How to Clean Sneakers Properly: A Complete Guide by Material

Want to know how to clean your sneakers properly so they stay clean and looking their best without damaging the materials? When your favorite shoes start looking dull, you may feel torn between wanting to clean them and worrying that one wrong step could permanently damage their shape or color.

These concerns are understandable. Even a small shoe-care mistake can have serious consequences:

• Machine washing: EVA foam midsoles can lose their flexible structure. Washing machines can also tear or peel the upper material.
• Drying in direct sunlight: Outsole adhesive can melt and set unevenly, while persistent musty odors may remain.
• Scrubbing mesh aggressively: Fine fibers can tear and develop irreversible pilling.
• Exposure to high temperatures: The air chamber in a Nike Air unit may leak or deflate.

Many general guides recommend the same care routine for every material. However, canvas, mesh, suede, and knit each need specific techniques. Explore this material-by-material guide from the aQualis Fabricare team.

Sneaker Anatomy: Three Main Areas to Protect

Before cleaning, understand the three main areas of a sneaker, each of which tolerates cleaning differently.

1. Upper

The upper has the widest variety of materials and needs particularly careful attention.

2. Midsole

The thick layer between the upper and outsole is commonly made from EVA foam, or ethylene-vinyl acetate. This compression foam has an open-cell structure that is highly vulnerable to heat. High temperatures can leave the midsole “dead,” permanently reducing its rebound.

Special midsole technologies require extra care:

• Nike Air unit: Resembles a transparent air pocket and is sensitive to temperatures above 60°C, which may cause leakage.
• Adidas Boost: Made from TPU beads resembling small white pearls. Water exposure is acceptable, but avoid stiff-bristled brushes.
• New Balance Fresh Foam: A premium foam sensitive to high temperatures.

3. Outsole

The outsole is made from resilient rubber and is the most impact-resistant area. It can be scrubbed with a firm brush, but take care around the bonding area where it joins the midsole. The specialized adhesive can weaken with prolonged soaking or high heat.

How to Identify the Upper Material

Before washing, identify your sneakers' upper material:

1. Feel the texture. A rough, fuzzy texture indicates suede. A smooth, slick surface indicates leather. Fine knitted fibers suggest mesh or knit, while a flat woven fabric indicates canvas.
2. Check the tongue label. Major manufacturers often list material composition in this area.
3. Check the official product description. Brands such as Nike, Adidas, and New Balance provide material details on their official websites.
4. Follow the cautious approach. If unsure, treat the shoes as carefully as suede, the most sensitive material.

How to Clean Sneakers by Material

1. Canvas Sneakers: Converse, Vans Canvas, and Other Canvas Shoes

Canvas is the material most tolerant of wet cleaning.

Suitable methods:

• Soak in cold to lukewarm water, up to 30°C, with mild detergent.
• Use a toothbrush or medium-bristled brush on the upper.
• Soak shoelaces separately.

Avoid:

• Machine washing: Drum agitation can damage outsole bonding and distort the toe box.
• Very hot water above 40°C for colored canvas, as colors may bleed.
• Soaking longer than 30 minutes, which can weaken internal adhesives.

Cleaning steps:

1. Remove the laces and removable insoles, then clean them separately.
2. Dry-brush the exterior to remove surface dust.
3. Dampen a soft brush with mild soap mixed into cold water.
4. Brush the upper in one direction, from top to bottom.
5. Clean the outsole thoroughly, then wipe all areas with a microfiber cloth.
6. Stuff the shoes with absorbent paper and dry them in the shade.

2. Mesh and Flyknit Sneakers: Nike Free Run and Adidas Ultraboost Mesh

Mesh is a fine-pored synthetic netting that collects dirt easily and can be damaged by unsuitable cleaning methods.

Suitable methods:

• A very soft brush or microfiber cloth.
• Cold water.
• Diluted detergent solution.

Avoid:

• Stiff brushes: Fine mesh fibers can tear and develop permanent pilling.
• Prolonged soaking: Mesh absorbs water and takes time to dry, increasing the risk of mold inside the shoe.
• Machine washing: Agitation can snag and tear fine fibers.

Cleaning steps:

1. Remove dry dirt with a very soft-bristled brush.
2. Mix one teaspoon of mild liquid soap into 500 ml of cold water.
3. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution, wring it until damp, and wipe the mesh using gentle circular motions.
4. Use a soft toothbrush only for stubborn marks, without excessive pressure.
5. Wipe away all suds and air-dry in a well-ventilated area.

3. Suede and Nubuck Sneakers: New Balance 574 and Nike Cortez Suede

Suede should not be exposed to water. Water can flatten its nap and cause permanent stiffening, leaving water stains that are very difficult to remove.

Avoid:

• Any form of wet washing.
• Ordinary brushes, which may damage the nap.
• Spraying water directly onto the material.

Suede needs professional care. Once stains have penetrated the fibers, professional cleaning with a specialized suede dry-cleaning method is the only safe way to clean it.

4. Knit, Primeknit, and Flyknit Sneakers: Adidas NMD, Adidas Ultraboost Knit, and Nike Flyknit

Unlike ordinary mesh, knit is an elastic, single-piece knitted fabric integrated into the shoe's structure. Even a small brush can pull fibers and create permanent snags.

Suitable methods:

• Spot-cleaning with a damp cloth rather than a brush.
• Cold water with very mild soap.
• Very light pressure.

Avoid:

• Firm or medium-bristled brushes.
• Soaking: Wet knit temporarily loses elasticity and may stretch permanently if pulled or hung while wet.
• Machine washing.

General Step-by-Step Sneaker Cleaning

After identifying the materials, follow these stages to clean your shoes appropriately.

Preparation

1. Remove the shoelaces and wash them separately with mild detergent, soaking for 10–15 minutes.
2. Remove insoles if they are designed to be detached, then clean according to their materials.
3. Gently tap the outsoles to release soil and solid debris.
4. Use a dry brush to remove dust before applying cleaning products.

Clean the Upper According to Its Material

Use the method best suited to the shoe's material:

• Canvas and smooth leather can generally be cleaned using a slightly damp cloth or soft brush.
• Mesh and knit need minimal pressure.
• Suede and nubuck should be cleaned using suitable dry methods.

Do not use one solution or technique across the entire shoe when different materials are involved.

Clean the Outsole

The outsole can usually be cleaned with a brush and mild soap solution.

• Choose a medium- or firm-bristled brush according to the rubber's durability.
• Use a small brush for grooves and crevices.
• Avoid aggressive scrubbing around sole joints.
• Remove soap residue with a damp cloth.

Clean the Midsole

• For white or gray midsoles, use a microfiber cloth with a little soap and cold water.
• For heavily soiled midsoles, use a paste made from baking soda and a little water. Apply only to the midsole, never to suede or mesh uppers.
• Wipe gently rather than scrubbing hard.

How to Dry Sneakers Without Damaging Them

Proper drying is just as important as washing. Excessive heat can affect cushioning materials, adhesives, colors, and the shape of your sneakers.

Avoid the following methods:

• Tumble drying: Dryer temperatures of 60–80°C can damage EVA foam midsoles and bonding adhesives, and may cause Nike Air units to leak. Adidas officially prohibits dryer use for all its products.
• Direct sunlight: Excessive heat and UV exposure can fade colors and affect adhesives.
• High-temperature hair dryers: Concentrated heat can damage surfaces and construction.
• Hanging shoes by their laces: The weight of wet shoes can pull on materials and distort their shape.

Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Sneakers

Some seemingly convenient habits can shorten the life of your shoes.

When Should Sneakers Be Cleaned Professionally?

Not all sneakers are suitable for home cleaning. Professional handling can help reduce the risk of damage in certain situations.

Consider a professional shoe-cleaning service for:

• Suede or nubuck: These materials require special care to preserve their surface texture. Take them to a professional promptly to help prevent stiffening and texture changes.
• Stubborn stains: Oil, ink, paint, or ingrained dirt may need specialized products.
• Collectible or limited-edition sneakers: Cleaning mistakes can affect both condition and value.
• Persistent odors: The source may be the insoles, lining, or trapped moisture.
• Mixed materials: Combinations of suede, mesh, leather, and decorative details need a different approach for each panel. Seek professional cleaning promptly to help prevent damage.
• Heavy soiling: Mud, seawater, or exposure to extreme conditions may require more thorough cleaning. Prompt professional care and a deep-cleaning treatment are recommended.

aQualis Fabricare: Sneaker Cleaning Tailored to Each Material

aQualis Fabricare understands that every sneaker has different materials, construction, and care requirements. Selecting a suitable method is therefore an important part of keeping shoes clean while maintaining their condition.

Our shoe-care services include:

• Deep Clean, Unyellowing, Re-whitening, and Leather Treatment: Our professional staff provide treatments for different shoe types, drawing on experience caring for thousands of pairs.
• GreenChemical Treatment: Environmentally friendly, plant-based cleaning formulations with a neutral pH. These are safe for mesh fibers, help maintain color brightness, and protect shoe adhesive layers.
• AntiBacterial Guard: Specialized protection targeting odor-causing bacteria deep within insole fibers.
• Wet Clean: We use wet-cleaning chemicals for leather and suede, applying a semi-dry-cleaning technique suitable for the materials, followed by additional finishing treatments.
• Shoe pickup and delivery throughout Greater Jakarta: aQualis Fabricare collects your shoes and returns them clean and carefully protected.

Alternatively, visit an aQualis shoe-cleaning center for a free cleaning consultation.

Find Your Nearest aQualis Fabricare Outlet

For in-person advice about sneaker care, aQualis Fabricare has a service network across several regions in Indonesia.

Greater Jakarta

• South and West Jakarta: Kebayoran Baru, Cipete, Kemang, Pondok Indah, Fatmawati, Senayan, and Kebon Jeruk.
• North and East Jakarta: Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), Kelapa Gading, Sunter, and Cakung.
• Central Jakarta: Menteng and Salemba.
• Surrounding areas: Depok, Bogor, BSD/Serpong, South Tangerang, and Bekasi.

Java: Surabaya, Bandung, Semarang, and Yogyakarta.

Sumatra: Medan, Palembang, and Pekanbaru.

Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Eastern Indonesia: Balikpapan, Makassar, and Manado.

Check the full outlet list and opening hours to find a service location near you.