How to Clean Sneakers Without Treating Every Material the Same
A material-first sneaker cleaning guide: what to use on leather, suede, canvas and mesh, plus laces, insoles and drying without direct heat.
Start with the material, not the stain. A suede panel needs different care from a rubber outsole, even when they belong to the same sneaker. For routine cleaning, the useful basics are a soft brush, clean cloths, lukewarm water and a mild cleaner suited to the upper—not a washing-machine cycle.
Nike and New Balance advise against machine-washing their shoes; Converse also says not to machine-wash its canvas or leather pairs. Hand cleaning gives you control over which panels get wet. (Nike, New Balance, Converse)
Choose the method by material
Check the product’s material description and any model-specific care instructions before starting. For mixed-material pairs, treat each panel separately rather than applying one solution across the whole upper.
| Material | Routine cleaning approach |
|---|---|
| Smooth leather | Use a damp cloth and a cleaner suited to the material. Nike and Converse allow a diluted mild-soap solution; New Balance directs owners to a specialty leather cleaner. Avoid hard scrubbing. |
| Suede | Start dry: use a suede brush to lift surface dirt, working with the grain. Nike also recommends a suede eraser for marks. Converse explicitly says not to use water on its suede shoes. |
| Canvas | Gently work a mild-soap solution over the surface with a damp cloth or soft brush. Converse’s canvas instructions still rule out machine washing. |
| Knit or mesh | Use a mild-soapy-water solution and a soft brush. For knit, brush in the direction of the knit, then wipe away the soap. Avoid bleach and harsh cleaners. |
These methods follow the brands’ material-specific guidance from Nike, Converse’s cleaning instructions and New Balance’s care advice. Where instructions differ, follow the maker’s guidance for your pair.
For stubborn suede stains, move to a suede-specific product suitable for the shoe rather than repeatedly wetting or scrubbing the panel. New Balance recommends specialty suede cleaner; use it according to its directions.
A controlled hand-cleaning routine
Use this sequence for panels whose care instructions allow damp cleaning, keeping suede on its separate dry-cleaning path.
- Remove the laces and brush off loose dirt. Use a dry, soft-bristled brush on the uppers, midsoles and outsoles. A clean spare toothbrush works for small areas.
- Prepare and spot-test the cleaner. Mix a small amount of mild soap or detergent with lukewarm water where the shoe’s instructions permit it. New Balance specifies dye-free detergent. Test an inconspicuous area first, such as an edge of the tongue; concentrated dish soap can discolor some materials or strip natural oils.
- Clean the soles, then the appropriate upper panels. Work gently with a brush or damp cloth. Keep the sole-cleaning solution off suede. Blot the upper with a clean, soft cloth to lift dirt and soapy moisture rather than rubbing aggressively.
The brushing, diluted solution and blotting sequence comes from Nike’s hand-cleaning guide; spot-testing is also recommended by New Balance.
Laces and insoles
Hand-wash ordinary laces separately with the mild solution: massage, rinse and dab dry. If insoles are removable and their care instructions permit cleaning, take them out, clean gently and let them dry completely before replacing them. Nike recommends both steps in its shoe-care instructions.
If you are replacing laces rather than cleaning them, use our shoelace-length guide to choose the replacement length.
Dry at room temperature—not with heat
Stuff the shoes with paper towel to help hold their shape, changing it occasionally as it becomes damp. Leave them to air-dry at room temperature; Converse warns against direct heat. (Converse)
Allow a full day before planning to wear the pair: New Balance specifies 24 hours of air-drying, while Nike notes that many shoes take at least eight hours. Complete dryness—not the clock—is the deciding check, including the insoles. Skip the dryer and resist speeding things up with a heater. (New Balance, Nike)