Brush or wipe your shoes after any wear that leaves dirt on them, and give the pairs you wear most a proper clean about once a month. Condition leather once or twice a year, or whenever it looks dry. Wet, muddy or salty conditions push all of that forward, and suede needs a dry brush, never a wash.
The quick wipe after wearing does most of the work. Fresh dirt comes off in seconds; dried mud sits in the creases where leather flexes, and on a knit sneaker it sets hard and stains. Two minutes at the door saves a much bigger job later, and saves your floors too (our hardwood floor guide covers the grit that does get tracked in).
How often to clean each type of shoe#
| Shoe |
After each wear |
Proper clean |
Extra care |
| Smooth leather shoes and boots |
Brush or wipe off dirt |
Monthly if worn often |
Condition once or twice a year |
| Suede and nubuck |
Dry brush |
Spot clean marks as they happen |
Waterproofing spray, renewed as needed |
| Canvas and knit sneakers |
Knock off mud and grit |
Every few weeks, or when grubby |
Wash laces and insoles separately |
| Running shoes |
Let them dry out fully |
When muddy or smelly |
Track mileage for replacement |
| Work boots |
Brush off mud |
Weekly in wet or muddy months |
Reapply protector after heavy rain |
Red Wing's boot care FAQ says caring for its leather boots once or twice a year is plenty for most people, best timed for when the leather feels dry or before the boots go into storage. Its care article adds two habits: wipe off dirt with a soft brush or damp cloth after each use, and reapply protector every few weeks or after heavy rain or mud.
Habits that mean less cleaning#
Give shoes a day off between wears. The University of Kentucky Extension's clothing storage guide recommends at least a 24-hour rest for clothing and shoes, and Red Wing says the same about letting sweat evaporate from boots. Shoes that never get a chance to dry out are the ones that start to smell.
Use shoe trees or stuff them with paper. The Kentucky guide says they help shoes keep their size and shape, and Red Wing suggests cedar boot trees while wet boots dry.
Dry wet shoes at room temperature. Red Wing says never near a radiator, heater or direct sun, because the heat dries leather too fast and makes it crack and stiffen. Clarks gives the same warning for trainers. Stuff wet shoes with newspaper, change it when it's soaked, and be patient.
How to clean sneakers#
Nike doesn't recommend putting shoes in the washing machine. Its suggested method is a soft brush, a mild detergent in warm water, and air drying. A fabric upper doesn't mean the glue, foam and shape will survive a spin cycle.
- Take out the laces and, if they come out, the insoles.
- Bang the soles together outside to knock out grit, then dig stones out of the tread with an old toothbrush or a cocktail stick.
- Dry brush the uppers to lift loose dirt.
- Mix a few drops of mild detergent into a bowl of warm water. Scrub the uppers and midsoles with a soft brush, working in small circles.
- Wipe off the suds with a clean damp cloth. Don't soak the shoe.
- Wash the laces by hand in the same soapy water, or in a mesh bag with your laundry.
- Stuff the shoes with paper and leave them to air dry, away from heat. Nike warns the heat from a dryer can damage shoes.
Wash or wipe the insoles separately and let them dry fully before they go back in. That's where most of the smell lives.
How to clean and condition leather shoes#
- Remove the laces so you can reach the tongue.
- Brush off dried dirt, paying attention to the welt (the seam where the upper meets the sole). Mud collects there.
- Wipe the leather with a damp cloth, or use a leather cleaner or a little mild soap for marks. Let it dry.
- Condition. Clarks' shoe care guide says to apply an even coating of shoe lotion to condition the leather. Use a small amount, work it in with a soft cloth, and buff off the excess.
- Polish if you want a shine, then add a protector spray if the shoes see rain.
Clean before you condition. Putting conditioner over dirt just pushes the dirt into the leather.
How to clean suede and nubuck#
Don't use leather cream or polish on suede. Products made for smooth leather can mat the nap and change the color for good. Clarks recommends a specialized suede brush to lift dirt and marks, and a waterproofing spray to protect it afterward.
For mud, let it dry completely and then brush it off. Brushing wet mud just smears it into the nap. For marks, use a suede eraser or a cleaner made for suede, and test it on the inside of the heel first. Clarks notes that a damp cloth may darken suede temporarily, but the color should come back as it air dries.
When to repair or replace shoes#
Look at your shoes properly once a season. Check the heels for wear on one side, the soles for thin spots or splits, the stitching, and the lining at the back of the heel. A cobbler can replace heels and soles on many leather shoes, and doing it before the damage reaches the upper costs less. A slippery or detached sole needs fixing before you wear the pair again.
Running shoes wear out on the inside before they look worn. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says the cushioning foam starts to show structural damage after about 120 miles, and by 500 miles a shoe has lost 45% of its original shock absorption. Its rule of thumb: divide 75,000 by your body weight in pounds to estimate how many miles you can run before replacing them. At 150 pounds, that's about 500 miles. The AAOS also notes the cushioning can degrade over time even if the shoes aren't used.
If you have foot or joint pain that doesn't settle, see a doctor or podiatrist instead of just buying new shoes.
Storing shoes for the season#
The Kentucky guide says to clean and repair shoes and boots before storing them, and to keep them in their original box, an old pillowcase or another container that lets air through. Tightly sealed plastic boxes can promote mildew on leather. Our guide to storing seasonal clothes covers the rest of the swap.
A monthly ChoreLists.com reminder for a proper shoe clean, and a twice-yearly one for conditioning leather, covers almost everything on this page.