What is the best way to clean running shoes?

Question

(combination fabric and faux (?) leather.... but mostly fabric)

Answer 1

You can use a magic eraser on the leather part.  Not much help on the fabric portion - sorry.

Answer 2

I'm a professional trainer, and appearance matters -- so shoes have to look great.  I use Quick-n-Brite to pre-scrub everything, even the soles.  I don't use a scrub brush -- it can scratch leather or vinyl badly -- I use an old washcloth with the soap on it, and just scrub into the crevices and grimy areas.

Then they go in the washer with my white dishtowels and rags, with a bit less bleach than normal.  Kills athlete's foot or any odor, and really gets any stains out.  Sometimes I leave the laces on, but if they're beat up, they get replaced.

Quick-n-Brite can be hard to find -- so I also will use regular bar soap, or even liquid dish detergent.

I NEVER put shoes in the dryer -- it ruins them.  I take clean rags or washcloths and stuff the shoes to shape them, and set them out to dry for a few days.  If I need them sooner, I put them on the floor in front of a fan and they're usually ready the next day.  By the way, I DO take out the insoles and wash them in the washer as well, in addition to any replacement insoles.

Without fail, people will admire my "new" shoes, lol.

Good Luck... :)

Answer 3

I put them in the washer with jeans or towels. Really loosen the laces or take them out completely and put them in a little bag to wash (or replace I guess). Spread out the shoe, pull the tongue up.

You can dry them in the dryer (kinda rough) or you can spread them out, pull up the tongue and let them air dry.

My experience is that the washer doesn't hurt the faux suede on my tennies.

I also just use a damp rag to wipe away the scuff marks on leather. If you have white shoes you can use white shoe polish (in a squeeze bottle with a sponge top) to perk up the smooth leather bits.