How does one clean their sneakers?

I know Angie has had several articles in the past on how to lighten and brighten white sneakers/trainers. I'd love to reread that information because I've scuffed some white Brooks Ghost 13 sneakers that I really like and I need to clean them up. But I also have a black pair in the same model and, well let's just say that I stepped in some dog-doo and I have been scouring them even though they were only on the sole in a bucket outside and cleaning them with toothpicks to get all the grooves and treads spotless. While it didn't touch the top fabric of the shoe, psychologically (lol) I want them to be clean and was wondering if I should put them in the washing machine now that they are wet and soaking outside. So, I guess I have three questions:

1. Does someone have Angie's link on spot-cleaning white sneakers?
2. Is it okay to put sneakers/trainers in the washing machine?
3. What's the best way to clean scuffs on the white rubber portion and fabric portion, in general?

Thank you for any cleaning tips. ^^
xo

2 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I clean some of mine with soap water and a scrub brush. Leather I just scrub the soles. I have lite colored cloth (actually faux leather) I don't know how to clean. Only thing, IMO, that can go in the washer is canvas.

cat2

Brooks has a How to Clean Running Shoes post on their web site. Don’t machine wash!

Vicki

(website)

Excellent tips by both of you and I just went to the Brooks site. Thank you. I even learned from the article that putting newspaper inside will help them to dry and retain their shape.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Here is a post:

https://youlookfab.com/2021/08.....-sneakers/

Inge

Moderator

I'm seconding what cat2 says: I once put a pair of Converse in the washing machine (cold wash), and although they came out cleaner, the glue that apparently keeps the soles and fabric together had leaked, and the white soles looked far from pristine. Never was able to get them looking nice again...

Yay! Thank you, Angie and Inge, for adding the link and your personal experiences, respectively. I’m going to keep that link in a special place in my email. I knew there was an Oxi reference but I just couldn’t remember the rest of the details.

Adding this because cat2 wisely suggested it: https://www.brooksrunning.com/.....shoes.html

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

How I wash fabric sneakers in a front-loading machine, with excellent results: I loosen the laces, and put each shoe in its own lingerie bag. I add some light color towels in to help minimize impact.

Delicate cycle, maximum time, lowest spin, cold water. Laundry detergent + about a half teaspoon of Blue Dawn to the dispenser.

30 minutes, low heat in the dryer, and let them finish air drying.

I’ve washed white leather sneakers similarly after stepping in horse poo in Downtown Atlanta (#^%**). The results were excellent, but… I couldn’t get past it in my head, so I donated them.

If your shoes are leather, you need to condition the leather after washing. Saphir makes great leather polishes and cream dyes that may help with staining.

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