How to Wash Sneakers: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Muddy trails. Sweaty workouts. A splash of coffee on your morning commute. Sneakers pick up dirt fast, and cleaning them the wrong way can do more harm than good. Scrub too hard, or toss the wrong pair in the washing machine, and you might end up with cracked leather, a warped shape, or a sole that comes unglued.

This guide walks you through how to wash sneakers safely, by hand and in the machine. You will also find a full section on how to clean white sneakers without turning them yellow, plus tips for suede, leather, and smelly shoes.

Why the Right Cleaning Method Matters

Not every sneaker can handle the same treatment. A pair of canvas high-tops can often go straight into the washing machine. A suede sneaker cannot. Wash the wrong way, and you risk shrinking, discoloring, or damaging the glue that holds the shoe together.

Before you clean anything, ask yourself: what is this shoe actually made of? That one question shapes almost every step that follows.

Step 1: Check the Material Before You Clean

Look at the tongue or the inside of the shoe for a care label. If there is not one, use this table as a general guide.

If your sneakers mix materials, like a leather toe cap with a mesh body, treat the whole shoe using the more delicate method. It is easier to hand wash a mesh panel than to fix cracked leather.

What You Will Need

Most of these items are probably already in your home.

· A soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush

· Mild dish soap or laundry detergent

· A bucket, sink, or basin

· A microfiber cloth or soft towel

· Baking soda and white vinegar, for stains and odor

· A mesh laundry bag, if machine washing

· Paper towels, for drying

How to Wash Sneakers by Hand

Hand washing works for almost every sneaker material except suede, so it is the safest place to start if you are not sure what your shoes can handle.

1. Remove the laces and insoles. Wash the laces separately in warm, soapy water, or drop them in a mesh bag with your next load of laundry. Scrub the insoles gently with a damp cloth and set them aside to air dry.

2. Brush off loose dirt. Take the shoes outside or hold them over a trash can, then knock the soles together and brush away any caked-on mud or debris.

3. Mix your cleaning solution. Combine warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap or laundry detergent in a bucket or basin.

4. Scrub the uppers. Dip your brush into the solution and scrub the fabric in small circles. Pay extra attention to the toe, the eyelets, and the sides, where dirt tends to build up.

5. Scrub the soles separately. Soles pick up the most grime, so give them their own round of scrubbing with a toothbrush.

6. Wipe away the soap. Use a damp cloth to rinse off the soap. Leftover soap can dry into a stiff, discolored film, so take an extra minute here.

7. Dry the shoes properly. More on this in the drying section below, since this is the step that trips up a lot of people.

Can You Put Sneakers in the Washing Machine?

Many sneakers can go in the washing machine, but check the care label first. Nike's own shoe care guide notes that the brand does not recommend machine washing its shoes and points people toward hand cleaning instead, so when in doubt, hand wash. For sneakers made mostly of canvas, mesh, or nylon, a washing machine can work well if you follow a few precautions.

1. Remove the laces and insoles, and set them aside to clean separately.

2. Brush off loose dirt and debris so it does not end up inside your washing machine drum.

3. Place the sneakers inside a mesh laundry bag or an old pillowcase to protect both the shoes and the machine.

4. Add a small amount of mild detergent. Skip the bleach and fabric softener.

5. Choose a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Samsung's washing guide recommends this exact setting to help avoid shrinking or warping your shoes.

6. Add a couple of old towels to the load. This helps balance the drum and cuts down on banging noise.

7. Once the cycle ends, take the shoes out right away and let them air dry.

Try to avoid the dryer. Heat can shrink fabric, warp the shape of a shoe, and loosen glue.

How to Clean White Sneakers Without Turning Them Yellow

White sneakers show every scuff, which is exactly why so many people search for this topic. Most yellowing is treatable, and often preventable, once you know what causes it.

Why White Sneakers Turn Yellow

A few common culprits are usually behind that dingy tint:

· Sun exposure. Ultraviolet light can change the color of white rubber and foam over time. This is a chemical reaction, not dirt, so scrubbing alone tends not to fix it.

· Leftover soap residue. Soap that is not fully rinsed away can dry into a yellowish film.

· Body oils and sweat. These soak into fabric gradually over months of wear.

· Bleach on the wrong material. Bleach can cause yellowing on some foams and fabrics rather than preventing it.

The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method

This is one of the most commonly recommended home methods for canvas and fabric white sneakers. Versions of it show up across shoe-care guides from brands like Arm & Hammer.

1. Mix the ingredients into a thick, spreadable paste.

2. Apply it to the shoe with an old toothbrush, working it into stained or yellowed spots.

3. Let the paste sit for 30 minutes up to a few hours, depending on how set in the stain is.

4. Once it dries, clap the shoes together over a trash can to knock off the excess, then brush away what is left.

5. Rinse with a damp cloth and let the shoes air dry away from direct sunlight.

Is bleach ever a good option? Only on all-white, bleach-safe canvas, and only in a heavily diluted solution. It is best to skip bleach entirely on foam soles, mesh, or anything with color, since it can wear down those materials or cause new stains.

How to Clean Suede and Leather Sneakers

Suede and leather call for a different approach than fabric sneakers. Water is generally not their friend, so the methods below stay mostly dry.

For suede:

1. Let any mud or moisture dry completely first. Cleaning wet suede tends to spread a stain rather than lift it.

2. Brush the surface with a dedicated suede brush to remove loose dirt.

3. Use a suede eraser on scuffs and small marks.

4. For tougher stains, lightly dampen a cloth with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol and dab, rather than rub, at the spot.

5. Finish with a suede protectant spray to help guard against future stains.

For leather:

1. Wipe away surface dirt with a dry or slightly damp cloth.

2. Mix a few drops of mild soap with water and wipe the leather gently. Avoid soaking it.

3. Dry with a clean towel, then let the shoes air dry the rest of the way.

4. Once dry, apply a leather conditioner to help keep the material from drying out or cracking.

How to Get Rid of Sneaker Odor

Shoe odor is not really about dirt. It comes from bacteria that live on your feet and break down sweat, releasing smelly compounds in the process. Nike's odor guide points to research suggesting vinegar may help reduce these odor-causing bacteria, which is part of why it shows up in so many home remedies.

A few ways to tackle the smell:

· Baking soda sachets. Fill a small cloth pouch with baking soda and tuck one into each shoe overnight. It helps absorb moisture and some of the odor.

· Vinegar spray. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the inside of the shoe. Let it dry fully before wearing.

· Rubbing alcohol. A light spritz inside the shoe can help reduce odor-causing bacteria. Let the shoes air out afterward.

· Sunlight. A few hours in the sun can help dry out moisture and cut down on odor, though it works better for the inside of a shoe than for keeping white uppers bright.

None of these are a permanent fix on their own. Rotating between two or more pairs of shoes, so each pair gets a full day to dry out between wears, tends to make the biggest long-term difference.

How to Dry Sneakers the Right Way

Drying might be the most overlooked step in the whole process, but it is where a lot of damage happens.

1. Wipe away extra moisture with a towel first.

2. Stuff each shoe loosely with paper towels or a clean, dry cloth. This helps the shoe hold its shape and speeds up drying from the inside.

3. Set the shoes in a well-ventilated spot at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat.

4. Swap out damp paper towels for dry ones partway through if needed.

5. Give the shoes plenty of time. Many sneakers need at least 8 hours to dry fully, and thicker materials can take closer to a full day.

It is best to skip the dryer, the radiator, and the hair dryer. Fast heat can warp soles, shrink fabric, and weaken glue, even when the shoes look fine right after.

Common Mistakes That Damage Sneakers

· Machine washing suede or leather sneakers

· Skipping the rinse step, which leaves soap residue behind

· Using the dryer to speed up drying time

· Scrubbing too hard, which can wear down fabric or push dirt in deeper

· Leaving wet sneakers in direct sunlight to dry faster

· Using bleach on colored or foam materials

How Often Should You Wash Your Sneakers?

There is no single right answer here, since it depends on how often you wear them and what you use them for.

Keeping Sneakers Cleaner for Longer

A little prevention goes a long way toward cutting down on how often you need a deep clean.

· Apply a water and stain protectant spray to new sneakers before wearing them the first time.

· Wipe down your shoes after wear instead of waiting for dirt to set in.

· Rotate between two or more pairs so each one gets time to fully dry out.

· Store sneakers somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight.

· Use shoe trees, or stuff shoes with paper when storing them, to help hold their shape.

Once your sneakers are clean, styling them is the easy part. If you want a few outfit ideas for your freshly cleaned white sneakers, Who What Wear has a solid roundup of ways to wear them through the seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put sneakers in the washing machine? Many canvas, mesh, and nylon sneakers can go in the washing machine on a gentle, cold cycle inside a mesh bag. Leather, suede, and shoes with electronics are better off hand cleaned.

Can I put sneakers in the dryer? It is best to avoid it. Heat from a dryer can warp the shape of a shoe, shrink fabric, and loosen glue. Air drying is slower but much safer for the shoe.

How do I stop white sneakers from turning yellow? Rinse cleaning products off completely, dry your shoes out of direct sunlight, and avoid bleach on foam or mesh materials. The baking soda and vinegar paste above can help treat yellowing that has already set in.

Will washing damage the glue on my shoes? It can, especially with hot water, harsh scrubbing, or a trip through the dryer. Cold or lukewarm water and gentle handling lower the risk.

How long does it take for sneakers to dry? Most sneakers need at least 8 hours to air dry fully, and thicker materials or damp weather can stretch that closer to a full day. Stuffing shoes with paper towels speeds up the process.

Can I use bleach on white sneakers? Only on bleach-safe, all-white canvas, and only in a diluted solution. Bleach is more likely to cause yellowing or damage on foam soles, mesh, or colored materials.

How do I clean suede sneakers without ruining them? Skip the water. Use a suede brush for dirt, a suede eraser for marks, and a small amount of white vinegar or rubbing alcohol on a cloth for tougher stains.