How to Wash Sneakers by Hand: Step-by-Step for Every Material
How to Wash Sneakers by Hand: Step-by-Step for Every Material
Hand washing takes more effort than putting shoes in a machine, but it is the right choice for delicate materials, shoes with embellishments, or any pair you are not confident putting through a wash cycle. Done correctly, it cleans just as thoroughly — and it eliminates every machine-related risk.
This guide covers the full hand wash method from start to finish, along with specific approaches for canvas, mesh, and white shoes.
Before you start: Complete the prep steps first — remove laces and insoles, knock off loose dirt, and identify any stains. Full details in our [How to Prepare Sneakers for Washing].
When to hand wash instead of machine wash: If the care label says “hand wash only,” if the shoe has leather panels, glued-on details, or embellishments, or if you are unsure about the material — hand wash.
Contents
What You Need
You do not need specialist products. Most of these are already in your home:
- Mild liquid soap or laundry detergent (a few drops is enough)
- Two small bowls — one with warm soapy water, one with clean rinse water
- A soft brush — a dedicated sneaker brush, a nail brush, or a clean soft toothbrush
- A microfibre cloth or clean sponge
- Old toothbrush (for outsole grooves and tight areas)
- Clean dry towel for patting dry after washing
Optional: Baking soda for stains on white shoes. White vinegar for odour.
Step-by-Step: How to Hand Wash Sneakers
Step 1: Make your cleaning solution
Fill a small bowl with warm water — not hot. Add 3–4 drops of mild liquid laundry detergent or dish soap and stir gently until you have light suds. This is all you need. More soap does not mean cleaner shoes — excess soap is harder to rinse out and can leave a residue that attracts dirt.
Step 2: Clean the outsoles first
Start with the rubber outsole and midsole using the old toothbrush. Work the soapy water into the tread grooves with circular scrubbing motions. Clean the sides of the midsole. Rinse the toothbrush frequently in the second bowl of clean water so you are not spreading dirt back onto the shoe.
Clean the outsoles before the upper so that any splash from vigorous scrubbing hits dirty surfaces rather than the freshly-cleaned fabric.
Step 3: Clean the fabric upper
Dip the soft brush into your soapy water and work across the fabric upper in small circular sections. Apply light, consistent pressure — you are lifting dirt from the surface fibres, not scrubbing through the material. Pay particular attention to the toe box, the heel counter, and any crease lines where dirt accumulates.
For mesh and knit uppers, the brush should be soft — stiff bristles can damage the weave. Work gently in the direction of the weave where possible.
For canvas, slightly more pressure is acceptable as the material is more durable.
For any stitched overlays or panels, clean around the stitching carefully. Dirt accumulates in the grooves where panels meet and requires deliberate attention.
Step 4: Clean the tongue and interior
Fold open the tongue fully. Use the damp cloth (not the brush) to wipe down the tongue interior — the fabric here is often thinner and more delicate. Wipe the interior lining of the shoe with the cloth to remove sweat residue and surface bacteria. You are not trying to saturate the interior — a light wipe is sufficient.
Step 5: Treat any remaining stains
After the initial clean, check for stains that the brush and water have not fully lifted.
For most stains: Apply a small amount of undiluted liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain. Work it in with a fingertip using gentle circular motions. Leave for 3–5 minutes, then scrub lightly with the soft brush and rinse.
For stains on white canvas: Make a paste of baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply it directly to the stain, leave for 10 minutes, then scrub with the toothbrush and rinse thoroughly. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and lifts surface staining without damaging the canvas weave.
Step 6: Rinse thoroughly
Rinse the shoe under a slow-running cold tap or use a clean cloth soaked in plain water to wipe away all soap residue. Soap left on the shoe will dry stiff and can attract new dirt faster. Keep rinsing until the water running off the shoe is completely clear and produces no suds.
Do not submerge the shoe or hold it under a forceful stream — you want to rinse the surface without saturating the interior padding.
Step 7: Pat dry and air dry
Pat the outside of the shoe with a clean dry towel to remove surface water. Stuff the interior firmly with newspaper or paper towels to absorb interior moisture and help the shoe hold its shape. Place upright in a ventilated area and air dry fully before wearing.
→ For full drying methods including fan drying, silica gel, and preventing yellowing, see [How to Dry Sneakers Fast].
Hand Washing by Material
Canvas shoes (Converse, Vans, generic canvas)
Canvas responds very well to hand washing. Use a slightly firmer brush and slightly more pressure than for fabric shoes — canvas is woven and durable. The rubber toe cap and outsole can be scrubbed with the toothbrush using a circular motion. For white canvas, a baking soda paste on any yellowed areas works well. Rinse very thoroughly — canvas holds soap.
Mesh and knit uppers (running shoes, Flyknit)
Use only a very soft brush — a dedicated sneaker brush or a clean, soft nail brush. Mesh is an open weave and a stiff brush can pull or distort the threads. Work in the direction of the weave with light pressure. Do not soak — apply the cleaning solution with the brush rather than submerging.
White sneakers
White shoes need the same method as above but with two additions. Apply a baking soda paste to any stained or greying areas before cleaning, and work a small amount of white toothpaste (non-gel) onto the rubber midsole and outsole for extra whitening. Rinse very thoroughly. Dry away from direct sunlight to prevent midsole yellowing.
Allbirds and wool-blend uppers
Wool uppers — found in Allbirds and some running shoes — need cool water and very mild soap. Hot water causes wool to felt and shrink. Use the gentlest touch of any shoe type, a soft cloth rather than a brush, and never wring or twist the shoe. Pat dry gently and stuff immediately to hold shape.
Hey Dude shoes
Hey Dude shoes use a lightweight foam-based construction that can be hand washed with cool water and mild detergent. Remove the insoles first and wash them separately. The upper material is thin and dries quickly — 6–10 hours with newspaper stuffing.
Sandals (Chacos, Tevas, similar)
Sandals with straps can be hand washed by scrubbing the straps and footbed with a brush and soapy water. Work into the texture of the footbed where foot oils accumulate. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry flat. For leather straps, use a damp cloth rather than a wet brush.
How to Hand Wash Shoelaces
Soak laces in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of laundry detergent for 15–30 minutes. For white laces, add a small amount of oxygen bleach to the soak. Work the laces between your fingers, squeezing and releasing repeatedly. Rinse under cold running water until completely soap-free. Leave flat on a towel to dry — do not hang them, which can stretch the cord.
Hand Washing with Baking Soda — What It Does and Does Not Do
Baking soda is often cited as a universal sneaker cleaner. It is useful but limited. What it does well: lifts mild surface staining from white canvas, neutralises odour when left inside the shoe dry, and provides gentle abrasion on rubber surfaces.
What it does not do: remove deep-set stains, clean mesh without risk of leaving a white residue, or replace proper soap and water cleaning. Think of it as a helpful addition to the process, not a replacement.
How to wash sneakers by hand with baking soda: Make a paste of two parts baking soda to one part water. Apply to stained white areas. Leave 10 minutes. Scrub gently with a toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly until no white residue remains.
FAQ
What is the best way to clean sneakers by hand? A soft brush with warm soapy water, working section by section — outsoles first, then fabric upper, then tongue and interior. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and air dry stuffed with newspaper.
Can you hand wash running shoes? Yes. Most running shoes with mesh or synthetic uppers can be hand washed safely. Use a soft brush, cool water, and mild detergent. Avoid soaking the foam cushioning — apply the cleaning solution with a brush rather than submerging the shoe.
How do you wash white shoes by hand without them going yellow? Use cool water (never hot), dry away from direct sunlight and heat, and apply a baking soda paste to any yellowed canvas areas before washing. Yellow midsoles are caused by heat and UV — the prevention is always cool drying away from sun.
How do you hand wash Vans shoes? Vans canvas styles hand wash very well. Use a soft brush and mild soapy water on the canvas upper, an old toothbrush on the rubber sole and foxing tape, and rinse thoroughly. Stuff with newspaper and air dry away from heat.
How do you wash smelly shoes by hand? Clean the interior lining with a cloth dampened with a mixture of water and white vinegar (equal parts). Leave to air out completely. After washing, sprinkle baking soda inside and leave overnight before replacing insoles. For persistent odour, the bacteria is often in the insole foam — consider replacing the insoles.