How to clean leather sneakers
Short answer
Remove the laces, brush off dry dirt, then wipe the uppers with a cloth dampened with water and a drop of mild soap. Clean the rubber soles separately with a brush, let the shoes air-dry stuffed with paper away from heat, and finish the uppers with a little leather conditioner.
Ten minutes every few weeks keeps leather sneakers looking new.
Step by step
- Take out the laces and insoles if they are removable.
- Brush off dry dirt, including from the welt where upper meets sole.
- Wipe the uppers with a barely damp cloth and a drop of mild soap.
- Scrub the rubber soles with a brush and soapy water.
- Stuff the shoes with paper and let them dry at room temperature.
- Rub a thin layer of leather conditioner into the uppers.
Laces and soles
Wash laces by hand in warm soapy water. For scuffs on white rubber soles, a melamine sponge works well — on the rubber only, never on the leather.
What never to do
- Put leather shoes in the washing machine or tumble dryer.
- Dry them on a radiator.
- Use household cleaning sprays on the leather.
Frequently asked
Can leather sneakers go in the washing machine?
No. Water and heat can crack the leather and loosen the sole.
How do I keep leather sneakers clean?
Wipe them after wearing, clean the soles regularly and use a leather protector spray on the uppers.
By BAGONSA · Updated 29 September 2026