How to Wash Shoes and Kid's Sneakers

Nothing seems to pick up dirt, stains and stink faster than a shiny new pair of shoes. We’ll show you how to get those dirty sneakers clean again, either by hand or with a machine wash.

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Whether it’s from dirt, mud, grass or food stains, kids’ canvas shoes and sneakers can get dirty pretty quickly. To keep them clean and your kids looking their best, start by routinely wiping shoes down with Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, especially white midsoles. You can also use Clorox® Disinfecting Mist to keep odors under control in between washings. Eventually, kids’ shoes and sneakers get dirty enough to hand wash to get them really clean or, if allowed, you can machine wash cloth, canvas and mesh shoes.

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Check the care instructions first

Before washing your shoes, it’s always a good idea to check any care instructions first. However, this information is not usually readily available on the shoes themselves because shoes are exempt from the Care Labeling Act and are not required to have a permanent care label the same way clothes are.

Sometimes care instructions are on the box; if you no longer have the packaging, you can often find care information on shoe brand websites. It may take a little digging, but it’s useful information, especially since care recommendations vary from brand to brand.

When in doubt about the best way to care for your shoes, always test the products you want to try on a hidden part of the shoe before proceeding.

What you need to hand wash canvas shoes and sneakers

Steps to hand wash canvas shoes and sneakers

  1. Remove shoelaces and insoles

    If the shoes have removable laces and/or insoles remove them and set them aside for cleaning.

    Tip

    Only wash shoelaces made of cotton, polyester or nylon; don’t wash leather shoelaces.

  2. Brush away obvious dirt

    Brush away loose soils and dirt from the shoes with a dry nylon brush.

    Tip

    Make sure the shoes are dry when you brush off loose dirt.

  3. Mix the cleaning solution

    Add 1 capful of liquid Clorox 2® for Colors to 1 quart of water.

    Tip

    Use Clorox 2® full strength for pretreating obvious stains.

  4. Scrub the outside

    Dip the brush in the cleaning solution and scrub the outside of the shoe starting at the top of the upper portion of the shoe and working your way down toward the midsoles. Scrub gently with a circular motion, dipping the toothbrush in the solution as needed to apply additional cleaning solution.

    Tip

    Work on one shoe at a time before rinsing.

  5. Rinse the shoes

    Run each shoe under water from the faucet in the sink until all the cleaning solution is rinsed away.

  6. Clean the soles

    Clean the midsole and outsole with the cleaning solution scrubbing with the nylon brush, then rinse the shoes again.

  7. Air dry the shoes

    Stuff each shoe with a few paper towels and place away from sunlight in a warm room with a fan nearby to circulate air and speed up drying time.

    Tip

    Replace paper towels in the shoes when they become damp. When no more moisture transfers to the paper towels, remove then while the shoes finish air drying.

  8. Clean the insoles

    While the shoes are air drying, use the cleaning solution to gently scrub the insoles with the nylon brush, and then rinse and set aside to air dry with the shoes.

  9. Clean the laces

    While the shoes are air drying, soak the shoelaces in the cleaning solution for 1 hour, then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry with the shoes.

  10. Sanitize

    Once the shoes, laces, and insoles are completely dry, reassemble the shoe before spraying with Clorox® Disinfecting Mist.

    Tip

    Surfaces must remain visibly wet for 2 minutes to sanitize before air drying.

While hand washing is the ideal method for cleaning shoes, many people still want the convenience of machine washing, and may opt to wash shoes made with cotton, polyester or nylon if they don’t want to deal with hand washing. A lower wash temperature, a delicate cycle, and a mesh laundry bag help protect shoes in the washing machine, and might help free up more time without negatively impacting the shoes.

What you need to machine wash shoes and sneakers

Steps to machine wash canvas shoes and sneakers

  1. Remove insoles

    If the shoes have removable insoles take them out and set them aside for cleaning.

  2. Remove shoelaces

    Remove any shoelaces, spray them with Clorox® Fabric Sanitizer Spray and transfer them to small mesh laundry bag.

    Tip

    Only wash shoelaces made of cotton, polyester or nylon; don’t wash leather shoelaces.

  3. Brush away obvious dirt

    Brush away loose soils and dirt from the shoes with a dry nylon brush.

    Tip

    Make sure the shoes are dry when you brush off loose dirt.

  4. Pre-treat the shoes

    Spray the shoes all over with Clorox® Fabric Sanitizer Spray.

    Tip

    Let stand for 3 minutes to sanitize and 5 minutes for stain removal. Do not let the product dry out on the shoes.

  5. Insert shoes in the mesh laundry bag

    Place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag and close it securely. Add it to your clothes washer along with a 1–2 old towels to help balance the washer.

    Tip

    Add the shoelaces in their own mesh bag at the same time.

  6. Run the cycle

    Select cold water and the delicate cycle, add Clorox 2® for Colors along with your regular detergent, then start the washer.

  7. Clean the insoles

    While the wash cycle is running, spray the insoles with Clorox® Fabric Sanitizer Spray and scrub gently with the nylon brush, and then rinse.

  8. Air dry the shoes, laces and insoles

    Stuff each shoe with a few paper towels and place away from sunlight in a warm room with a fan nearby to circulate air and speed up drying time. The shoes can also air dry outside on a warm day in the shade.

    Tip

    Replace paper towels in the shoes when they become damp. When no more moisture transfers to the paper towels, remove then while the shoes finish air drying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put shoes in the washer?

Only a few shoe manufacturers recommend machine washing; many more recommend hand washing or spot cleaning for shoe care. This is usually to protect the materials used to construct the shoe, like glue that holds the uppers to the midsole, and to prevent shrinkage, but it can also be to preserve materials like leather or beading or even silk.

Can you put shoes in the dryer?

Regardless of how you wash shoes and sneakers, keep them out of the dryer unless recommended specifically by the manufacturer. High dryer heat can damage shoes, so letting them air dry is usually the way to go.