Prep first
Before you start
- Read the care label or tag first, and follow it over any general advice.
- Work out the material, since mesh, knit, canvas, leather and suede each change the method.
- Test a hidden spot with a damp cloth, and stop if dye transfers onto it.
- Let muddy shoes dry fully before knocking the mud off, because wet mud smears into mesh.
Shoes are trickier to clean than they look, because one pair can mix mesh, knit, canvas, leather and rubber, and each one reacts differently to water and heat. The soles trap grit, the insoles hold sweat and odor, and the laces get grimy on their own. Before you start, check the material, since a dryer or hot water can warp foam and affect the dye.
Shoe cleaning at home is simpler than it looks. A gentle hand wash handles most everyday pairs, so start with dry brushing before any water touches them. Keep the soap mild, let the shoes dry for at least 8 hours, and never put them in the dryer.
Before you start
What shoes can take
Use with care5
- Water
- Soaking
- Enzyme cleaners
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid3
- Hot water
- Chlorine bleach
- Heat (dryer, iron, hot air)
8 items
What you'll need
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- Soft-bristled brush or spare toothbrushLifts dry dirt from the uppers, seams and soles before any water is used. (opens Amazon)
- Stiff brushOnly for rubber midsoles and plastic parts, since it can fuzz fabric. (opens Amazon)
- Mild laundry detergent or dish soapA little of it in warm water makes the gentle cleaning solution. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaMakes the stain paste and the powder that deodorizes dry shoes. (opens Amazon)
- White vinegarUsed in a deodorizing spray and on stubborn suede stains. (opens Amazon)
- Microfiber towels or clean clothsFor wiping off soap, blotting moisture and pressing out water. (opens Amazon)
- Newspaper, paper towels or washclothsStuffs the shoes so they keep their shape while they dry. (opens Amazon)
- Spray bottleHolds the vinegar and water spray used between wears. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Remove laces and loose dirt
Pull the laces and insoles out so each part can be cleaned on its own. Then dry-brush the whole upper and sole with a soft-bristled brush, or a spare toothbrush for the seams, before any water touches the shoe.
Tip. On knit uppers, brush in the direction of the knit pattern.
Step 2 of 710 to 15 minutes
Pre-treat stains with baking soda
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda into 1/2 cup of water to make a paste. Dip a toothbrush in the paste, rub it gently into each stain, and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it off with a damp microfiber cloth.
Tip. Keep the paste on the stains only, not across the whole shoe.
Step 3 of 7
Scrub the uppers and soles
Mix a little mild laundry detergent or dish soap into warm water, then dip a soft brush in it. Scrub the uppers and soles in small circles, covering the whole panel rather than just the dirty spot, so the shoe dries evenly.
Tip. Only the rubber midsoles and plastic parts can take a stiffer brush.
Careful. Keep the solution mild, since concentrated soap can discolor or strip some materials, and keep hot water off mesh because it can affect the dye.
Step 4 of 715 to 20 minutes
Hand wash the laces
Soak the laces in warm soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes, moving them through the water now and then. Scrub any stubborn spots with a spare toothbrush, rinse them, and set them out to air dry.
Careful. Don't dry the laces in the dryer, since it can damage the plastic aglets.
Step 5 of 7
Wipe off the soap
Wipe the soap off the uppers and soles with a clean cloth dampened with water, and repeat if suds remain. Then blot the shoes with a dry microfiber towel to lift the soapy moisture and dirt.
Tip. Press and twist the towel into the fabric to pull out moisture.
Step 6 of 78 hours
Stuff and air dry
Stuff each shoe loosely with newspaper, paper towels or a shoe tree so it keeps its shape. Set the shoes in a ventilated spot at room temperature and let them dry fully, which often takes overnight.
Careful. No dryer, radiator, hair dryer or direct sun, since heat can warp the foam and weaken the glue.
Step 7 of 724 hours
Deodorize the dry shoes
Once the shoes are completely dry, sprinkle baking soda inside each one and leave it for at least 24 hours. Shake the powder out before you wear them.
Tip. A bar of soap left in each shoe overnight is another option.
Careful. Don't mix baking soda and vinegar in the same shoe, since mixed in equal parts they cancel each other's cleaning power.
What makes the job easier
Best products for cleaning shoes
Choose a mild liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, a soft-bristled brush and a plain microfiber towel. Skip bleach-based and heavy-duty products.
How we picked these: each product is made for cleaning shoes, its maker doesn't warn against using it on shoes, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →Spots that survive a deep clean are usually stains, and each stain has its own method.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The shoes are clean when the uppers look even, with no soap film, dull patches or leftover dirt in the seams, and the stains have faded. They're fully dry when the insoles and the inside feel dry all the way through and there's no damp smell. If they're still damp, restuff them with fresh paper towels and give them more time away from heat.
Treat stains with their own method
Got a stain on it?
A deep clean lifts everyday dirt, but most stains need their own method. Pick yours:
What changes for yours
Adjust for your type of shoe
Mesh and knit running shoes
Always hand wash mesh and knit shoes, and keep hot water away from them, since it can affect the dye. Rub the solution in the same direction as the knit, and keep the pressure light with as little water as you can. Avoid stiff brushes, which fuzz knit yarn.
On white mesh, the baking soda paste from the stain step works well, but leave it no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. Give the uppers overnight to dry before wearing them.
White leather sneakers
Use a damp brush rather than a soaked shoe, and wipe the foam off each section right away. Leather takes a gentle hand, since hard scrubbing can damage it, so a household cleaning eraser or leather conditioner is the better tool for scuffs.
Most white leather sneakers are sealed full-grain leather, so dirt sits near the surface and comes off with light work. Cleaning removes dirt, not yellowing from oxidation, so whitening the soles is a separate job with its own method.
Canvas sneakers
Canvas is typically safe to hand wash with a mild solution, as long as you use light pressure and small circles. Firm bristles can fuzz the surface, so stick with a soft brush on the fabric.
Only some plain canvas sneakers, including Vans-style pairs, can go in a machine, and only when the care label allows it. If it does, use cold water on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag with a little mild detergent, skip the spin, and air dry.
Suede
Start by wiping away surface debris with a suede brush or towel, working with the grain. Keep the cloth barely damp so the suede doesn't soak up water.
For a stubborn stain, scrub gently with a cloth dipped in white vinegar, then let the shoes dry at room temperature. Brush the nap upright again once they are dry.
Between deep cleans
How often to clean it
Plan a deep clean about every two weeks, or sooner whenever the shoes look dirty. Between cleans, dry-brush the uppers and soles after each wear so grit doesn't work into the knit or mesh.
After exercise, spray the inside with equal parts white vinegar and water and let the shoes dry fully before you wear them again. Pull the laces out now and then for a separate wash, and keep the shoes away from direct sun between wears.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work for cleaning shoes?
Most of these household remedies have a narrow job on shoes. The ones in the steps are mild, and the rest are skipped or avoided because they can fade dyes or damage the material.
Works2Helps1Skip3Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use bleach or harsh cleaners
Bleach and harsh products can damage the material and yellow white cotton. A little mild detergent or dish soap, along with the baking soda paste, covers what most everyday shoes need.
Don't scrub leather too hard
Hard scrubbing can damage leather even when a stain looks stubborn. Use a damp brush with light pressure, and try a cleaning eraser on scuffs before anything wetter.
Don't wear them before they're dry
Many shoes need at least 8 hours to dry fully, and some running shoes can take up to 8 hours. Wearing them damp traps moisture inside, so give them the full drying time first.
Don't clean every pair the same way
Mesh, knit, leather and suede each need a different approach, and a method that suits canvas may be too harsh for the others. Check the material and the care label before you choose how to clean.
Troubleshooting
If it still isn't clean
Pick what you're seeing:
Shoes still smell after cleaning
Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup baking powder and 1/2 cup cornstarch, and put the mix in a sock or sachet inside each shoe. Let it sit overnight, then shake it out and air out the shoes.
Knit or canvas looks fuzzy after brushing
Stiff bristles fuzz knit yarn and canvas, so switch to a soft brush. Brush gently in the direction of the knit pattern, and take care not to snag the yarn.
Water rings or dull patches show after drying
Cover the whole panel rather than one spot, because a single damp area can leave a ring. Stuff the shoes with dry paper so they dry evenly, then brush gently with a soft brush once they are dry.
When to call a professional
For everyday dirt, the steps above should be enough. If a pair is valuable, delicate or still stained after a careful clean, a shoe repair or cleaning shop can take a look.
Questions
Can I clean the insoles?
Yes. Take them out and clean them with the same steps as the outside of the shoe, then dry them fully before putting them back. If the shoes smell, clean the insoles too.
How do I get caked-on mud out of the treads?
Let the mud dry first, then brush out the loose bits. Caked-in mud and gravel in the treads need a soft brush with a little mild detergent in warm water.
Can I use essential oils to make shoes smell better?
Yes, a few drops inside the shoe are an option, and then the shoes should air out. They're a finishing touch, not a replacement for the cleaning itself.
Can I clean laces in the washing machine?
Some laces can go in a mesh bag with the laundry on a cold cycle, but hand washing is the safer choice. The warm soapy soak in the steps handles grime without a machine.
Does vinegar remove stains from shoes?
No, not on its own. Vinegar works for odor and stubborn suede stains, but it won't lift ink, grass or blood.
Is micellar water a good option for running shoes?
Micellar water can work, but a mild soap solution is the cleaner to reach for on running shoes. Dry the shoes fully afterward either way.
Methods, care labels and related guides
Good to know
Odor guides
Still smells?
More cleaning guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.