How to Clean and Care for Tennis and Athletic Shoes

How to Wash Tennis and Athletic Shoes

1. Remove the Laces

   Begin your shoe-cleaning project by removing the shoelaces and putting them in a mesh laundry bag to keep them untangled. Toss them in with a load of laundry, or set them aside to wash with your shoes. If your laces are fraying and weak, replace them.

   Tip

   Do not try to clean the laces by keeping them on the shoes. Remove them every time you think the shoelaces need cleaning. Besides not getting the laces fully clean, the ends of the shoe’s laces can easily get caught or tangled inside your washing machine. 

2. Clean the Insoles

   Remove the insoles from your shoes, and wipe them down with a clean cloth or paper towel dipped in a solution of 1 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon baking soda. Set the insoles aside to air-dry while you wash the rest of the shoe.

   If the insoles are smelly, sprinkle them with baking soda to absorb odor and moisture, or replace them. This method can be done frequently, even if you're not cleaning the rest of the shoe.

3. Wash the Shoes

   Before you wash your shoes, you might want to vacuum them inside and out with a brush attachment to remove any loose dirt or stones from hard-to-reach crevices.

   Begin by rinsing the outside of the shoes with cool water to remove any loose dirt or soil. Next, place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag. Using warm water and a heavy-duty detergent like Persil or Tide, wash them with a load of similarly colored towels.

   Tip

   Washing the sneakers with towels in the machine will help keep the machine balanced. The towels will also muffle the sound of the sneakers hitting the drum walls and will be gentler on your shoes. If you have a washer with adjustable final-spin speeds, select a lower speed to prevent the washer from becoming unbalanced.

4. Air-dry the Shoes

   Remove the shoes from the washer, and let any residual water drip away. Next, place them on a drying rack in a well-ventilated space to air-dry. Stuff your shoes loosely with white cotton towels or white tissue paper to prevent color transfer and help them retain their shape. Don't use newspaper because the ink might transfer and rub off on your socks.

   If you must use a dryer, select the air-only cycle. Never use a hot setting. High heat can warp the shoes, melt glue, and cause them to fall apart.

5. Polish and Protect

   When your shoes are completely dry, you can use white, black, or appropriately colored shoe polish to touch up any scuffs on leather shoes. Be careful, though, because the polish will stain. Then, use a leather conditioner to keep the exterior supple and prevent cracking. For canvas shoes, a fabric protective spray will help repel dirt and stains between cleanings.

Treating Stains and Scuff Marks on Tennis and Athletic Shoes

If your canvas shoes have a particular oil or food stain, follow the guidelines for removing the specific stain. In general, clean the stain as soon as you can for the best success with stain removal. Avoid allowing a stain the time to set; those stains are tougher to remove.

Mud and dirt should be brushed off—spot clean dirt and mud stains with laundry detergent before washing. Grass stains are more complex than dirt, usually requiring spot treatment with a toothbrush and diluted distilled water vinegar, alcohol, or a baking soda paste.

Diluted distilled white vinegar is also helpful for removing drips from coffee or other drinks and snow and road salt stains common during wintery days.

For scuff marks on leather or faux leather shoes that are too dark for shoe polish, clean them with a paste of baking soda and a bit of water. Dip a cloth in the paste and gently wipe away the scuff mark. Wipe away any residue with a damp cloth.

A permanent marker or colored shoe polish in a matching color can work wonders for dark shoes to hide scuffs and other blemishes.

Care and Repairs

If the soles become detached, repair your tennis shoes with shoe glue, and let them dry for at least 24 hours.

Unfortunately, most rips or tears in tennis and athletic shoes are difficult to fix. Usually, you'll need to replace them.

Storing Tennis and Athletic Shoes

If you don't think you'll be wearing your sneakers for a while, pack them away in a shoebox, plastic tub, or drawstring shoe bag. These storage methods protect your shoes from dust buildup. Always clean your sneakers before storing them, as residual dirt and oils can cause yellowing.

How Often to Wash Tennis and Athletic Shoes

Fortunately, washing most athletic shoes is easy and takes only a few simple steps. Tennis and athletic footwear generally require cleaning every few months, depending on the frequency of use. You might need to clean them sooner if they are visibly dirty or if they are your primary pair of shoes worn daily.

Tips for Washing Tennis and Athletic Shoes

• Do not use your dishwasher to wash tennis shoes or athletic shoes. The high-heat drying cycle can shrink and melt shoe parts. The dishwasher is also not safe for leather. Dishwasher detergents can also ruin and fade leather.
• If you're concerned about bacteria and athlete's foot fungus, disinfect your shoes while washing them. Pine oil disinfectants (Pine-Sol, Spic and Span Pine, and Lysol Pine Action) work in hot and warm water and won't damage the fabric. Add the disinfectant at the beginning of the wash cycle.
• Phenolic disinfectants, such as Lysol, can be added to the wash or rinse cycle. Set the water temperature to warm if adding.
• To speed up the air-drying process, use a circulating fan.