The only exception is if your shoes have an absorbent material like canvas, mesh, or suede. In this case, let caked on mud dry so that you can brush the dirt off with a stiff brush, then start cleaning. Otherwise, you’ll just smear the mud further.
Avoid harsh detergents or chemicals, bleaches, or abrasive cleaners. Remove the shoelaces before you get down to cleaning the shoes. You can clean them separately with the same solution.
Scrub a bit more aggressively in a circular motion on stubborn stains. If desired, add a tiny dab of plain white toothpaste to your dampened cloth or toothbrush.
Do not use a clothes dryer, hair dryer, radiator, or other artificial heat source. This could cause shrinking or cracking. [5] X Research source The insides of the shoes should still be dry; but if they are a bit damp, stuff some newspaper inside while they dry. [6] X Expert Source Marc SigalShoe Care Specialist Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
Make sure the shoes are completely dry. Remove any crumpled newspaper from inside and check. Place the shoes into individual, large zip-close bags. If you have access to desiccant packets (like those silica gel packs that probably came in the original shoe box), place one in each bag before sealing them.
You can also make a paste by putting a few spoonfuls of baking soda into a bowl, then stirring in a small amount of water until you reach a toothpaste consistency. Pick out pebbles or dirt caught in between the shoe treads with a toothpick and/or a stiff, dry brush.
Add a small dab of plain white toothpaste to the fingertips of your first and middle fingers, then dip them in warm water. Rub the leather in a circular motion, then wipe away the toothpaste and dirt with a damp cloth. Dry the surface with a clean cloth, then let the leather air dry overnight.
You can, however, get canvas a bit more wet and scrub it a bit more aggressively if needed to remove stubborn stains. If the canvas gets saturated, blot or squeeze it with a dry towel, stuff newspapers into the shoes, and let them dry overnight.
If the shoelaces are frayed or overly worn or dirty, it’s best to just replace them. [9] X Research source
You could try throwing them in the washing machine, but you run the risk of them being damaged; hand washing is safest. For overnight deodorizing, you can also dry putting a dryer sheet inside each shoe.
In reality, your shoes will probably make it through a wash cycle just fine. However, only you can decide if you’re willing to take the risk that “probably” entails.
Remove insoles and shoestrings before starting the wash. You can wash them along with the shoes.
Since you’re being a risk-taker anyway, go ahead and throw the shoes in the dryer afterward as well. But don’t get too wild — put the dryer on its low heat setting.
