The best trainer cleaner for white trainers is a gentle, purpose-made cleaning solution, applied with a soft brush and wiped off with a microfibre cloth. Skip the washing machine, bleach and direct heat. The right method then depends on what your trainers are made of: smooth leather, suede and mesh each need slightly different treatment, and suede should never get wet.
This guide covers what to look for in a trainer cleaner, how to clean trainers step by step, and the small habits that keep white trainers white for longer. It's the same approach we recommend for the Italian leathers, suedes and technical meshes on our own pairs.
What you need to clean white trainers
You don't need a cupboard full of products. A good kit covers four jobs:
- A gentle cleaning solution for leather, mesh and rubber soles. Look for a formula made for footwear rather than a household cleaner.
- Two brushes: a soft one for leather and mesh, and a stiff-bristled one for suede and for brushing off dry dirt.
- A microfibre cloth to lift away dirt and excess moisture without scratching.
- A protector spray to apply once your trainers are clean and dry.
A shoe cleaner kit bundles most of this together, which is usually cheaper and simpler than buying each item separately.
How to choose a trainer cleaner
Gentle beats strong
White leather and pale midsoles show every mistake. Harsh chemicals can strip finishes, dry out leather and leave yellow marks on rubber. A dedicated sneaker cleaner is designed to lift dirt without attacking the material underneath, so it's the safer choice for trainers you want to keep for years.
The brush matters as much as the liquid
Most of the cleaning is done by the brush. Soft bristles work cleaner into leather grain and mesh without scuffing. Stiff bristles are for suede and for knocking dried mud off the sole before you add any liquid.
Finish with protection
A protector creates a barrier that makes the next clean easier. Apply it to clean, completely dry trainers, ideally before you wear a new pair for the first time.
Our Cleening Kit
If you'd rather buy a trainers cleaning kit than piece one together, we developed the Cleens Cleening Kit for exactly this routine. It brings together a sneaker cleaner, a premium brush, a sneaker protector and an odour protector, and is developed using biodegradable materials. It's the kit we recommend for looking after your Cleens.
How to clean trainers step by step
This method works for most leather and mesh trainers. If your pair has suede panels, read the suede section below before you start.
- Remove the laces. They're easier to clean separately, and you'll reach the tongue and eyelets properly.
- Brush off dry dirt. Use a dry, stiff brush on the sole and a soft brush on the upper. Getting loose dirt off first stops you rubbing grit into the material.
- Apply the cleaner to the brush, not the trainer. A little goes a long way. Work in small circles, one section at a time.
- Wipe as you go. Use a microfibre cloth to lift the foam and dirt before it dries back on.
- Clean the midsole and outsole last. These are usually the dirtiest areas, so you won't spread grime back onto the upper.
- Dry naturally. Stuff the trainers with paper to hold their shape and leave them at room temperature, away from radiators and direct sun.
- Protect. Once fully dry, apply a protector spray and let it set before wearing.
Cleaning by material
Smooth leather
Leather responds well to a gentle cleaner and a soft brush. Avoid soaking it: too much water can mark the leather and weaken stitching. Wipe dry straight after cleaning.
Suede and nubuck
Suede needs a completely different approach. On our suede trainers, our care advice is strict: use only a stiff-bristled brush. Any liquid or shampoo can make the colour run, so don't try to wash suede in any way. Brush gently in one direction to lift dirt and restore the nap. This applies to suede uppers such as the Court Trainer and to the suede panels on the Aero Runner.
Mesh and technical fabrics
Mesh traps dirt in its weave. Use a soft brush with a small amount of cleaner, work gently, and blot with a cloth rather than scrubbing. Let it dry fully before you wear the trainers again.
Rubber soles and midsoles
Soles can take a firmer brush. Clean them last and wipe them carefully so dirty water doesn't run back onto a white upper.
| Material | What to use | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth leather | Gentle trainer cleaner, soft brush, microfibre cloth | Soaking, bleach, household sprays |
| Suede and nubuck | Stiff-bristled brush, used dry | Any liquid, shampoo or washing |
| Mesh and nylon | Soft brush, small amount of cleaner, blotting | Hard scrubbing, heat drying |
| Rubber soles | Firmer brush and cleaner, cleaned last | Bleach, which can cause yellowing |
How to keep white trainers white
Cleaning fixes the damage. These habits stop most of it happening in the first place:
- Protect before the first wear. A protector on a brand-new pair makes every future clean quicker.
- Deal with marks the same day. Fresh dirt lifts easily. Dried-in stains take far more work.
- Rotate your pairs. Giving trainers a day off lets them dry out fully between wears, which helps them keep their shape for longer.
- Store them out of the sun. Long exposure to sunlight and heat can yellow rubber and pale materials.
- Refresh the laces. Grey laces make clean trainers look tired. Swapping in fresh white flat laces or round laces is the quickest upgrade there is.
Common mistakes that damage trainers
Putting them in the washing machine
It's tempting, but the heat, water and tumbling can deform the shape, weaken glues and ruin leather and suede. We advise never putting Cleens trainers in a washing machine.
Drying them on a radiator
Direct heat dries leather out and can warp soles. Room temperature and patience give a better result.
Using bleach or household cleaners
Bleach and strong sprays can discolour materials and leave yellow marks, particularly on rubber. Stick to products made for footwear.
Wetting suede
Even a small amount of liquid can leave water marks or make dyed suede run. Keep suede dry and use a brush.
Trainer cleaning FAQs
Can you put trainers in the washing machine?
We don't recommend it for any of our trainers. Hand cleaning with a brush and a gentle cleaner is safer for leather, suede and mesh.
What's the best trainer cleaner for suede?
For suede, the best tool is a stiff-bristled brush used dry. Liquid cleaners can make the colour run on dyed suede.
How often should you clean white trainers?
Wipe off fresh marks as soon as you see them and give your trainers a full clean whenever they start to look dull. If you wear them every day, a quick routine every couple of weeks keeps the job small.
How do you clean trainer laces?
Remove them and hand wash them in warm water with a little cleaner, then let them air dry. If they've gone grey for good, a new pair of laces costs very little and makes the whole pair look newer.
Keep your Cleens looking new
White trainers stay white with the right trainer cleaner, a soft brush, a dry brush for suede and a few good habits. If you want everything in one place, our Cleening Kit covers cleaning, brushing and protecting in a single kit.
Choosing your next pair? Our guide to the Aero Runner vs Pulse Runner explains the differences in materials and care, or you can browse all Cleens trainers.