How to Clean Suede and Leather Sneakers at Home (Step-by-Step)

Suede sneakers are cleaned dry with a soft brush, and leather sneakers with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap. Mesh, insoles and rubber soles can take mild detergent. Nothing goes in the washing machine. The routine is the one we give for every pair of NoStrain sneakers for men. It works for any suede or leather pair.

Key takeaway: keep water off suede, wipe leather instead of washing it, and always dry in the shade.

Suede vs leather sneakers: how cleaning differs

	Suede	Smooth or grained leather	Mesh panels
Daily care	Dry brush in one direction	Wipe with a dry cloth	Brush off dust
Proper clean	Dry brush, eraser on marks	Damp cloth with mild soap	Soft brush with mild detergent solution
Water	Keep it off	A damp cloth is fine	A little, on the mesh only
Extra care	Optional suede protector spray	Leather conditioner every few weeks	None needed
Drying	Room temperature, shade	Room temperature, shade	Room temperature, shade

What do you need to clean sneakers at home?

You need a soft-bristled brush, two cotton or microfibre cloths, a bowl of water with a few drops of mild liquid detergent, and some newspaper or tissue paper. A clean old toothbrush handles small spots and the sole's tread. Add a suede eraser for suede pairs and a leather conditioner for leather pairs.

Skip bleach, harsh chemical cleaners and stiff wire brushes. They strip colour from suede and crack the finish on leather.

How do you clean suede sneakers without water?

Let the pair dry fully, stuff it with paper, then brush the suede lightly in one direction to lift dust. Work scuffs with short back-and-forth strokes to raise the nap, and finish with one-direction strokes so the surface looks even. Suede is never washed, because water darkens it and leaves tide marks.

Suede is leather with a brushed surface called the nap. The step-by-step routine:

1. Wait until the sneakers are completely dry. Brushing damp suede pushes dirt deeper.
2. Stuff the shoes with paper so the upper keeps its shape.
3. Brush the whole suede surface lightly in one direction.
4. Brush back and forth over scuffs with short strokes.
5. Brush once more in one direction to even out the nap.
6. Clean the sole and any mesh separately, keeping water off the suede.

This is the exact routine for our SLANT suede sneakers, which pair suede panels with mesh.

How do you remove stubborn marks from suede?

Rub the mark gently with a suede eraser or a clean pencil eraser, then brush the nap back up. If the mark stays, lightly dampen the corner of a cloth with white vinegar and dab the spot without soaking it. For oil, cover the stain with cornstarch, leave it overnight and brush it off.

Test any liquid on a hidden spot near the heel first. Stop if the colour lifts, since scrubbing harder wears the nap thin and leaves a shiny patch.

How do you clean leather sneakers?

Wipe off loose dust, then clean the leather with a soft cloth dampened in water and a drop of mild soap, wrung out well. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth to lift the soap, dry with a soft cloth and let the pair air-dry. Every few weeks of regular wear, rub in a thin layer of leather conditioner.

The same steps work for smooth leather and printed-grain leather:

1. Brush or wipe off loose dust.
2. Wipe the leather in small circles with the damp, soapy cloth, paying attention to toe creases.
3. Wipe again with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
4. Dry with a soft cloth and leave the pair in the shade.
5. Apply conditioner now and then and buff it off, so the leather doesn't dry out and crack at the flex points.

All-leather pairs such as the NOIR black leather sneakers need nothing more than this.

How do you clean sneakers that mix suede, leather and mesh?

Clean each material with its own method and keep the methods apart. Dry-brush the suede first, then clean the leather with a damp cloth and the mesh with a damp brush, keeping both away from the suede edges. Many everyday sneakers combine two or three materials on one shoe.

A cotton bud or the tip of a toothbrush helps along the stitching where suede meets leather or mesh. Work from the suede outwards, so no damp cloth crosses back over suede you have already brushed.

The ALBA leather tennis sneakers are a good example: leather uppers with suede overlays, so the cloth stays on the leather and the brush on the suede.

How do you clean mesh, insoles and soles?

Brush mesh with a soft brush dipped in mild detergent solution, then wipe with a damp cloth. Take the insole out, brush it with the same solution and let it dry fully. Rubber and TPR soles can be scrubbed with water, detergent and a toothbrush along the tread and the edge where sole meets upper.

Never put a damp insole back, because trapped moisture causes odour.

How should you dry sneakers after cleaning?

Dry them at room temperature in a shaded, airy spot with paper stuffed inside, and change the paper once it turns damp. Keep them away from direct sun, heaters and hair dryers, since heat fades suede, shrinks leather and can loosen the glue between upper and sole. Put the insole back only when everything is fully dry.

How do you care for sneakers in Indian dust and monsoon?

Brush suede after dusty days so fine dust doesn't settle into the nap, and wipe leather at the end of the day. In monsoon, wear leather pairs and keep suede for dry days. If suede gets wet, blot it with a dry cloth, stuff it with paper, let it dry at room temperature and brush it once dry.

Store sneakers in a ventilated spot, not a closed plastic bag, so trapped humidity doesn't leave them smelling musty.

If you are buying a pair with rainy months in mind, our guide on how to choose sneakers covers material, sole and fit.

Mistakes that ruin sneakers

• Machine washing, which soaks the upper and can break the bond between sole and upper
• Washing suede with water and detergent
• Drying in direct sun or with a hair dryer
• Using bleach or harsh chemical cleaners
• Putting cream or wax polish on suede
• Wearing suede in rain or on waterlogged roads

How we care for SLANT, ALBA and NOIR sneakers

These are the care instructions we ship with each line.

SLANT: suede and mesh

Dry-brush the suede, clean the mesh with a soft brush and mild detergent solution, take out the insole and clean it separately, and wash the rubberised TPR sole with water and detergent. SLANT comes in grey, black, beige and navy blue.

ALBA: leather with suede overlays

Wipe the leather with a soft damp cloth and dry-brush the suede patches only. Don't soak or machine wash. ALBA comes in five colours, each paired with white.

NOIR: all-black leather

Wipe with a clean dry or slightly damp cloth, condition the leather occasionally and keep the pair away from water and direct sun. NOIR needs the least care of the three.

Which is easier to look after: suede or leather sneakers?

Leather is easier. It wipes clean in a minute and handles a damp cloth, so it suits rainy months, office wear and anyone who wants low upkeep. Choose suede if you like its soft, matte look and most of your days are dry, and plan on a quick brush after every few wears.

For a slip-on option in breathable canvas for hot days, see our men's slip-on espadrilles.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put sneakers in the washing machine?

No. Machine washing soaks the upper and can weaken the bond between the sole and the shoe. Clean the upper, insole and sole by hand.

How often should I clean leather sneakers?

Wipe off dust after a few wears and do a full clean when they look dull or marked. Apply leather conditioner every few weeks of regular use.

Do I need a suede protector spray?

It is optional. A protector spray applied to clean, fully dry suede helps resist water marks and stains, which is useful before monsoon. Brushing is still the main care step.

How do I clean the white sole on my sneakers?

Use water, a little mild detergent and an old toothbrush. Scrub the tread and the edge of the sole, then wipe with a damp cloth.

How do I stop sneakers from smelling?

Take the insole out after long wear and let the insole and shoe air-dry fully. Clean the insole with mild detergent solution when needed and never put it back damp.

Can I use shoe polish on suede?

No. Cream or wax polish flattens the nap and leaves dark patches. Use polish or conditioner only on smooth or grained leather.