As daunting as the idea may be, many sneakers, especially those made of canvas, cotton, polyester, or other fabrics, can be put in the washing machine. Some brands—Vessi, Rothy’s, Keds, Skechers—specifically tout certain styles as machine washable. As with other garments, check the label or retailer’s site to see if there are any specific recommendations for how to best machine wash your pair.
Generally speaking, it’s best to take out both the insoles and laces before placing shoes in the washing machine. To prevent them pounding around in the machine, secure them inside a washable mesh laundry bag and use the gentle cycle. You can also toss in a few towels or a robe to lessen the impact. Skip the dryer and let them air dry.
There is one major mistake white sneaker owners tend to make: “They don’t protect the shoes when they first get them,” Cope says. “You should treat every new sneaker you get with stain- and water-repellent before you put them on your feet.” He explains that the coating will “prevent dirt and liquid from adhering to the material” as well as make it “a lot easier to clean your sneakers over time.”
For a more low-maintenance solution, opt for a leather shoe, like Everlane’s The Day Sneakers, Adidas Superstar Shoes, or Frye Ivy Low Lace. “Leather is way more forgiving than other materials and doesn’t let dirt and stains seep into it as easily as suede, canvas, and nubuck,” Cope says.
How I tested:
Doctors have told me that I “wear my shoes hard,” so with Cope’s advice in mind, I put my newfound white sneaker cleaning skills to the test on a trio of my white shoes: leather Vejas, suede Adidas, and mixed material Lululemon sneaker with a smooth leather-like surface with detailing that’s more suede-like. I also tried cleaning my all-fabric running shoes, the Lululemon Blissfeel, which are technically more of a light shade of blush pink, but completely filthy. I tested a variety of bestsellers on the market that claim to make your white sneakers sparkle, from on-the-go wipes and shoe erasers to foams and sprays. Below, I’ve rounded up the products that worked the best—actually cleaning my kicks and proving to be effective options.
On-the-go cleaners
Reshoevn8r Sneaker Wipes
For times when you’re out and about, look down, and notice a dark spot on your white kicks, Cope recommends using a sneaker wipe “for a quick touch-up when you are on the go.” Stored in individual pouches, much like a Shout Wipe & Go, the Reshoevn8r sneaker wipes have a smooth side and a pebbly textured side for some extra friction on tough spots. On my leather shoes, these wipes went quite a long way, especially with dirt that was caked into the rim of the sole. On the mixed material, it didn’t have quite the same effect, though it lightened the darkness slightly.
Game Face Sneaker Wipes On-the-Go Pods
It’s fun to watch these little pods warm up for their cleaning jobs. By pressing down on the middle of the pod, the dry wipe is released into the solution pod below, causing it to soak up the solution, growing like a magic towel. Since the cloth is freshly drenched, it did feel like more solution was getting into suede surfaces and really going for a deep cleaning. I was impressed by how several light stains vanished so quickly. I also tried it on my running shoes and it cleaned the shoe up nicely all over, except for on the fabric itself.
Shoe erasers
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
The way one sneaker eraser that I tested started pilling reminded me of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, so I reached under my sink for one. As it turns out, there is a dose of magic here. It worked better than other shoe erasers I tried. That said, the flaking of the sponge started even earlier, not only creating a mess—some of the bits got caught up in the suede material and were a nuisance to pick out.
Shoe cleaners
Grandma’s Secret Sneaker Cleaner
Always trust grandma! I remember being impressed with this homely branded product when I tested stain removers and this version, made specifically for sneakers, did not disappoint. There’s something reassuring about the directions being so simple: “Just remove your laces and spray away,” noting that just one or two pumps should do it. Indeed, it was that magical. My toughest stain on my suede shoes lighted the most, though it didn’t completely disappear. But my fabric shoes overall looked cleaner and fresher.
Pink Miracle Shoe Cleaner Kit
My initial reaction to this kit: I liked that it wasn’t just a formula to apply, but actually came with a brush with sturdy bristles. I followed the directions to pour the liquid on, which got messy, even over the sink. The liquid formula didn’t show at all on the black bristles, so it was hard to see if any was even getting on, or if it was just passing over. So I figured I’d just start scrubbing and was instantly surprised. Even one of my toughest stains lifted—finally! The brush really helped get into the crevices and I felt like I was giving my shoe a complete detailing job.
Star Drops’ The Pink Stuff
In the midst of all this testing, my apartment was starting to smell like a chemical lab. So I was excited to try the Pink Stuff, made with 99 percent natural ingredients and a non-hazardous formula. What’s great is that this doesn’t just work on shoes, but on anything from ovens and stoves to tiles and brass. It is a paste, so it’s messy. I started with a circle scrub and was so excited about how much it cleaned off that I went for a bigger scoop on the toe of my shoe—which turned out to be too ambitious. While the stains lift a bit, it also left behind a pink hue. I’m sure I only notice it because I know where it is, but now I’m hesitant to add more. In fact, I went back to the previous Pink Miracle’s brush to try to lighten the pinkness more. (I also tried it on my stove—while it did clean, it was also hard to get out of crevices.)
NuLife Antidote
Taking Cope’s recommendation, I also tested the NuLife Antidote. I was immediately impressed by the fact that the spray-on formula doesn’t just clear off dirt, but also brightens the yellowing aging of white shoes. Even more intriguing, the eco-friendly formula is UV-activated. I used it on a pair of old fabric running shoes before I left for two weeks, and by the time I got home, they were remarkably cleaner. So I immediately sprayed it on the Lululemon Cityverse shoes I had been running around Los Angeles in. After a day of keeping them by the window to bask in the UV rays, the stains didn’t totally go away, but overall they now have a fresh clean sheen—almost like I whitewashed them—restoring that timeless look of the white sneakers.
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