Table of Contents
- What You’ll Need
- Step 1: Identify Your Shoes’ Materials and Weak Points
- Step 2: Remove Loose Dirt with a Dry Brush
- Step 3: Spot-Clean with a Cold-Water and Mild Soap Solution
- Step 4: Restore the Suede Nap and Eliminate Scuffs
- Step 5: Air Dry Correctly (This Step Saves Your Shoes)
- Troubleshooting: When Things Go Wrong
- What to Do Next: Keep Them Clean Longer
- People Also Ask
- Can I put New Balance shoes in the washing machine?
- How do I clean New Balance shoes without yellowing the white mesh?
- What’s the best cleaner for New Balance suede?
- How do I fix crunchy suede after cleaning?
- How often should I deep clean my New Balance shoes?
- Is it safe to use a magic eraser on the midsole?
- 🔍 Research Sources
You see that dirt on your 990s. ” Don’t. I’ve made that mistake — and the suede came out feeling like cardboard.
Learning how to clean New Balance shoes without ruining their construction; or rather, takes about 45 minutes of hands-on work plus patience while they dry. And the trend keeps going. A major factor. In the right order, and honestly, it’s less about elbow grease. And more about using the right tools. I’ll walk you through it.
TL; DR
- Always hand clean; machine washing destroys ENCAP and ABZORB foam midsoles and weakens the glue.
- Use a dry soft-bristle brush first, then spot clean with cold water and pH-neutral soap (7.0–8.0) on a cloth.
- Suede needs a crepe brush and suede eraser — not water — to stay fuzzy.
- Rinse thoroughly; leftover soap residue is the #1 reason white mesh turns yellow.
- Air dry for at least 24 hours stuffed with paper towels, away from heat and sunlight.
Key Point
- Don’t machine wash, ever. The heat and agitation will degrade the ENCAP midsole and loosen the glue.
- Suede requires an almost water-free approach; use a suede eraser and crepe brush.
- Rinse until all soap is gone — residual soap is what makes white mesh yellow within weeks.
- Stuff shoes with paper towels and air-dry for a full 24 hours, away from sunlight or heaters.
- A simple white pencil eraser works shockingly well on midsole scuffs.
What You’ll Need
So naturally, then again, you don’t need a pricey kit. About $15 in supplies covers most models, though suede-precise tools add $10 more. The total DIY cleaning cost stays well under $25, which is far cheaper than professional restoration. File that away.
You'll see why it matters in a bit.
Tools & materials
- Soft-bristle brush (a clean dry toothbrush works in a pinch)
- Suede crepe brush and suede eraser (for suede panels)
- Mild liquid soap with a pH between 7.0 and 8.0 (Jason Markk, or a drop of clear dish soap)
- Two microfiber cloths
- White paper towels (avoid printed ones that bleed ink)
- Shoe trees or crumpled kraft paper
- Cold water (under 30°C / 86°F) in a small bowl
**Time:**45 minutes active, plus 24 hours minimum drying.Skill level: Beginner.
Step 1: Identify Your Shoes’ Materials and Weak Points
Different New Balance models use pigskin suede (990), smooth leather (550), mesh-heavy uppers (574). Read that again if you need to. That's a significant gap. Or a mix of synthetics; your cleaning — I mean, method has to match or you’ll destroy the texture. It needs observation. Check the tongue tag and note.
Which panels are suede before grabbing any liquid.
But then again, pull out the laces and insoles to see where grime builds up. On mesh, pay attention to the toe box because dirt particles get trapped there.
Why does this matter? And turn into a muddy paste if you apply water first. For suede, remember it hates moisture.
Even a few drops can darken it or make fibers stiff; if you own a pair with heavy suede, like the classic 990 — you’ll benefit from reading our cleaning pigskin suede on the 990 guide before proceeding. But this is just one piece of the puzzle.
Step 2: Remove Loose Dirt with a Dry Brush
Before any moisture hits, brush off all dry dust. Dried mud, and surface grime from mesh and outsoles.
This stops you from pushing dirt deeper. When you switch to a damp cloth. Use a soft-bristle brush and short, sweeping motions; don’t press hard on suede, or you’ll embed particles (at least based on current observations) into the nap.
Still, this detail matters more than it might seem right now.
In most scenarios, work the brush around the midsole — and along the edges where dirt loves to wedge itself.
You'll want to pay attention here. For the 574’s combination uppers, a dry pre-cleaning is even more make-or-break. Because the mesh acts like a sponge for muck.
Check the soles too — pebbles stuck in the tread get ground into the (a detail a lot overlooked) rubber if left. After this step, the shoe should look visibly lighter.
Step 3: Spot-Clean with a Cold-Water and Mild Soap Solution
Arguably this is the step where most everyone go wrong by substituting bleach. Or heavy detergents, which oxidize white mesh into a permanent yellowish tint.
Wet one microfiber cloth in the solution, and let me tell you, wring it out until it’s just damp, and blot the stained spots.
On mesh, work outward so you don’t spread dirt. Rinse the cloth often in plain cold water.
For the suede portions, avoid direct water contact if possible; instead. And use a suede eraser and crepe brush per the next step, so if you’re cleaning a mesh-heavy model like the 530, check out our mesh-focused cleaning for the 530 for extra pointers on avoiding waterlogging.
“For suede New Balances, the goal is to use as little water as possible to avoid changing the texture of the hide.” — Jason Markk, Sneaker Care Expert
Step 4: Restore the Suede Nap and Eliminate Scuffs
Consider this practical perspective. After the suede areas are completely dry, use a crepe brush and suede eraser in gentle.
One-direction strokes to revive the fuzzy texture. Then attack sole scuffs with a plain white pencil eraser. This two‑stage approach turns crunchy.
Matted suede back into something you’d want to run your fingers over.
Consider this practical perspective. Plus, start with the crepe brush: brush lightly in the natural grain direction to lift flattened fibers. For stubborn dark spots.
Rub a suede eraser over the mark in the same direction. Don’t use water.
If you’re restoring suede on a premium model like the 990v5, you’ll notice the nap springs back faster when you follow the techniques in our restoring suede on the 990v5 article. For scuffs on the midsole, a clean.
White pencil eraser works magic; rub gently, then wipe away the eraser dust. Stick with me here; this pays off.
Step 5: Air Dry Correctly (This Step Saves Your Shoes)
At a high level, then again, never use a dryer, radiator, or direct sunlight, stuff the shoes with white paper towels, reshape them, and let them sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours. Kind of surprising, right? The New Balance Official Care team. I mean, confirms that heat can shrink rubber outsoles. So where does that leave us? Ruin cushioning systems like ENCAP and ABZORB.
Push paper towels tightly into the toe boxes to hold the shape. Precisely.
And wick moisture from the inside, so replace the towels after about 12 hours if they feel damp. So keep the shoes in a well-ventilated spot. Away from windows and heat vents.
Rushing this phase is why a bunch of people end up with warped internal boards.
“The heat from a dryer can actually shrink the rubber outsoles and ruin the cushioning technology.” — New Balance Official Care Team
Troubleshooting: When Things Go Wrong
The underlying point remains simple. In most scenarios, even careful cleaning can hit snags. Here’s how to fix yellowed mesh. Stiff suede, or weakened glue without making things worse.
- White mesh turned yellow after drying: Leftover soap residue oxidized. Rewash the mesh with a damp cloth and plain cold water — no soap — then air dry again. Rinse until the water runs clear.
- Suede feels hard and crusty: You used too much water. Once dry, brush the area vigorously with a crepe brush and a few passes of a suede eraser. If that doesn’t soften it, a very light mist of a suede renew spray can help.
- Glue separating or sole pulling away: This almost always traces back to a machine wash cycle. There’s no DIY fix for separated glue; you can try a sneaker repair shop, but prevention is the real lesson. Next time, stick to hand washing.
- Color bleeding from dark suede onto light fabric: This happens when water solubilizes dye. Blot immediately and stop applying moisture to the dark area. Use a specialized dye-lock waterproofing spray before the next clean.
- Midsole scuffs won’t budge: An old toothbrush with a dab of non-gel white toothpaste lightly scrubbed works, but test on an inconspicuous spot first. For rubber, a magic eraser is effective but may dull the finish over time.
What to Do Next: Keep Them Clean Longer
Apply a suede/nubuck protector spray, store with shoe trees. And rotate your daily wear to cut cleaning frequency by half. In reality, spot clean stains the moment they happen. And your New Balances will stay presentable for far longer. If you’re working with a chunky 9060.
The same protectant rules apply, see our guide on protectant sprays for the 9060 for model-specific pointers. At least, that outlines the core theory.
- Apply a suede & nubuck protector spray — adds a water-repellent layer that prevents stains before they happen.
- Insert cedar shoe trees — they absorb moisture and preserve the shape, cutting down how often you need to deep clean.
- Wipe soles with a damp cloth every 3–5 wears — keeps mud from baking into the tread.
- Spot-clean stains the day they occur — a quick dab with cold water and mild soap stops them from setting.
- Rotate your footwear — letting one pair rest 48 hours between wears reduces moisture buildup that feeds bacteria and odors.
People Also Ask
Can I put New Balance shoes in the washing machine?
Completely not. The spinning and heat break down ENCAP and ABZORB foam, weaken the glue. And turn suede into a stiff, crunchy shell. Always hand clean.
How do I clean New Balance shoes without yellowing the white mesh?
Rinse all soap out completely. Within a few weeks. Even microscopic residue oxidizes and yellows mesh.
Use clear, fragrance‑free liquid soap and cold water. Plus, then do a final pass with a plain damp cloth until no suds appear.
What’s the best cleaner for New Balance suede?
A suede eraser and crepe brush are must-have. More regularly than not, if a liquid cleaner is unavoidable, use a foam‑based suede cleaner and a suede brush — never water alone.
How do I fix crunchy suede after cleaning?
Once more or less 100% dry. That's a significant gap. Brush in one direction with a crepe brush vigorously. Then rub a suede eraser over the affected area. If that doesn’t soften it, lightly mist a suede renew spray and brush again. Patience is key.
How often should I deep clean my New Balance shoes?
A thorough hand clean every 10–15 wears keeps them fresh. Between deep cleans, spot treat stains immediately and brush off dry dirt — this prevents permanent discoloration and cuts deep‑cleaning sessions to every three months or so.
Is it safe to use a magic eraser on the midsole?
Looking at this from another angle. Within this context — it works — but with caution. Magic erasers are micro‑abrasive.
It needs observation. Can dull glossy finishes over time.
For occasional scuffs, it’s fine; don’t use it every week.
🔍 Research Sources
Verified high-authority references used for this article