Co-authored by:
Charlie
Shoe Care Specialist
2025
how to clean adidas shoes, Shoelaces & Insoles
Clean your Adidas with common household cleaners to make them look brand new.
Article summary
- Remove the insoles and laces from the shoes.
- Wash the laces in the washing machine with like-colored clothes.
- Hand wash the insoles if necessary, or leave them with a thin layer of baking soda for 8 hours.
- Brush loose dirt from the bottom of the shoes with a toothbrush. Do not use a brush on the upper part of the shoe.
- Clean the shoes by soaking a cloth in a solution of 1 cup of water and 1 drop of detergent. Focus on stubborn stains. Blot the remaining solution with a clean cloth.
- Let the shoes air dry overnight.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Shoes
1 Shake off loose dirt from the shoes. Tap the bottom of the shoes to remove any dirt stuck to them. Do this outside or in an area where you don’t mind getting dirty. If stubborn dirt remains on the soles, use a hard object (such as a screwdriver) to gently scrape it off.
- You can also use an old toothbrush to remove dirt from the soles.
2 Use a toothbrush to clean dirt from the soles. Gently scrub the dirt with a toothbrush, moving it back and forth. However, avoid using the toothbrush on the upper fabric of your shoes, as this may damage the material. If needed, use a microfiber cloth instead.
- When finished, rinse the toothbrush and store it for future use.
3 Wipe the shoes with a cloth dipped in a detergent and warm water solution. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of laundry detergent to a bowl of warm water (240 ml) and dip a cloth into the mixture. Carefully inspect your shoes for deep stains. Using the cloth, clean the soles first, then move upward. Dip the cloth in the solution repeatedly and continue cleaning. Pay extra attention to deep stains and rub the cloth back and forth until they disappear.
- Avoid touching the collar of your shoes when cleaning the outsole to prevent dirt transfer.
- Use clear laundry detergent if your shoes are white.
4 Remove any remaining detergent from the shoes with a clean cloth. Rinse the cloth with clean water and wring out the excess. Then, use it to thoroughly wipe away any leftover detergent. If not removed, the detergent residue can dry on the shoes and make them look dirty again.
5 Let the shoes air dry overnight. You’ve completed the first step in cleaning your Adidas shoes, but drying them properly is just as important. Allow them to air dry in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. While this process takes time, it’s best to let the shoes dry overnight at room temperature.
- Avoid using direct sunlight or a dryer to speed up the drying process, as this can damage the shoes.
Washing Your Shoelaces
Cleaning shoelaces is important to keep your shoes looking good. While cleaning laces is easy, a few precautions and tips can help you become an expert in cleaning shoelaces. Although our site already provides detailed explanations on how to clean shoelaces, here are the basic steps for cleaning laces in “How to Clean Adidas Shoes.”
1 Remove the laces from the shoes. Taking them out makes cleaning easier. Usually, laces can be removed from all shoes, but if yours are not removable, use a cloth underneath them.
2 Use a mild stain remover on the lace stains. If you are using a spray bottle, spray the stain remover directly onto the shoelaces. Read the instructions that come with the stain remover to see if you should leave it on for a while.
- If you are using a liquid stain remover, gently rub it into the shoelaces with your fingertips.
3 Put the laces in the washing machine with your clothes. If the shoelaces are white, wash them with white clothing to prevent dye transfer. If they are colored, wash them with similar-colored fabric to avoid color bleeding.
- Wash the shoelaces using a regular laundry setting.
4 Hang the cleaned laces on a hanger, or lay them on a table or countertop to dry overnight. Avoid drying them in direct sunlight or in a machine, as they may shrink.
- Once the shoelaces are dry, put them back in your shoes.
treat insoles without washing
1 Remove the removable insoles from your Adidas shoes. Insoles are padded flaps attached to the inside of the shoe.
- If the insoles are not removable, clean them while they are still inside the shoe.
2 Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the insoles and leave them for 8–10 hours. Insoles absorb sweat, which creates moisture that leads to odor-causing bacteria. Baking soda helps neutralize odors. Use just enough to lightly cover the entire surface of the insole and leave it overnight.
3 Brush off the baking soda from the insoles before wearing your shoes. Brush or shake the shoes upside down to discard the baking soda in a dustbin or plastic bag, or take them outside and shake it out. Once the baking soda is completely removed, you can put the insoles back inside your Adidas shoes.
Things You’ll Need
You Might Also Like
Use a white shoe care spray every few weeks.
Always wash white shoes by hand, avoiding the washing machine.
To dry your shoes quickly, let them air dry, avoiding direct sunlight or a dryer.
On rainy days, choose other shoes instead of white ones.
Sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes to remove odors.
To keep your shoes looking like new, use a wooden shoe tree.
Use shoe polish to maintain the appearance of your shoes.
Store your white shoes in a shoe box or wardrobe.
References
- ↑ How to Keep Your Adidas Trainers Clean – Adidas
- ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
- ↑ How to Keep Your Adidas Trainers Clean – Adidas
- ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
- ↑ How to Soften Leather Shoelaces – Our Everyday Life
- ↑ How to Soften Leather Shoelaces – Our Everyday Life
- ↑ How to Soften Leather Shoelaces – Our Everyday Life
- ↑ How to Soften Leather Shoelaces – Our Everyday Life
- ↑ How to Keep Your Adidas Trainers Clean – Adidas
- ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
- ↑ How to Keep Your Adidas Trainers Clean – Adidas
About This Article
Co-authored by:
Charlie
Shoe Care Specialist
This article is co-authors: Charlie. Charlie is a shoe care expert in Los Angeles. Charlie has more than 20 years of experience in the e-commerce world, he has extensive experience in luxury product care. He is currently the Vice President of Bluetag’s Strategic Partnership, which helps customers find the product. Prior to Bluetag, he founded a dry cleaning and shoe care service, Butlerbox in Los Angeles, California.
Co-authors: 10
Updated: March 29, 2025