Cleaning sneakers: Instructions for leather, suede, mesh, and canvas
Sneakers rarely break because they're worn – rather, it's because they're cleaned incorrectly. Washing machines, hot water, and bleach dissolve glue, warp leather, and ruin suede in one go. Done correctly, cleaning takes 20 minutes and extends their lifespan by years.
This guide goes through material by material: smooth leather, suede and nubuck, mesh and knit, canvas, plus soles, yellowed midsoles, and odor.
Basic Equipment
You don't need expensive sets. This is enough for almost everything:
- One soft brush (textile, mesh) and one medium-hard brush (soles, midsole)
- A dry suede brush with plastic or brass bristles
- Two microfiber cloths
- Lukewarm water and a mild, pH-neutral cleaning agent
- Optional: Suede eraser, waterproofing spray, shoe trees or newspaper
Four Rules Before You Start
- No washing machine. Drum movement and heat loosen the adhesive bonding between the upper and midsole. Even if it works out a few times – it's the most common reason for soles coming loose.
- Only lukewarm water. Heat deforms leather and glue.
- Remove laces and insoles. Both are cleaned separately, otherwise you won't be able to reach the tongue and inner edge.
- Test on an inconspicuous area first. Especially with dyed suede and prints.
Which Product for Which Material
| Material | Procedure | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth Leather | Damp cloth, mild soap, then leather care | Acetone, bleach, hot water |
| Suede / Nubuck | Dry brush, eraser for stains | Lots of water, soap, washing machine |
| Mesh / Knit | Soft brush, little foam, circular motion | Hard brushes, aggressive scrubbing |
| Canvas | Soft brush, mild soap solution | Bleach (turns yellow afterwards) |
| Rubber Sole | Medium-hard brush, eraser for scuffs | Abrasive cleaner on the sidewall |
Smooth Leather
First, brush off coarse dirt when dry. Then, use a slightly damp cloth and a little mild soap, working in circular motions, section by section. Do not soak – leather soaks up water and becomes stiff when drying.
Afterwards, wipe with a second, clean cloth and let dry. If the leather appears dull, a thin layer of leather care product or shoe polish in a matching color will help. For creases in the toe area: you can't remove them completely, but using shoe trees between wears will significantly reduce them.
Suede and Nubuck
The most sensitive material and the one that most people struggle with. Suede is cleaned dry.
- Brush with the suede brush always in one direction, not back and forth.
- Treat localized stains with a suede eraser – use light pressure, otherwise you'll rub off the nap.
- Finally, brush again in the direction of the nap to ensure an even pile.
For water stains: lightly dampen the entire surface evenly to prevent a rim from forming, then dry at room temperature and brush afterwards. Waterproofing spray before the first wear will save you half the work.
Mesh and Knit
Little water, lots of patience. Lather a mild cleaning agent in lukewarm water and apply only the foam with a soft brush. Work in circular motions, don't scrub – aggressive rubbing pulls mesh apart and leaves light spots.
Remove residue with a damp cloth. For light mesh, check after drying: soap residues attract dirt and the area will turn gray again more quickly.
Canvas
Canvas is uncomplicated and can withstand the most. Soft brush, mild soap solution, rinse thoroughly with clear water. Avoid bleach: it brightens temporarily but causes white canvas to yellow in the medium term.
Soles and Yellowed Midsoles
The outsole can handle a medium-hard brush and more pressure. Black scuffs on the white sidewall often come off with a magic eraser.
Yellowed midsoles are a different issue: this is oxidation in the material, not dirt on the surface – no cleaning in the world will remove it. There are brightening methods with hydrogen peroxide and UV light that work but have risks: for vintage pairs, the material can become brittle, and for models with a deliberately toned midsole, you destroy the look. For an expensive pair, test on a cheaper one first.
Shoelaces, Insoles, and Odor
Soak shoelaces in lukewarm soapy water, rub briefly, air dry. Only wipe insoles damp, do not soak – the foam will absorb water and take days to dry.
For odor, drying and rotation are most reliable: sneakers need 24 hours to dry completely. Those who wear the same pair daily will experience odor problems, regardless of cleaning. Baking soda left in the shoe overnight draws out residual moisture and odor.
Proper Drying
Never on the heater, never in direct sunlight, never in the dryer. All three deform the sole and cause leather to crack.
Instead: loosely stuff newspaper or absorbent paper inside, leave in a airy place at room temperature, change the paper after a few hours. Allow 24 to 48 hours.
Prevention Saves the Most Work
- Waterproof before the first wear, then every few weeks. Especially for suede and light mesh.
- Rotate. Two pairs worn alternately last longer than twice as long as one worn daily.
- Act immediately. Fresh dirt comes off in two minutes; dried dirt takes twenty – or not at all.
- Wipe off winter road salt before it dries. Salt marks eat into leather and textile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put sneakers in the washing machine?
Better not. Even on a delicate cycle and in a laundry bag, heat and mechanical stress can loosen adhesive bonds. For canvas models, it usually works out, but for anything with a midsole, it's a risk.
Does toothpaste help with yellowed soles?
No. Toothpaste is abrasive and polishes the surface, but it does not address the yellowing within the material. It might look brighter in the short term, but you'll dull the sole in the long run.
How often should I clean?
Coarse dirt immediately, a thorough cleaning every four to eight weeks depending on use. More frequent cleaning does more harm than good, especially for suede.
What to do about salt stains in winter?
Dab with lukewarm water and a splash of vinegar on a cloth, do not rub, then wipe with clear water and let dry slowly.
Can I waterproof suede without it getting darker?
Spray a special spray for suede thinly and from a distance of 25 to 30 cm. Too close or too much will cause stains. Test on the inside first.
And if the size is the actual problem
Many creases and signs of wear are not caused by lack of care, but by a shoe that is too large and slips when rolling off the foot. How to reliably determine your size can be found in our Sneaker Size Chart.