How to Clean Suede, White Sneakers & Boots

The short answer: match the method to the material. Suede and nubuck get brushed and spot-treated, not soaked. Fabric and canvas sneakers take mild soap and water, and go in the washing machine only if the brand says they’re machine washable. Smooth leather gets wiped, conditioned and polished. Whatever the shoe: brush off dry dirt first, and never dry it with heat.

• Check the material. The listing or the label inside the shoe tells you whether it’s suede, nubuck, leather, canvas or mesh.
• Let mud dry, then brush it off. Timberland and Skechers both say to remove loose dirt dry before adding any water — otherwise you push it deeper into the material.
• Stuff with plain paper, not newspaper. Both brands warn that newspaper ink can run and stain the shoe when it’s wet.
• Air-dry, away from heat. Skechers warns that radiators, heaters and hair dryers can warp shoes, shrink materials and melt the adhesives that hold them together. Never use a clothes dryer.

Suede and nubuck are both brushed leathers with a soft surface (the “nap”). Timberland’s method for suede:

1. Lightly brush off any loose dirt or dried mud.
2. Brush the whole shoe evenly with a wire or suede brush, going with the direction of the fibres, and focus on darker marks.
3. Rub stubborn scuffs with a suede eraser bar.
4. Finish with the brush to lift the nap again.

The aim is to dampen the area evenly so it dries without a ring. Dampen the area around the stain with room-temperature water, gently work the moisture in with a suede brush, then stuff the shoes with paper and leave them to dry somewhere well ventilated. Use a light hand — Timberland notes that rubbing hard can push the stain deeper.

Brush off the loose salt. Mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water, rub it into the mark with a soft cloth, wipe the residue away with a fresh cloth, then leave the shoes to dry overnight.

If the stain is still wet, blot it with absorbent paper. Sprinkle an absorbent powder such as talc over it, don’t rub it in, and leave it overnight. Brush it off the next day.

Timberland says the method depends on the material, so check yours first. The classic 6-inch boot is nubuck — the listings say “Wheat Nubuck” — so it gets the suede method above: let mud dry, brush it off, then brush the boot evenly with a wire brush and use an eraser bar on leftover scuffs.

For smooth leather Timberlands, use a soft cloth or sponge with warm, soapy water, dry them gently with a clean towel, then leave them to air-dry overnight somewhere well ventilated. Timberland says the eraser bar works on nubuck, leather and suede.

First, find out whether your pair is machine washable. Skechers marks its washable styles with a “Machine Washable” icon on the product page and box; if you can’t confirm it for your shoes, hand-wash them.

1. Take out the laces and insoles, and tap the soles together to knock off loose dirt.
2. Put the shoes in a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase.
3. Use a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. A few towels in the load help balance the machine.
4. Take them out and let them air-dry completely.

Mix a few drops of mild laundry detergent into warm water. Dip a soft cloth or brush in it and gently scrub the surface, then wipe away the soap with a clean, damp cloth. Don’t soak the fabric, and dry the shoes in the shade — Skechers notes direct sun can fade colours.

Skechers suggests a paste of equal parts baking soda and water: brush it gently onto the mark, leave it about 15 minutes, then wipe it off with a clean damp cloth. For a greasy scuff, use a single drop of mild dish soap in a bowl of warm water.

Leather sneakers are different again: use a cleaner made for leather on a soft cloth, then a leather lotion to keep it supple.

Dr. Martens’ own routine for smooth leather:

1. Work on some newspaper. Take the laces out and clean them separately.
2. Wipe the boots with a damp cloth, then dry them with a second cloth.
3. As part of a regular routine, apply a leather wax or balsam first (Dr. Martens uses Wonder Balsam or Dubbin) and let it dry — it keeps the leather smooth, moisturised and free of cracks.
4. Put a pea-sized amount of polish on the sponge and apply a thin coat over the whole boot, including the tongue, working into scuffs. Wipe off the excess.
5. For a sharp shine, buff with a brush (optional). Let each coat dry for about 15 minutes before adding another, then re-lace.

Dr. Martens suggests polishing every four to six weeks, or whenever the boots need a spruce-up.

Not by these brands’ methods: Timberland and Skechers both clean suede by brushing and spot-treating, with a cleaner made for suede.

Dampen the whole area around the mark with room-temperature water, work it in gently with a suede brush, stuff the shoe with paper and let it dry somewhere well ventilated.

Skechers says no — bleach and harsh solvents can discolour fabric and damage synthetic materials. Use mild detergent, or a baking-soda paste on stubborn marks.

Dr. Martens suggests every four to six weeks, or whenever they need it.