New Balance sneakers are a favorite among many fans.
However, especially with suede models, dirt tends to show easily, and many people have trouble caring for them.
In this article, we will explain in detail how to wash New Balance sneakers.
I will be explaining the process while showing you how to wash heavily soiled New Balance sneakers, so it should be very helpful in terms of what items to use and how to remove the dirt .
Please read through to the end as this will be helpful when maintaining your New Balance sneakers from now on.
If you want to see a video of the steps, it's also available on YouTube.
New Balance's main materials

New Balance sneakers are made from three main materials:
- Natural leather (brushed)
- Faux Leather
- Woven fabric (mesh)
We will explain the characteristics of each and their relationship with dirt.
Natural leather (brushed)
It has a brushed finish, giving it a soft, high-quality look and feel.
Examples include suede and nubuck, which have fine fibers standing on the surface, giving them a unique matte luster.
Not only does the pile become flat over time, but dirt also easily gets caught in the pile, making it difficult to remove severe stains by brushing alone.
Faux Leather
As the name suggests, it is an artificial material made to imitate natural leather, with a uniform surface and consistent luster and texture.
Due to the characteristics of the surface, this material is relatively resistant to light stains caused by moisture and dust.
However, although it is less likely to stain, dust will accumulate, so regular cleaning is necessary.
Woven fabric (mesh)
It is a lightweight material made of woven fibers and is often used for sports shoes such as running shoes.
On the other hand, due to its high water absorption, stains are easily accumulated and dirt can easily become serious because dust and other particles can easily get caught in the fibers.
New Balance Cleaning
The cleaning procedure is as follows:
- Inserting shoe trees
- Remove the shoelaces and soak them in cleaning solution
- Brushing
- Remove severe, localized stains with an eraser
- Remove dirt from the upper part with a cleaner
- Remove dirt from the sole with a cleaner
This time, we will be cleaning the New Balance sneakers shown in the thumbnail of this article following the steps above.
Inserting shoe trees

Before you start cleaning, put the shoe tree inside.
Putting a shoe tree in your shoes has the following effects:
- Removes creases from wearing
- The tension on the upper makes it easier to apply the brush, improving workability.
Both are important elements for cleaning, so be sure to use shoe trees that fit well.
Remove the shoelaces and soak them in cleaning solution

Not only does it get in the way when you try to brush the shoes, but dirt also accumulates on the shoelaces themselves.
Remove them from the sneakers and soak them in a small container of water mixed with cleaner. *A few pumps (around 5 pumps) of cleaner will suffice.
While the shoelaces are soaking in the cleaning solution, you can clean the sneakers themselves.
Brushing

Once that is done, we move on to the cleaning process.
First, brush without applying anything.
Remove any loose dust or dirt from the surface.
Use an eraser for heavy stains

Using a utility eraser, which is a sneaker eraser, Remove any stubborn dirt or stains first.
- For suede, nubuck, and other brushed materials, use a black eraser.
- White eraser for leather
Use the surface that matches the material to remove stubborn dirt that cannot be removed with a brush.
Remove dirt from the upper part with a cleaner

Let's start with the upper part.
Use a brush and special cleaner to remove dirt from the entire upper.
Instead of pressing the brush, imagine applying the entire tip of the brush.
This allows you to apply the brush to an area rather than a spot , resulting in more efficient cleaning.
Once the surface is thoroughly cleaned, wipe off the cleaner with a cloth.
If dirt remains at this point, repeat the "cleaner → wipe" process again.
Remove dirt from the sole with a cleaner
Once the upper part is clean, the next step is to clean the sole part.
The procedure is the same as for the upper part: brush with cleaner, then wipe.
Do this in the order of midsole, then outsole.
Cleaning complete

The left side of the photo is after cleaning, the right side is before cleaning.
Not only did the midsole turn white, but the entire upper became brighter and even stubborn stains on the mesh parts were removed.
Even with badly soiled sneakers like this, cleaning them using the right steps and products can bring them back to fairly good condition .
New Balance Aftercare
To keep your cleaning in good condition, we recommend the following aftercare:
- Moisturize with Moisture Mist
- Protect the outsole
- Apply waterproof spray
By doing these things, you can prevent the leather material from drying out and from getting dirty .
Moisturize with Moisture Mist

After cleaning, the leather loses its nutrients, Using shoe moisture mist will help prevent leather from drying out and restore its shine.
Here's how to use it:
- Shake the shoe moisture mist well.
- Spray all over from a distance of 15cm or more. *Be careful not to spray too close as this may cause stains.
- Press the cloth against the material to make it blend in
Once moisturized, we finish it using a method that suits the material.
(Leather material) Polish with a mouton mitt
After moisturizing, you can restore the leather's unique luster by polishing it with a mouton mitt.
Press your finger against the leather and if it feels moist to the touch, it's OK.
(Brushed material) Brass brush to adjust the hair flow
After moisturizing, use a brass brush to raise the nap of brushed materials such as leather and suede.

Gently brush the brushed areas with the brass brush.

By brushing with a brass brush, you can raise the fur and make it smooth as shown in the photo.
Protect the outsole
No matter how carefully you walk, the outsoles will eventually wear down.
The heel area is particularly prone to wear, so by applying the special protective sticker HEEL PLUS3.0, you can prevent the heel from wearing down.

Thoroughly apply the included Build Up Primer to the application area.

Attach HEEL PLUS3.0 to the heel.
Press firmly with your fingers to press it onto the sole.

Cut off any excess part of the heel with scissors and you're done.
Apply waterproof spray
Applying a waterproof spray will not only waterproof the item, but also prevent dirt from sticking to it by providing a stain-resistant effect.
The great benefits are that even if you accidentally spill a drink, the water-repellent effect will prevent stains, and the stain-resistant effect makes it difficult for dirt to adhere, making cleaning easier the next time.
After cleaning, be sure to spray it with a waterproof spray.
How to wash New Balance shoes FAQ

Can New Balance be washed?
If your sneakers are made entirely of cloth materials such as mesh, you can wash them completely using laundry detergent.
However, sneakers made entirely of fabric-based materials are quite rare ; most sneakers are made of a composite material that also uses leather-based materials.
When leather material absorbs water, the oils inside it are lost along with the moisture, leading to the following deterioration processes:
- Cracks
- Color fading
- Hardening
Also, if the adhesive used on the sole is water-soluble, not only will the adhesive become weaker when exposed to water, but it may also dissolve and stain the upper.
For the reasons mentioned above, it is safe to use sneaker detergent for cleaning.
Can I use Emeral or baking soda on New Balance?
As with the previous item, this is possible as long as the item is made entirely of cloth-based materials.
However, since there are generally many risks involved, we recommend using detergent specifically for sneakers.
Can I soak New Balance in Oxy?
It is absolutely not advisable to soak your sneakers in Oxy.
The sole (rubber part) and synthetic leather surface may melt.
Some people have actually soaked their sneakers in Oxy and had the surface melt or fall apart.
New Balance shoes often use cloth-based materials such as mesh in some parts, so it is easy to mistakenly assume that they are made of materials that can be washed with OxiClean.
However, as the risks are too great, be sure to clean your New Balance shoes thoroughly with detergent specifically for sneakers.