How to Clean Knit Sneakers Without Ruining Them
The short answer: clean knit sneakers by hand. Use cool or lukewarm water, a little mild soap, and a soft brush worked gently in the direction of the knit. Then let them air dry away from heat. Hot water, harsh scrubbing, bleach and the dryer are what do the damage.
Knit uppers are comfortable and light, but they are woven from yarn, which means they can snag, stretch and hold dirt in a way a smooth leather shoe doesn't. The good news is that a few minutes with a bowl and a brush usually does the job, no special products required.
What you need
Nike's care guidance for its knit and mesh shoes is a good template, and the kit is simple: a mild detergent or soap, a soft shoe brush or an old toothbrush, a couple of soft microfibre cloths, a bowl of cool or lukewarm water, and something to hold the shoe's shape while it dries, such as a shoe tree or crumpled newspaper.
Step by step
- Knock off the loose dirt. Tap the soles together outside and brush dry mud off the upper before any water goes near it. Wet mud rubs in; dry mud brushes out.
- Take out the laces (and insoles if they lift out). Wash laces separately by hand in soapy water, rinse them, and air dry.
- Stuff the shoes. Crumpled newspaper or a shoe tree keeps the shape while you work.
- Brush with the knit, not against it. Dip the brush in the soapy water and work in the direction of the knit pattern, which can change across the shoe. Nike's advice is not to scrub too harshly, so you don't snag the yarn.
- Do the soles. The sides and bottom can take a firmer brush than the upper.
- Wipe off the soap. Use a clean damp cloth and repeat if the shoes are very dirty. Leftover soap attracts dirt, so don't skip the rinse-wipe.
- Pat dry and air dry. Blot with a cloth, then leave them at room temperature in a ventilated spot.
For white or light mesh with stubborn marks, Nike suggests a paste of two parts baking soda to one part water, brushed on and left for about 30 minutes before wiping off with a damp cloth.
What to avoid
Hot water. Nike warns it can affect the dye. The dryer and direct heat. Tom's Guide notes heat can warp plastic parts and distort a shoe's shape, and dryer heat can even melt the plastic tips on laces. Bleach and harsh chemicals. Stick to mild soap. Hard scrubbing. It is the quickest way to fuzz or snag the knit.
What about the washing machine?
This is where brands disagree. Nike does not recommend machine washing its shoes. Tom's Guide says mesh and canvas sneakers are generally machine-washable, but tells readers to check the label first, brush off dirt beforehand, use a mesh laundry bag, pick a gentle cool cycle, and remove insoles and dirty laces. The practical rule: if the care label or the maker says no, don't. If you're unsure, hand cleaning is the safe default, and it takes about the same time as loading the machine.
Drying: the part people rush
Patience matters more than technique here. Keep the shoes stuffed with paper while they dry, swap the paper once it's damp, and keep them away from heaters, hair dryers and long stretches of harsh sun. We cover this in more detail in our guide to drying wet shoes without damaging them.
A note on waterproof knit shoes
If your knit sneakers have a waterproof membrane, the same gentle approach applies. Our own Tasman has a breathable knit outer over a ZEA-TEX waterproof membrane, and our care guidance is hand cleaning: remove loose dirt, wipe with a damp cloth, use cool water with a little mild soap for marks, then air dry in a shaded, ventilated spot. The full steps are on our shoe care page.
FAQ
Can I use laundry detergent on knit sneakers?
Yes, a small amount of mild detergent diluted in cool or lukewarm water is what Nike's guidance suggests. Avoid bleach and strong cleaners.
How often should I clean them?
Brush off dry dirt after muddy outings, and do a full clean when they look or smell grubby. Cleaning more gently and more often beats an occasional hard scrub.
Can I use a hair dryer to speed things up?
No. Heat can distort the shoe and damage materials. Stuff with paper and give them time.
Will cleaning ruin the knit?
Not if you keep to cool water, a soft brush and light pressure, and brush along the direction of the knit.