Mesh sneakers are easy to stain because the same open structure that makes them breathable also catches dust, mud, and road grime. The safest general approach is not to soak the whole shoe or throw it straight into a washing machine. Instead, remove dry dirt first, take out the laces and removable insoles, hand-clean the mesh with mild soap and cool-to-lukewarm water, wipe away the soap, and air-dry the shoes away from heat.
That method lines up with current manufacturer guidance. Nike's mesh and Flyknit cleaning guidance recommends hand washing, mild soap, a soft brush, and air drying, and says not to machine-wash the shoes. ASICS' running-shoe care guidance also recommends gentle cleaning and warns against fully submerging uppers, while adidas' shoe-cleaning guide emphasizes separate cleaning of the outsole, upper, and laces followed by room-temperature air drying.
Checked September 13, 2026: brand instructions still vary by model and material. If your sneakers have suede, leather, nubuck, waterproof membranes, glued decorative pieces, electronics, lights, or a care label that gives different instructions, follow the shoe-specific guidance instead of the generic mesh method below.
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Hand wash or machine wash? | Hand washing is the safest cross-brand default. Nike specifically advises against machine-washing its mesh and Flyknit shoes. |
| Water temperature? | Use cool or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water because heat can affect dyes, adhesives, foams, and shape. |
| Cleaner? | Use a small amount of mild laundry detergent, mild soap, or a shoe cleaner approved for the material. |
| Brush? | Use a soft-bristle shoe brush or clean toothbrush on the mesh. Save firmer brushing for durable rubber outsoles. |
| Can the whole shoe soak? | Usually avoid full submersion unless the manufacturer specifically permits it. |
| Dryer? | No. Air-dry at room temperature away from direct heat and strong sun. |
Skip bleach and harsh household cleaners unless the shoe manufacturer specifically approves them for that exact material. Nike warns that harsh chemicals and bleach can damage knit or mesh footwear, and ASICS recommends material-specific cleaners for suede, nubuck, leather, and waterproof breathable uppers.
Before the shoe gets wet, look at the upper closely. A sneaker described as “mesh” may also contain synthetic overlays, leather trim, suede panels, printed films, or bonded decorations. If one of those materials needs special care, clean that section according to its own instructions.
Remove the laces so you can clean the tongue, eyelets, and mesh underneath them. Taking the laces out also prevents dirty lace edges from rubbing grime back into a freshly cleaned upper.
Pull out the insoles only if they are designed to be removable. Foam sockliners can lose shape or take a long time to dry when saturated, so a lightly damp sponge or soft brush with mild soapy water is usually a safer starting point.
ASICS specifically advises cleaning sockliners separately and avoiding unnecessary soaking because water can affect the foam and shape. If the insole is glued in place, leave it inside the shoe and clean only the exposed surface.
If the shoes are muddy, let the mud dry first. Then use a soft brush to remove loose dirt from the mesh and a slightly firmer brush, if appropriate, for the rubber outsole. Tap the soles together outdoors or over a sink to release dirt trapped in the tread.
This dry-cleaning pass matters. Adding water to a layer of loose soil turns it into slurry, which can spread across light-colored mesh and settle deeper into the openings.
Mix a small amount of mild detergent into cool or lukewarm water. Massage the laces gently in the solution, paying attention to the sections that pass through the eyelets, then rinse until the water runs clear.
Nike allows laces to be hand-washed separately, and its guidance notes that laces should be air-dried rather than placed in a dryer. Do not reinstall damp laces; moisture trapped against the tongue and eyelets slows the shoe's drying time.
Make a fresh mild-soap solution. Dip the soft brush or sponge into it, then shake or squeeze out excess water so the tool is damp rather than dripping. Work across the mesh in small sections.
For knit-style uppers, Nike recommends brushing in the direction of the knit pattern and avoiding harsh scrubbing that can snag yarn. For ordinary engineered mesh, the same gentle approach is sensible: let repeated light passes do the work instead of pressing hard enough to deform the fabric.
Do not leave the shoe sitting in a bucket of water. ASICS' running-shoe guidance specifically cautions against fully submerging uppers because saturation can affect the materials and construction.
The outsole can usually tolerate more brushing than the mesh upper. Use the brush to work dirt out of tread grooves, but avoid dragging dirty outsole foam back across the fabric. For the midsole, use a soft cloth or brush and mild soap rather than an abrasive pad.
Once the upper looks clean, wipe it repeatedly with a clean damp cloth or sponge to lift away detergent. You do not need to flood the shoe under a faucet to remove soap. The goal is to leave the mesh clean without saturating the midsole, adhesives, and internal padding.
Press a clean towel against wet areas instead of twisting or wringing the shoe. Place plain paper towels or other absorbent, non-dyed paper loosely inside the toe box, or use a shoe tree, to help hold the shape as the shoe dries. Replace wet paper if necessary.
Let the sneakers dry at room temperature in moving air. Keep them away from a clothes dryer, radiator, heater, hair dryer, or other concentrated heat source. Nike and ASICS both warn that heat can damage shoe materials, and ASICS notes that high temperatures can compromise glues and alter shape. adidas likewise recommends air drying at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
Feel inside the toe box and around the heel padding before putting the insoles and laces back. Mesh may feel dry on the surface while internal foam remains damp. Reassembling too early can trap moisture and odor.
Once the shoes, laces, and removable insoles are dry, reinstall the insoles and lace the shoes normally. Check that the upper has returned to its usual shape and that no soap residue has left the mesh stiff or tacky.
A final visual check should show an even mesh texture, clean tread edges, and no chalky detergent marks. Minor permanent discoloration can remain after the dirt is gone; repeated aggressive scrubbing is more likely to damage mesh than to erase a stain that has already set into the fiber.
Start by repeating the mild-soap method rather than immediately switching to bleach. Nike's mesh-care guidance offers a baking-soda-and-water paste as an optional treatment for white mesh: apply it gently with a soft brush, following the direction of the mesh or knit, then remove it with a damp cloth. Because finishes vary, test any optional treatment on a small inconspicuous area first.
Let the shoe dry, brush away as much soil as possible, and then use the damp-cleaning method. If you wet thick mud first, you are more likely to push fine particles through the mesh and into the lining.
Clean removable insoles separately and make sure the shoe dries completely. Persistent odor often lives in the insole and interior lining rather than on the visible mesh. Avoid masking a damp shoe with fragrance; trapped moisture needs drying time.
Do not treat those areas as ordinary mesh. ASICS recommends specialized cleaners for leather, suede, and nubuck and a cleaner intended for breathable waterproof materials such as GORE-TEX. If the sneaker mixes materials, use the gentlest suitable method on each section.
Do not assume that “mesh” means machine washable. Nike says not to machine-wash its Flyknit or other shoes because the washer can damage delicate materials, and its product-care guidance recommends hand washing instead. ASICS also publishes detailed running-shoe guidance that favors hand cleaning and warns that full soaking can harm fabric and adhesives.
At the same time, some brand pages for specific categories may allow a delicate cycle as a fallback. That is exactly why the care label or model-specific instructions should decide. If the manufacturer does not clearly permit machine washing, hand washing is the lower-risk choice.
If those checks pass, the shoes are ready to wear. If the upper has changed color, the adhesive is lifting, the mesh is separating from an overlay, or the shoe feels misshapen after drying, stop cleaning and follow the manufacturer's support guidance for that model.
Missed a 2024–25 Self Assessment return? Learn how to check your filing duty, reactivate your existing HMRC account, and meet 2025–26 deadlines.
Started self-employment in 2025–26? Check whether you need Self Assessment, how to register with HMRC by October 5, 2026, and what to do before January 31, 2027.
Identify your sink stopper type, remove a lift-rod or push-pop stopper safely, clean it, and reinstall it without forcing the drain hardware.
Learn how to clean a leather jacket safely, when not to wash it, how to spot-clean smooth leather, dry it correctly, and know when to call a specialist.
Learn how to clean genuine suede safely, from dry brushing and erasing scuffs to controlled spot cleaning, air-drying, and restoring the nap.
Learn how to clean a Brita pitcher or dispenser correctly, what not to wash, how to prep Original vs. Elite filters, and how to judge the result.
Remove chewing gum from bed sheets safely with ice, gentle scraping, detergent pretreatment, washing, and a final check before drying.
Clean a bidet nozzle safely with this practical guide to self-rinse modes, gentle wiping, soft-brush cleaning, mineral buildup, and final spray checks.
Learn how to clean white running shoes by hand, when spot cleaning is enough, when machine washing is risky, and how to protect mesh, foam, and shape.
Learn when dishwasher cleaning may work for a baseball cap, how to reduce heat and shape risks, and when hand cleaning is the safer choice.
