Knowing how to clean basketball shoes keeps your pair looking good and the materials in shape. The usual advice is to clean them by hand. This page follows Nike's shoe-care pages and Crep Protect's cleaning guide, and shows where they differ.

Short answer: Brush off the dry dirt, scrub gently with lukewarm water and a little mild laundry detergent or dish soap, blot dry and air dry at room temperature, which Nike says takes at least 8 hours for many shoes. Nike does not recommend machine washing. Materials differ, so check your shoe's care label first.

How to clean basketball shoes step by step

  1. Brush loose dirt off the outsole, midsole and uppers with a dry, soft-bristled brush (Nike).
  2. Take out the laces and insoles. Nike says to massage the laces with the solution, rinse and dab dry, and to clean the insoles with the same steps.
  3. Mix lukewarm water with a small amount of mild laundry detergent or dish soap. Nike warns that a lot of dish soap can discolour or strip natural oils from some materials.
  4. Clean the outsole and midsole thoroughly, then brush the uppers gently.
  5. Blot dry. Nike says rubbing can wear down the fabric.
  6. Air dry at room temperature, not in a dryer, and wear the shoes again only when completely dry.

Nike suggests cleaning every two weeks or when the shoes look dirty. Crep Protect suggests every 2-3 weeks for everyday-wear sneakers.

Leather, mesh or knit, suede: what changes?

  • Leather: Nike says not to scrub too hard, to avoid harsh chemicals on white leather, and never to use bleach on leather or suede.
  • Mesh and knit: Nike says to avoid hot water, bleach and harsh chemicals, to brush in the direction of the knit without snagging the yarn, then to pat dry and air dry.
  • Suede: Nike does not recommend hand-washing suede in soap and water, and says not to clean it when wet; use a suede rubber or pencil eraser for marks. Crep Protect says suede and nubuck can be cleaned with its Cure solution and a brush, using little water, and that dyed suede can bleed, so keep it dry.

On suede the two brands differ, so follow your care label, and test any cleaner on a hidden spot first (Crep Protect).

Can you put basketball shoes in the washing machine?

Nike does not recommend it. It says machine washing can harm delicate materials, dryer heat can deform shoes and bulky sneakers can damage the machine itself. Nike calls hand-washing the best way to make sure shoes are not accidentally harmed. The exception on its mesh page: laces in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle.

What are Crep Protect care products for?

In Crep Protect's words, its Cure solution is designed to tackle dirt and stains, and it foams once mixed with water, from just 3-4 drops. Its Cure kit guide: warm water in a container, dip the brush, add a small amount of Cure, brush in circles, wipe with a damp microfibre cloth and leave to dry.

Crep Protect Wipes have a smooth side for general cleaning and a textured side for tougher stains and midsoles. Crep Protect does not recommend them on suede or nubuck, and advises reapplying its spray once dry, because the Wipes remove it. See the Crep Protect care products.

FAQ

How do I clean white basketball shoes?

Use the steps above. Nike says to avoid harsh chemicals on white leather. For a stain, its care page suggests a paste of baking soda and water on a toothbrush, left for 10 to 15 minutes and wiped off. Check the label first.

How do I clean Jordans?

It depends on the material of your pair. Follow the leather, knit or suede notes above and the care label.

Can I use bleach on basketball shoes?

Nike says no bleach or harsh products on knit shoes, and no bleach on leather or suede.

Looking for a new pair? Browse our basketball shoes and read how to choose basketball shoes.

More to read: the Nike size chart and shoe size guide and basketball psi.

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Sources

The brand pages were read on 4 November 2026. Care advice can change, and your shoe's own care label comes first.