How to Clean Secondhand Sneakers & Running Shoes Without Ruining Them

One of the best things about buying shoes secondhand is finding a great pair for a fraction of what they cost new.

The not-so-great part?

Sometimes they come home looking like they've already had a few adventures.

The good news is that many secondhand sneakers and running shoes can be cleaned up surprisingly well. The key is knowing what the shoes are made from before reaching for the scrub brush.

Here’s how to clean thrifted shoes without accidentally ruining your find.

Before You Start: Check the Material

Not every sneaker should be cleaned the same way.

Before adding water or cleaning products, take a look at the upper portion of the shoe. Is it mesh or knit, canvas, leather, suede or nubuck, synthetic material, or a combination of several materials?

If the manufacturer has provided cleaning instructions, follow those first.

When you're unsure, start with the gentlest method and test any cleaning product on a small, less-visible area.

Step 1: Remove the Laces and Insoles

Take the laces out before you begin.

Removing them makes it much easier to clean around the tongue, eyelets and other areas where dirt tends to collect.

If the insoles are removable, take those out too. They can hold sweat and odour even when the outside of the shoe looks perfectly clean.

Clean removable insoles separately when appropriate and allow them to dry completely before putting them back into the shoes.

Sometimes simply cleaning or replacing old laces and insoles can make a secondhand pair feel remarkably refreshed.

Step 2: Brush Away Dry Dirt First

Don’t immediately dunk dirty shoes into water.

Use a soft shoe brush or an old clean toothbrush to loosen dried mud, dust and debris from the uppers, midsoles and outsoles first.

This prevents you from turning dry dirt into muddy water and rubbing it deeper into the fabric.

For dirt stuck in the tread, a toothbrush can help reach into the grooves.

Step 3: Make a Gentle Cleaning Solution

For many canvas, mesh and synthetic sneakers, you don’t need anything fancy.

A small amount of mild laundry detergent or mild dish soap mixed with warm water is often enough.

The important word here is mild.

Using too much concentrated detergent can leave residue or potentially affect the material.

Dip a soft brush or cloth into the solution rather than completely soaking the shoe.

Step 4: Clean Mesh and Knit Sneakers Gently

Running shoes frequently have mesh or knit uppers, and these require a lighter touch.

Use your mild soapy solution and a soft brush or clean toothbrush.

Instead of aggressively scrubbing back and forth, gently work with the direction of the knit or fabric.

Then use a clean damp cloth to remove the soap and loosened dirt.

Avoid bleach and harsh cleaners unless the shoe manufacturer specifically says they are safe for that particular material.

Step 5: Give Canvas Shoes a Little More Attention

Canvas can usually tolerate somewhat more cleaning than delicate mesh.

Work your mild cleaning solution into stained areas with a soft toothbrush or brush, then wipe away the loosened dirt and soap with a damp cloth.

Don’t assume that white canvas automatically means bleach is safe.

Some white shoes contain coloured stitching, adhesives, printed details or other materials that may react differently. If you use any whitening product, check the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure it is suitable for the material first.

Step 6: Clean the Rubber Soles Separately

This is where an old toothbrush or cleaning eraser can be particularly useful.

A damp melamine cleaning sponge — commonly known by brand names such as Magic Eraser — can help with some scuff marks on white rubber midsoles.

Use light pressure.

You don’t need to scrub every mark away. Remember, you’re cleaning secondhand shoes, not trying to erase the fact that they’ve ever been worn.

For textured outsoles, a toothbrush and mild soapy water can get into the grooves much more easily.

What About Leather Sneakers?

Leather needs different treatment from fabric.

Avoid saturating leather with water.

Start by wiping away surface dirt with a soft, damp cloth. For stubborn marks, use a cleaner intended for the particular type of leather and follow its directions.

After cleaning, an appropriate leather conditioner may help restore moisture and appearance.

Be Extra Careful With Suede

Suede is one material where I’d put the water down before doing anything else.

Start with a suede brush on dry shoes, brushing gently to lift dirt and restore the nap.

A suede eraser can sometimes remove scuffs and marks.

For more stubborn stains, use a product specifically intended for suede and follow its directions.

With a valuable pair of suede shoes, professional cleaning may be a better choice than experimenting with household products.

Should You Put Secondhand Sneakers in the Washing Machine?

This is one of those questions where you’ll find conflicting advice.

Some manufacturers allow machine washing for certain shoes, while others specifically recommend hand washing.

So what’s the safest answer when you’ve bought an unknown pair secondhand?

Hand wash them unless the manufacturer specifically says that particular pair can be machine washed.

You don’t always know the age of secondhand shoes or the condition of their adhesives and internal components. Saving a few minutes isn’t worth destroying a great thrift find.

Should You Disinfect Secondhand Shoes?

Cleaning and disinfecting aren’t quite the same thing.

Ordinary cleaning removes dirt and grime. If you specifically want to disinfect a shoe, first determine whether the material can safely tolerate the disinfecting product.

Some hard, nonporous areas may tolerate products that would be inappropriate for leather, suede, mesh or other shoe materials.

Always read the disinfectant label and the shoe manufacturer’s care instructions before using a disinfecting product.

In other words, don’t automatically spray the entire shoe with disinfectant simply because it’s secondhand.

How to Deal With Odour

First, remove and clean the insoles if they’re washable.

Let both the shoes and insoles dry completely before putting everything back together.

Persistent odour may actually be coming from the insoles rather than the shoe itself. If cleaning doesn’t solve the problem, replacing removable insoles may be worthwhile.

And don’t underestimate fresh air and thorough drying.

A shoe that’s still damp inside can quickly smell worse than it did before you cleaned it.

The Most Important Step: Let Them Air Dry

This is where patience pays off.

After cleaning, gently blot excess moisture with a clean towel and allow the shoes to air dry at room temperature in a well-ventilated area.

Avoid the clothes dryer.

High heat can damage or deform some shoe materials and may affect adhesives.

It’s also best to avoid intense direct heat, such as placing wet shoes directly against a heater.

You can loosely stuff the shoes with clean paper to help absorb moisture and maintain their shape while they dry. Replace the paper if it becomes saturated.

Make sure the shoes are completely dry inside and out before wearing them.

A Few Things We’d Avoid

When you’ve found a great pair secondhand, the goal should be to clean them using the least aggressive method that works.

We’d avoid starting with strong bleach, harsh solvents, aggressive scrubbing, soaking leather or suede, or tossing an unknown pair straight into the washer or dryer.

You can always clean a shoe a second time.

It’s much harder to undo faded fabric, damaged suede, separated glue or a warped sole.

Secondhand Shoes Don’t Have to Look Brand New

This might be the most important thrift-shopping tip of all.

A good pair of secondhand shoes doesn’t need to look as though it just came out of a box.

A little wear is part of its history.

Clean away the dirt, freshen them up and take care of the materials — but don’t feel as though every tiny sign of previous wear has to disappear.

That’s the whole idea behind giving something a second life.

At ItsADeal.ca, we love finding clothing, footwear and accessories that still have plenty of life left in them. Learning how to care for secondhand finds helps keep useful items in closets and out of the waste stream for longer.

Happy thrifting — and happy cleaning!

From ItsADeal.ca — affordable fashion, secondhand finds and unique pieces waiting for their next chapter.