Here's Exactly How to Clean Your Sneakers
Keep those kicks as fresh as the day you bought them.
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Confession: I used to throw my sneakers in my gym bag as soon as I finished working out, and then I’d forget about them until the next time I laced up. Anyone who got close enough to sniff those shoes could tell you that was a mistake.
But learning how to clean sneakers isn’t only about keeping them smelling—and looking—fresh, says Mark Mendeszoon, DPM, a podiatrist. “It prolongs the longevity of the shoe,”
More importantly, if you let the germs inside your sneakers fester and grow, you could be putting your foot health at risk. Proper sneaker cleaning isn’t always intuitive, however.
“I’ve witnessed many instances of sneakers being irreparably damaged by small cleaning mistakes,” says Matt Connelly, the founder of I Hate Ironing, a dry cleaning and laundry delivery service. If you’re not sure how to clean sneakers the right way, we’ve got you covered with all the details you need to safely and effectively give your shoes a good scrub down.
Why It's Important to Keep Sneakers Clean
Anyone who’s ever put their nose inside a gym shoe knows that our kicks can get a little foul after heavy wear. That’s because of the biology of our feet, and the nature of footwear, says Dr. Mendeszoon. “Your feet have the most sweat glands of any part of the body."
When we stick those feet in the enclosed environment of a shoe, we lock that sweat inside, which can lead to an unfortunate micro-ecosystem, he says. “Moisture attracts bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Those organisms love dark, moist environments."
And if you step in dirt or dog poop during your workout, that can introduce even more nasty bacteria, he adds. Regularly sticking your feet in shoes with those kinds of germs can lead to issues like plantar warts, fungal toenails, athlete's foot, dermatitis, and other skin conditions that don't take long to develop.
Dr. Mendeszoon says if you work out in the same sweaty shoes every single day without taking care of them, you could potentially start to develop rashes or other skin problems within just a week or two.
How to Clean Sneakers Post-Workout
After a sweat session, you want to be careful to let your sneakers dry out. Rather than tossing them in your trunk or, ahem, a gym bag, keep them somewhere where there’s some airflow, like a garage or porch. Even a hallway is better than a closet.
If your feet get particularly drenched when you work out, Dr. Mendeszoon suggests pulling out the insoles and powdering them with cornstarch, baby powder, foot balm, or Gold Bond—whatever you want to use to promote a dry environment, he says.
How to Machine-Wash Sneakers
Most shoes have a care label that will indicate if it's safe to throw them in a washing machine. But you’ll want to be gentle. And, don’t throw your gym shoes in a washer more than once a month at most, says Dr. Mendeszoon.
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Washing too often can make the glues and the cushioning in the midsole start to degrade. Here’s how to wash your sneakers.
Take out the insoles and the laces so they don’t get warped or tangled.
Pre-treat any stains so they don’t become embedded in the fabric, says Connelly. “Use a stain remover or a mixture of dishwashing detergent and water."
Wash sneakers on their own if you can rather than including them with clothes or other sneakers, Connelly says.
Stick your shoes in a mesh laundry bag to protect them, if you have to wash them with other things. This reduces the chances that they’ll be damaged by hitting something else in the machine, and it helps them get a more thorough cleaning.
Choose a quick spin cycle in cold water, says Connelly. “Subjecting your sneakers to a hot water cycle can instantly damage their material and shape."
Resist the urge to add a lot of detergent. This can also harm the shoe materials, Dr. Mendeszoon says.
Let the sneakers air dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. (Never put them in a dryer!) “If you’re worried about them losing their shape, you can stuff them with clean, dry towels or newspaper,” says Connelly.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Foot Reflexology — And How to DIY It At Home
How to Hand-Wash Sneakers
Not all shoes will make it through even the gentlest spin cycle safely, so you may have to hand wash them, says Connelly. “Those containing suede, leather, or velvet would be damaged if put into a washing machine."
If your shoes say they’re meant to be hand washed only, or you simply prefer to be more careful with them, Connelly suggests following these steps:
Take out the insoles and laces.
Spot-treat any stains.
Add one or two tablespoons of mild detergent (designed for delicate fabrics) for every gallon of lukewarm water, and swirl to mix in evenly.
Submerge your sneakers in the water, then use your fingers to gently loosen up any dirt and grime.
Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub especially soiled areas, like the soles.
Drain the dirty water, then replace it with fresh, cool water to rinse off the soap from your sneakers.
Shake off excess water, then air dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.
How to Spot-Clean Sneakers
Sometimes, you don’t want to subject your entire shoe to a major cleaning process, especially if there's only one area of dirt that needs to come off. In that case, Connelly suggests using a little mild dish soap and water (with a ratio of one tablespoon of dish soap to two cups of water). Skip the harsh chemicals or bleach—those can damage sneaker fabrics and make stains worse.
“Dip a soft-bristled brush or cloth into the soapy water mixture and gently dab the stained area of the sneaker, making sure not to oversaturate it with water,” he says. Once you’ve got the dirt out, use a damp, clean cloth to remove any excess soap before leaving the shoes somewhere ventilated to dry.
How to Remove Odors From Sneakers
If your shoes are smelly enough to clear a room, that’s a sign there’s some bacteria growing inside and you need to clean them, says Dr. Mendeszoon. But you don’t necessarily have to give them a full-on soak.
“A quick and effective home solution is baking soda, which can be sprinkled inside your sneakers and left overnight, before dusting it out and vacuuming it the next morning,” says Connelly. The powder absorbs moisture and bad odors to help keep your shoes fresh.
Then, use an antimicrobial spray like Lysol on both the inside and outside, suggests Dr. Mendeszoon. This step will kill off any germs that are making your shoes the wrong kind of funky.
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Bottom Line
A good pair of sneakers can do a lot for your feet. Treat them carefully so they can support you for the long run (or walk, or HIIT session). Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to clean sneakers.
Just let them dry out thoroughly after you sweat in them, and wash them gently from time to time. Hotter water, harsher detergents, and more frequent cleanings will only lead to faster breakdowns, so go easy.
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