together outside or over a bin to remove loose mud and grit.
  • Use a soft brush (old toothbrush works) to dry-brush away surface dirt on the upper.

Step 2: Mix a Mild Cleaning Solution

  • Fill a bowl or small bucket with warm (not hot) water.
  • Add a small amount of mild laundry detergent or a gentle dish soap.
  • For white sneakers, you can make a paste from equal parts baking soda and water to enhance whitening on rubber midsoles and stubborn stains.

Think of the water as “tea-colored,” not a bubble bath—too much soap is harder to rinse and can leave marks.

Step 3: Clean the Uppers

  • Dip a soft brush or cloth into the solution, tap off excess water so the shoe doesn’t get drenched.
  • Gently scrub the upper in small circles, focusing on stains and scuffs.
  • For tough spots, use the baking soda paste on rubber areas or very dirty canvas, then wipe off.

Step 4: Clean the Soles

  • Use a firmer brush on the outsole and midsole (the rubber parts).
  • Scrub around the edges, tread, and toe bumper; these areas hold most of the visual dirt.
  • Wipe away dirty foam with a damp cloth to keep soap from drying on the shoe.

Step 5: Rinse Lightly

  • Do not soak completely under a running tap unless the shoe material can handle it; instead, wipe with a clean cloth dampened in plain water to remove soap.
  • Make sure there’s no slippery or soapy residue left—this can attract more dirt later.

Step 6: Air-Dry Properly

  • Gently press with a dry towel to absorb excess moisture.
  • Stuff the shoes loosely with paper (not printed newspaper if you’re worried about ink) to help keep shape and draw out moisture.
  • Let them dry at room temperature, away from direct sun or a heater to avoid warping or cracking.

Method 2: Using a Washing Machine (If Allowed)

This is more convenient but a bit riskier, so only do this if the brand or care label says it’s okay.

When Machine Washing Is Reasonable

  • Sturdy canvas sneakers.
  • Some running shoes that explicitly say they can be machine washed.

Step-by-Step Machine Wash

  1. Prep the shoes
    • Remove laces and insoles.
 * Brush off clumps of dirt first so they don’t clog your washer.
  1. Bag them up
    • Put sneakers in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase and tie it.
 * Add some old towels to balance the load and cushion the shoes.
  1. Choose settings
    • Use a gentle cycle (Delicates/Hand Wash) and cold water.
 * Add a small amount of mild detergent; do not use bleach unless manufacturer-safe and even then use caution.
  1. Drying afterward
    • Remove from bag and let them air-dry at room temperature.
 * You can use a dryer only if the brand explicitly says so, and if you do, choose low heat and preferably a drying rack setting.

Laces, Insoles, and Odor Control

A lot of the smell lives in the insoles and laces, not just the shell of the shoe.

  • Washing laces by hand
    • Soak laces in warm water with a bit of liquid laundry detergent for 15–30 minutes.
* Rinse with cool water and air dry; avoid the dryer to prevent melting aglets or shrinkage.
  • Cleaning insoles
    • Remove insoles and brush off any debris.
* Wipe them with a cloth dipped in mild soap solution; don’t soak them completely.

* Let them dry completely before putting them back to prevent mildew and smell.
  • Odor refresh tips
    • Sprinkle a little baking soda inside dry shoes, leave overnight, and dump it out the next day.
* Let shoes fully dry between wears, especially running shoes, to keep odor bacteria in check.

Do’s and Don’ts of Sneaker Washing

Here’s a quick table you can skim before you start.

[5][9] [9] [3][7] [1][7] [6][1] [1][6] [3][5][7] [3][7] [10][7][3] [10]
Action Do Don’t
Water temperature Use cool to warm water for cleaning and rinsing. Don’t use hot water, which can weaken glue and warp shapes.
Detergent Use a small amount of mild detergent or dish soap. Don’t dump in strong bleach or harsh chemicals (can discolor or damage materials).
Machine wash Use gentle cycle, cold water, bag the shoes, add towels. Don’t spin on heavy cycles or wash without protection in the drum.
Drying Air dry at room temp, stuff with paper to maintain shape. Don’t put near heaters or in direct sun; avoid high-heat dryer.
Special materials Spot clean leather, suede, and delicate knits with minimal water. Don’t soak suede or nubuck; this can leave permanent marks.

Forum-Style Tips & “Latest” Sneaker Cleaning Talk

Sneaker care is a quiet but constant topic in online forums and subreddits where people share what actually works in real life.

Some recurring community tips:

  • Magic eraser sponges work well on rubber soles and white midsoles when used gently.
  • Whitening (non-gel) toothpaste can help on rubber edges but should be used sparingly and wiped off thoroughly to avoid residue.
  • Many “sneakerheads” prefer dedicated sneaker cleaning kits because they are formulated for common sneaker materials and tend to be less harsh than generic cleaners.

A common trend lately is brands publishing their own cleaning guides, especially running and lifestyle brands, pushing you toward gentle methods to extend shoe life instead of just tossing them in the washer.

Simple Routine to Keep Sneakers Looking Fresh

If you want a low-effort habit rather than a big scrub day every few months:

  1. Wipe dirt off the soles with a damp cloth after especially muddy days.
  1. Dry-brush dust from uppers once a week with a soft brush.
  1. Sprinkle baking soda in very sweaty shoes overnight once in a while, then tap it out in the morning.
  1. Do a more thorough hand-wash whenever the shoes look noticeably dingy or smell persists.

TL;DR: Remove laces and insoles, brush off dirt, scrub uppers and soles with a mild soap solution, rinse lightly, and always air-dry—then you’ve basically mastered how to wash sneakers without ruining them.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.