Before You Start

  1. 1

    Remove laces and insoles

    Take out the laces and wash them separately — either by hand with soap and water or in a small mesh bag in the machine. Remove insoles and clean them separately with a damp cloth and gentle detergent. Air dry insoles completely before returning them.

  2. 2

    Remove loose dirt with a dry brush

    Use an old toothbrush or soft brush to knock loose dirt, mud and debris from the sole and upper before washing. Clumps of dried mud should be removed before they get wet and spread.

Canvas Sneakers — Machine Wash

  1. 3

    Place in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag

    Put the sneakers inside an old pillowcase or a mesh laundry bag. Add 2–3 old towels to the machine — they cushion the shoes and prevent them banging around, which can damage both the shoes and the machine.

  2. 4

    Gentle cold cycle with mild detergent

    Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. A small amount of mild liquid detergent or a dedicated shoe cleaning product. Do not use powder detergent — it can leave residue in the shoe. No fabric softener.

Leather, Mesh and Knit Sneakers — Hand Wash Only

  1. 5

    Mix mild soap with water and scrub gently

    Mix a small amount of dish soap or dedicated sneaker cleaner in cool water. Dip an old toothbrush or soft shoe brush into the solution. Scrub the upper in gentle circular motions. Use a damp cloth to wipe away soap residue. For leather: use a leather cleaner or very mild soap sparingly — do not soak leather.

  2. 6

    Clean the sole separately

    Use the brush and soapy water on the rubber sole and midsole. A Magic Eraser (melamine foam) works very well on white rubber soles — it removes scuffs and yellowing effectively.

Drying

Stuff the sneakers with paper towels or newspaper to absorb moisture and hold the shape. Air dry at room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat. Never put sneakers in the tumble dryer — heat breaks down the adhesive in the sole, warps the shoe and damages materials. Drying typically takes 12–24 hours.

Keeping white soles whiteApply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or white shoe polish to the rubber sole edge (the rand) after cleaning to prevent yellowing. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and Crep Protect wipes are popular for quick maintenance between full washes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Canvas styles (Converse All Star, Vans Old Skool, most canvas sneakers): generally yes, in a pillowcase on a gentle cold cycle. Nike and Adidas performance shoes with mesh, knit (Flyknit, Primeknit) or foam components: hand washing is safer as machine washing can damage structural elements and adhesive bonding. Check the tongue or insole for care instructions — some have washing symbols. When in doubt, hand wash.
Sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes and leave overnight — it absorbs odour. Tip out in the morning. Activated charcoal insoles are very effective for ongoing odour control. Cedar shoe trees also absorb moisture and odour while maintaining shoe shape. Rotating between multiple pairs of shoes (rather than wearing the same pair every day) significantly reduces odour by allowing the shoe to fully dry between wears.