A canvas low-top and a suede runner need different care. Start with the shoe maker’s instructions, identify every material on the shoe, and choose products whose labels explicitly cover that material and finish. This checklist is a starting point, not a substitute for those directions.
Putting a kit together? Browse our Sneaker Care & Accessories collection and check individual labels before choosing a cleaner.
Before you start: the quick checklist
- Check the care label or the shoe maker’s website. If the material or finish is unclear, ask before applying a cleaner.
- Remove laces and removable insoles only where the shoe’s instructions allow. Clean these separately according to their own care directions.
- Let surface mud dry, then gently remove loose dirt with a suitable soft brush. Use a separate tool for dirty soles.
- Test the intended product on a small, hidden area. Let it dry and check for changes in color or texture before continuing.
- Set out clean cloths and work in the conditions required by the cleaner’s label. Stop if color transfers, the finish changes or the material reacts unexpectedly.
Canvas: small areas, light pressure
- Brush off loose dirt gently before introducing moisture.
- If the shoe maker permits damp cleaning, use a cleaner labeled for that canvas and color, with the amount of water specified in its directions.
- Work in small sections with a soft tool. Avoid saturating the upper or scrubbing printed details.
- Lift residue as directed and let the shoes air-dry. Do not assume canvas sneakers are machine washable: construction, glue, dyes and trims also matter.
Suede: begin with a dry brush
- Let the shoe dry before gently brushing surface dirt with a suede brush.
- For a remaining stain, choose a product specifically labeled for suede and test first. Avoid treating suede like smooth leather.
- Follow the product’s application and residue-removal instructions rather than soaking the area.
- Once dry, gently brush to lift the nap. For persistent stains or valuable pairs, consult a specialist instead of repeating stronger treatments.
Our Suede & Nubuck Cleaning Kit includes a stain remover with a brush-head applicator and a separate brush. Confirm suitability for your pair and follow the bottle’s directions.
Nubuck: check the finish before treating
- Confirm that the upper is nubuck, including whether it has a special finish.
- Start dry with a brush suitable for nubuck and use light pressure.
- Use a cleaner only if both the shoe’s care instructions and the product label allow it. Test and let the test area dry first.
- Allow the shoe to dry fully before gently restoring the surface texture with a suitable brush. Skip smooth-leather polish unless the shoe maker specifically calls for it.
Smooth leather: protect the finish
- Check whether the leather is smooth, coated, patent or another specialty finish. Do not use a smooth-leather routine on suede or nubuck.
- Remove loose dirt with a soft cloth. If damp wiping is permitted, use a lightly dampened cloth rather than soaking the upper.
- Apply only a cleaner labeled for the leather and finish. Wipe away residue as directed without aggressive scrubbing.
- Use conditioner or polish only when recommended for that shoe. Avoid improvising on metallic, painted or delicate finishes.
Knit: gentle handling, minimal moisture
- Remove loose dirt gently, taking care not to catch loops or threads.
- If wet cleaning is permitted, use a cleaner labeled for the knit material and color, following its dilution and application directions.
- Blot or use a very soft tool as directed. Avoid hard scrubbing, twisting or wringing the upper.
- Do not assume the shoe can go in a washing machine. Follow the shoe maker’s instructions for the whole shoe, including overlays and bonded parts.
Mixed materials and soles: treat each area separately
Keep a cleaner intended for one panel off neighboring materials unless its label covers those too. A suede overlay still needs suede-specific care even when the rest of the shoe is canvas or knit. If you cannot isolate the panels confidently, ask a specialist.
Use a separate cloth or brush for soles so you do not carry grime back onto the upper. Do not extend an abrasive sole-cleaning method to painted details, logos or delicate uppers.
When not to mix products
Do not mix cleaners together or combine them with household chemicals. Do not layer different products on a wet shoe or assume that products sold in a kit should be mixed. Use each separately, in the order and with the drying time specified on its label. If compatibility or the sequence is unclear, stop and ask the manufacturer.
Read every label before use, follow ventilation and handling precautions, avoid eyes and skin, and keep care products away from children. Skip DIY chemical recipes and stronger repeat treatments when a stain does not lift.
Dry completely, then store
- Let shoes air-dry in a shaded, ventilated place, away from radiators and direct heat. Follow any more specific drying instructions from the shoe maker.
- Support the shape gently with clean, unprinted paper if permitted, replacing it when damp. Do not overstuff.
- Wait until the inside and outside are fully dry before wearing or putting the shoes away.
- Store in a dry place away from direct sunlight, without crushing the uppers. Choose storage that fits the shoe without forcing it into shape.
- If using a protector, confirm material compatibility, start with clean, dry shoes and follow its label’s application, ventilation and drying directions. Do not treat it as a guarantee against water or stains.
For organized storage, our Drop-Front Shoe Boxes have vent slots and clear doors. Check the listed dimensions before ordering: they are intended for low-tops and flats up to US women’s 10 or men’s 9; larger pairs and most high-tops will not fit. Vent slots are not a reason to put damp shoes away.
Your repeatable routine
Identify the material, remove loose dirt, test a compatible product, clean gently, and dry completely. A careful light clean is a better starting point than an aggressive all-over treatment. Find tools and storage in Sneaker Care & Accessories, and let your shoe’s instructions and each product’s label guide the final choice.