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How to Make Your Sneakers Look New
Again
If your sneakers are dirty, it's time to get them looking
like new again! There are lots of ways to clean sneakers
at home. The correct method will depend on the
materials that your shoes are made of, so be sure to
identify the material before attempting to clean your
sneakers.
Part One of Four:
Washing Your Sneakers
Wash canvas sneakers in the washing machine.
If you have some dirty canvas sneakers, you
can easily get them clean by throwing them in the
washing machine, just as you would any other dirty
garment. You may also be able to wash some non-
canvas sneakers in the washing machine, but check
the manufacturer's instructions before attempting it,
as not all sneakers are machine washable. [1]
Put a few towels in the laundry with your
shoes.
Remove the laces and use a brush to remove
any loose dirt from your shoes before you put
them in the washing machine.
Place your shoes inside a pillow case to
protect the drum.
Use warm water for white shoes and cold water
for colored fabrics.
You can add some vinegar or hydrogen
peroxide to the washing machine to help
disinfect your sneakers and remove odors.[2]
If you have embellished your canvas sneakers
with paint, markers, or other decorations, avoid
washing them in the machines, as the
decorations may not hold up.
Hand wash sneakers. You can clean most
sneakers by hand with cleaners that you
probably already have. Simply add a small amount of
laundry detergent or dish soap to a bowl of water
and use a small brush to scrub the solution into
your shoes. Once they're clean, pat them dry with a
clean rag or paper towel. [3]
You may also want to add some baking soda to
your solution, especially if you are cleaning
white sneakers.[4]
Remove the laces first. If the lace holes are
very dirty, clean them with a cotton swab.
It's a good idea to use a dry brush to remove
any loose dirt from your shoes before you get
them wet.
If your sneakers have been stained by any kind
of oil, use a gentle shampoo instead of
detergent. [5]
Never use this method on suede. It should be
fine for most other sneakers, but consult the
care label to be sure.
Allow sneakers to dry properly. No matter how
you cleaned your sneakers, it's important to
make sure you dry them properly. Air drying shoes
is typically the best method, regardless of material.
Never dry your sneakers in the dryer or on the
radiator, as this can cause the rubber soles to
become misshapen. [6]
Stuff wet shoes with paper towels to help them
dry faster and retain their shape. [7]
You can let most sneakers dry in the sun, but
never do this with leather shoes, as direct
sunlight can cause them to become discolored.
[8]
You can blot moisture off of your shoes with a
rag to help make them dry a bit faster.
You can hang your shoes to dry if you want,
but this is not necessary.
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Part Two of Four:
Using Special Cleaning Techniques for Leather and
Suede
Use a specially formulated cleaner for suede.
You can't clean suede with water, as it may
damage the material. Instead, purchase a suede
eraser solution, which is available at most shoe
stores. Use a brush to work the solution into your
shoes, then brush away the excess solution with a
clean brush. [9]
Be sure to brush the suede in only one
direction. [10]
Use vinegar to clean suede. If you can't find
suede cleaner, you can try gently scrubbing
your suede shoes with white vinegar to get them
clean. For the best results, use a special suede
brush, which you should be able to find at any shoe
store. [11]
If you have bad stains, blot them with the
vinegar-soaked rag instead of rubbing.
Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to dry off your
shoes after you're done cleaning.
Use leather cleaner. If your shoes are leather,
it's best to use a cleaning solution that is
specifically designed for cleaning leather. Simply
use a soft towel to gently rub the solution into your
shoes, and they'll be sparkling clean before you
know it! [12]
You should be able to find leather cleaning
solution at any shoe store.
Try toothpaste for leather. Another effective way
to clean leather sneakers is with a little bit of
toothpaste. Simply dampen the surface of your shoe
with a wet rag, use a toothbrush to scrub the
toothpaste in, and wipe the shoes clean with
another damp rag. Let them air dry indoors or
outside in the shade. [13]
Be sure to use white toothpaste, as colored
toothpaste may stain your shoes.
Avoid using too much water. You just need
enough to dampen the surface of the shoe and
wipe away the excess toothpaste.
Use baby oil on leather. To quickly brighten up
your leather sneakers, try wiping them down
with a rag or cotton swab coated in baby oil. This
method may not get rid of serious stains, but it's
great for everyday cleaning.[14]
Avoid using this method on canvas or suede
sneakers, as the oil may stain the material.
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Part Three of Four:
Cleaning Rubber Soles
Attack scuffs with an eraser. If you have any
scuffs or stains on the rubber part of your
sneakers, you can get rid of them quickly by rubbing
them with a white eraser, which you can buy at an
art supply or office supply store. The sooner you do
this, the better it will work, so don't put it off. [15]
A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is also excellent for
getting rid of scuffs on rubber surfaces. [16]
Brighten your soles. To clean rubber soles,
simply use a toothbrush dipped in a mixture of
baking soda and rubbing alcohol. It may require a
little elbow grease, but your soles will be back to
white before long. [17]
If you have stubborn stains, you can try
soaking your shoes in a shallow pan so that
only the soles are submerged.
Get tough grime off of your soles. If you have
sticky substances on the sole of your shoes,
regular cleaning may not be enough to get rid of it.
Luckily, it's fairly easy to get even nasty things like
gum and tar off of your shoes.
If the sticky substance is not dry, place your
shoes in the freezer inside of a freezer-safe bag
for a few hours. This should cause the
substance to become brittle, so you can scrape
it off. [18]
If you have tar on your shoes and normal
cleaning doesn't do the trick, apply a tar and
sap remover. These products are typically
designed for automotive use, so always check
the label to make sure it's safe for rubber. You
can also try WD-40 or baby oil. [19]
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Part Four of Four:
Cleaning Laces and Insoles
Machine wash laces. Even if your sneakers are
not machine washable, your laces are. Remove
your laces and get them sparkling clean by putting
them in the washing machine with your regular
laundry. [20]
Place them in a lingerie bag or inside a pillow
case to prevent them from getting tangled in
the machine.
Washing your laces is especially important if
they are white.
Never machine wash leather or suede laces.
Soak laces. If you don't want to wash your
laces in the washing machine, you can get
them clean by soaking and scrubbing them as well.
Simply let them sit in a bowl of hot water, baking
soda, and dish washing liquid for about five
minutes. Then use a small brush, such as a
toothbrush, to scrub them clean. [21]
Use a suede cleaner or vinegar if your laces are
suede.
Clean the insoles. If you want the insides of
your sneakers to be as clean as the outsides,
you should definitely take the time to clean the
insoles. Remove them from your shoes and use a
brush to scrub them down with a mixture of warm
water and detergent.[22]
Be sure to allow the insoles to air dry before
putting them back inside the sneakers.
Deodorize the insoles. If your insoles are a little
smelly even after you wash them, you may need
to take an extra step to freshen them up. Baking
soda and vodka are both terrific for removing odors.
[23]
Try placing them in a plastic bag with some
baking soda overnight. Shake the bag well so
that the baking soda covers the entire insole.
The next morning, simply shake off the excess
baking soda and put the insoles back in your
sneakers.
For really tough odors, soak your insoles some
vodka for a few hours. This will get rid of all
odor-causing bacteria and fungi.
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Tips
If you don't want to clean your sneakers yourself, you
can take them to a professional cleaner.
You can try shoe whitening or blacking liquid,
available at any shoe store. Be sure to read the
instructions and only use these products on the
materials that are advised by the manufacturer.
Stains will come out much easier if you treat them
right away. The longer you wait to clean them, the
harder it will be to get your shoes looking like new.
Add
Warnings
Always read the care instructions on the shoes to
determine what methods are safe for cleaning them.
Be sure you know what material your shoes are made
of before you start cleaning them. Using the wrong
method can damage certain materials.
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