These shoe-cleaning mistakes can ruin your favorite pair—here’s what to do instead

Before you scrub a stain or toss your shoes in the washer, check the material. These simple fixes can help you avoid an expensive mistake.

I love white shoes, but keeping them clean can be a pain. I’ve had good luck putting some pairs through the washing machine, though that’s definitely not an option for every shoe.

So how do you get the dirt out without wrecking the pair? U.K. footwear retailer Elevate Your Sole shared its advice with me for cleaning white sneakers, suede and leather, plus freshening up smelly shoes. Some fixes only require what’s already in your cupboard, but a few common cleaning habits can leave your shoes worse off.

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Can you put shoes in the washing machine?

Sometimes, but check before you do it. Elevate Your Sole warns that machine-washing sneakers can weaken adhesives, distort their shape, and damage cushioning. Nike doesn’t recommend it for its shoes either. VIVAIA, on the other hand, allows it for certain styles.

For its machine-washable shoes, VIVAIA’s washing guide calls for a wash bag, gentle detergent, cold water, and a delicate cycle, followed by air-drying. Other styles require different care, so check the product page for your exact pair.

My cream VIVAIA Aria 5 flats have been through the wash quite a few times, and they still clean up surprisingly well after years of wear on dirty city streets. I show how they look now, along with the pairs I’m keeping and returning, in my five-year VIVAIA review and video.

How to clean white sneakers

Elevate Your Sole’s advice for white sneakers starts with the laces: Take them out and soak them separately in warm, soapy water so dirt doesn’t transfer back onto the shoe.

For the shoe itself, the retailer suggests a paste of one tablespoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and a little warm water. Apply it with a soft brush, such as an old toothbrush, and scrub gently. Wipe it away with a damp cloth and let the shoes air-dry.

Rubber midsoles get their own fix: a small amount of non-gel white toothpaste, scrubbed gently and wiped clean with a damp cloth, to lift dirt and black marks.

For stubborn scuffs, Elevate Your Sole suggests dabbing with acetone nail polish remover on a cotton pad, keeping it off fabric. If you’d rather skip the chemicals, rub the cut side of a raw potato over the mark. The retailer says the natural starch helps lift stains and restore shine.

White leather sneakers need leather-appropriate care, and suede panels need their own treatment. A white shoe isn’t necessarily washable just because it looks like your other sneakers.

How to clean suede shoes safely

Suede needs a gentler approach, and Elevate Your Sole says reaching for water right away is a common mistake.

“Always start by dry brushing with a suede brush or soft toothbrush, moving in one direction to avoid damaging the nap,” the retailer’s footwear specialists advise.

For stains, they recommend lightly dabbing a tiny amount of white vinegar onto a cloth, rather than soaking the shoe. Let the area dry naturally, then brush again to restore the texture.

If the shoes are already wet or muddy, wait before brushing. Allow the moisture or mud to dry first to avoid creating another stain.

And resist putting suede shoes on a radiator to speed things up. Elevate Your Sole warns that direct heat can cause shrinkage and hardening.

How to clean leather shoes

Elevate Your Sole recommends gently wiping leather shoes with a damp cloth and diluted mild soap, or an appropriate vinegar-and-water solution, without soaking the material.

The right cleaner depends on the leather and its finish, so follow the shoe manufacturer’s instructions before trying a household mixture.

After cleaning, Elevate Your Sole recommends a leather conditioner to help prevent cracking and maintain suppleness. Buff with a soft, dry cloth, and choose any conditioner or protective spray specifically for the material you’re treating.

Suede and nubuck need different care, even though they’re types of leather. Don’t automatically use your smooth-leather products on them.

How to deal with smelly shoes

Start by letting shoes dry completely between wears. Putting a damp pair straight into a closet gives lingering moisture nowhere to go.

For lingering odors, Elevate Your Sole suggests sprinkling baking soda inside shoes, leaving it overnight, and shaking it out the next day. Remove the powder thoroughly before wearing them. The retailer also suggests tucking dry tea bags inside shoes to absorb odors.

I’m just as careful about washing my clothes, especially pieces I want to keep wearing for years. If yours are looking worn sooner than they should, you may be making this common laundry mistake.

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