Your $150 Brooks running shoes are caked in mud, and you're panicking. Learning how to clean Brooks shoes properly can save you from expensive mistakes while preserving your investment in premium athletic footwear.

When you've invested serious money in premium athletic footwear, the thought of ruining them with the wrong cleaning method is terrifying. Many runners wonder how to wash Brooks shoes safely, and the good news is that proper cleaning actually extends your Brooks' lifespan, protecting that investment and keeping your feet happy mile after mile.

Whether you're dealing with everyday dirt or post-trail adventure grime, this Brooks cleaning guide will walk you through exactly how to clean your Brooks safely and effectively with no guesswork and no expensive mistakes.

Ready to give your favorite running shoes the TLC they deserve? Let's dive in.

What You'll Need to Clean Brooks Shoes

Before you start scrubbing, gather these basic supplies that won't damage your shoes. If you're wondering can you wash Brooks shoes safely at home, the answer is yes with the right tools and techniques:

• Mild Soap or Detergent

• Soft-Bristled Brush (or an Old Toothbrush)

• Clean Cloths or Paper Towels

• Lukewarm Water

• Baking Soda & White Vinegar (for Stubborn Stains).

How to Clean Your Brooks Shoes the Traditional Way?

Step 1: Preparing Your Brooks Shoes for Cleaning

Start by removing your laces and pulling out the insoles since this essential running shoe care step lets you clean every part of your shoes properly and prevents damage to these separate pieces.

Next, take your shoes outside or hold them over a trash can and tap the soles together to knock off loose dirt, pebbles, and debris.

This simple step prevents you from grinding dirt deeper into the material when you start scrubbing.

Set up your cleaning area near a sink with good lighting, and lay down some old towels to catch drips and protect your surfaces.

Step 2: Cleaning the Uppers

Mix a small amount of mild detergent with warm water in a bowl since you want sudsy water, not a thick soap mixture.

Dip your soft brush or cloth into the solution and gently scrub the upper part of your shoes using small circular motions. This athletic footwear maintenance technique works for all mesh and synthetic materials. For those specifically wondering how to clean white Brooks shoes, be extra gentle with white mesh as it shows dirt more easily but can also show damage from aggressive scrubbing.

For mesh areas, use light pressure and let the brush bristles do the work since mesh tears easily. If your Brooks have leather sections, wipe rather than scrub to avoid scratching the surface.

For synthetic materials, you can use slightly more pressure but still keep your movements gentle.

Work on small sections at a time, rinsing your brush frequently to avoid spreading dirt around.

Step 3: Cleaning the Outsoles

The rubber bottom of your Brooks shoes takes the biggest beating, so it needs special attention during the cleaning Brooks shoes process.

Start by using a stiff brush or old toothbrush to scrape away stuck-on mud and rocks from the grooves. Proper sole cleaning is crucial for maintaining your performance shoes and their traction capabilities.

Work the bristles deep into the traction patterns where dirt loves to hide. For stubborn mud, let it dry completely first, and then it'll flake off easier.

Mix your detergent solution a bit stronger for the soles since rubber can handle more aggressive cleaning.

Scrub in different directions to get every angle of those deep grooves clean. If you're dealing with tough stains or want to restore that grippy feeling, make a paste with baking soda and water, scrub it in, then rinse thoroughly.

Step 4: Clean the Laces and Insoles Separately

Your laces and insoles get the sweatiest and dirtiest, so they need their own cleaning session to get truly fresh. This specialized Brooks shoe cleaning approach ensures every component gets the attention it needs.

Toss fabric laces into a small bowl of soapy water and let them soak for 10-15 minutes, then scrub them between your hands or use a brush to work out ground-in dirt.

For insoles, hand wash them gently with the same mild detergent solution, paying extra attention to the heel and toe areas where odor builds up.

To tackle smelly insoles naturally, sprinkle baking soda on both sides and let it sit overnight to absorb odors, then brush it off before washing.

Never put insoles in the dryer. The heat can warp them and ruin the cushioning that makes your Brooks comfortable.

How to Clean Brooks Shoes with SneakERASERS

SneakERASERS dual-layered sponges are like having a toolbox in one product. The white side tackles tough stains and scuff marks, while the orange side handles gentle cleaning for delicate areas. This innovative Brooks running shoe maintenance tool simplifies the entire washing process for Brooks shoes without the risks of machine washing.

This means you don't need to juggle multiple brushes, cloths, and cleaning solutions like traditional methods require.

What makes them perfect for Brooks shoes is that they work with just water, so there's no risk of harsh chemicals breaking down your shoe's expensive materials or causing colors to fade.

The cleaning technology lifts dirt and stains without scrubbing hard enough to damage mesh or synthetic fabrics.

The sponges do the hard work for you, so you don't have to worry about using the right pressure or technique. Just wet the sponge and watch the dirt disappear.

Step-by-Step SneakERASERS Cleaning Method

1. Start by removing your laces and insoles just like any cleaning method, then lightly dampen your SneakERASERS sponge with clean water. It should be wet but not dripping.

2. Use the white side first on your Brooks uppers, gently wiping in small sections to lift everyday dirt and light stains.

3. Save the orange side for the tough stuff like scuff marks on the midsole or stubborn stains that won't come off with the white side. The orange layer is more aggressive, so use it sparingly on delicate mesh areas.

For the midsoles and outsoles, the orange side is your best friend since it'll remove those black scuff marks and ground-in dirt that make your shoes look beat up. This athletic shoe care method works particularly well on white midsoles that show every mark. When washing white Brooks shoes, this targeted approach prevents the yellowing that often occurs with harsh chemicals.

Work the sponge into the grooves of the outsole using circular motions, and don't be afraid to apply more pressure here since rubber can handle it.

Rinse the sponge frequently as it picks up dirt, and you'll see the grime transfer right onto the sponge instead of spreading around your shoe.

Using SneakERASERS SOAK for Brooks Mesh and Fabric Components

SneakERASERS SOAK is specially designed for the tricky mesh and fabric parts of your Brooks that regular cleaning can't handle well. This advanced shoe care solution penetrates deep without damaging delicate materials.

The gentle formula penetrates deep into mesh fibers without weakening them, lifting out sweat stains, dirt, and odors that get trapped in the tiny holes of the material.

Mix the SOAK solution according to the package directions, then dip a clean cloth into it and gently dab the mesh areas. Don't scrub or you might stretch the delicate fabric.

For heavily dirty fabric areas and laces, let them sit in the SOAK solution for 5-10 minutes before gently agitating with your hands.

The real power comes when you combine SOAK with your SneakERASERS sponge.

After letting the solution work its magic, use the white side of a damp sponge to gently wipe away the loosened dirt.

This one-two punch gets your Brooks cleaner than either product could alone, and it's still gentle enough to keep your expensive shoes looking new for years.

How to Dry Your Brooks Shoes Properly

Never put your wet Brooks shoes near heat sources like radiators, hair dryers, or direct sunlight. The high heat will shrink, crack, or warp the materials and ruin your expensive shoes. Proper drying is an essential part of performance shoe maintenance that many runners overlook.

Instead, air drying is the only safe way to go. After cleaning, gently squeeze out excess water with a towel, then stuff your shoes loosely with clean newspaper or paper towels to help them keep their shape as they dry.

The paper also soaks up moisture from inside, speeding up the process. Replace the paper after a few hours if it gets really soggy.

Set your Brooks in a well-ventilated area with good air flow, but away from direct heat or sunlight.

In normal indoor conditions, expect your shoes to take 24-48 hours to dry completely. Mesh shoes dry faster than leather ones, and thick midsoles take the longest.

If it's humid or cold, drying might take up to 3 days, so be patient. Your shoes aren't ready to wear until they feel completely dry inside and out, including the tongue and heel areas where moisture loves to hide.

Rushing the drying process will only damage your investment, so plan ahead and clean your Brooks when you have backup shoes to wear.

What NOT to Do When Cleaning Brooks Shoes

The biggest mistake you can make is throwing your Brooks in the washing machine. We recommend the same thing when cleaning any pair of tennis shoes. This aggressive approach violates every principle of proper Brooks athletic footwear care. While many people ask, “Can you machine wash Brooks shoes?” the answer is always no, since machine washing voids your warranty and destroys the shoe's structure.

The spinning and banging will break down the glue, warp the shape, and damage the cushioning that makes your shoes comfortable.

Plus, most shoe warranties become void the moment you machine wash them, so you'll be out of luck if something goes wrong later.

Never use bleach, harsh cleaners, or strong chemicals on your Brooks either. These products might seem like they'll get your shoes super clean, but they actually eat away at the materials, cause colors to fade, and can make the rubber brittle and prone to cracking. This caution applies to all quality athletic footwear, whether you're caring for New Balance sneakers or your Brooks runners.

Another common mistake is trying to speed up drying with heat sources like putting your shoes by a heater, using a hair dryer, or leaving them in direct sunlight.

Heat causes materials to shrink unevenly, which means your perfectly fitting Brooks could end up too tight in some spots and loose in others.

The glue that holds everything together also breaks down under high heat, leading to soles separating or uppers pulling apart.

Stick to gentle cleaning methods and patient air drying. Your shoes cost too much to risk ruining them by taking shortcuts.

How Often Should You Clean Your Brooks Shoes

How often you clean your Brooks depends on where you run and how dirty they get. If you're a road runner sticking to sidewalks and clean paths, a good cleaning every 2-3 weeks or after about 40-50 miles should keep them fresh. Regular Brooks footwear cleaning prevents long-term damage from accumulated dirt and sweat. For those with white Brooks, more frequent white Brooks shoe cleaning sessions may be needed since they show dirt more readily.

Trail runners need to clean more often, sometimes after every muddy or dusty run, because dirt and debris can work into the materials and cause damage over time.

Your nose and eyes are the best guides, though: if your shoes smell funky, look visibly dirty, or you can see mud caked in the grooves, it's definitely time for a cleaning session.

Regular cleaning isn't just about looking good. It actually makes your Brooks last longer and perform better.

Built-up dirt and salt from sweat can break down materials over time, while clogged outsole grooves reduce your traction and increase slip risk.

Clean shoes also breathe better, which means less moisture buildup and fewer odor problems.

Think of cleaning as cheap insurance for your expensive shoes: spending 15 minutes cleaning them regularly can add months to their lifespan and keep them comfortable mile after mile.

Most runners who clean their Brooks monthly get 500-700 miles out of them instead of the 300-400 miles that neglected shoes typically provide. The same maintenance principles apply to other running shoes since regular care extends the life of any quality athletic footwear.

When to Replace Your Brooks Shoes

No amount of cleaning can fix certain problems that signal it's time for new Brooks shoes. Even the best running shoe cleaning routine can't restore worn-out cushioning or damaged support structures.

Look for worn-down tread on the outsole where you can see the smooth rubber underneath the grippy pattern, holes or tears in the mesh that can't be repaired, or midsole compression where the cushioning feels flat and doesn't bounce back.

If the heel counter (the stiff part around your heel) is breaking down and your foot slides around inside the shoe, or if you notice the shoe tilting to one side when placed on a flat surface, cleaning won't help these structural issues.

Persistent odors that won't go away even after deep cleaning can also mean the materials have absorbed too much bacteria and moisture to be salvaged.

When the cushioning breaks down or the tread wears smooth, your feet, knees, and hips don't get proper support and shock absorption, leading to pain and potential injuries.

Well-maintained Brooks shoes typically last 300-500 miles, but runners who clean them regularly and rotate between pairs often get 500-700 miles before replacement.

Keep track of your mileage and pay attention to how your body feels during and after runs.

If you're getting new aches and pains, or if your shoes just don't feel supportive anymore, it's probably time to invest in a fresh pair, regardless of how clean you can get your current ones. Whether you're maintaining performance basketball shoes or your trusty Brooks runners, knowing when to replace them is just as important as keeping them clean.

Keep Your Brooks Running Strong

Now you know exactly how to clean Brooks shoes to maximize their lifespan and performance. Whether you choose traditional cleaning methods for thorough deep cleans or grab SneakERASERS for quick touch-ups, regular maintenance keeps your expensive investment performing like new for hundreds of extra miles.

Pick the cleaning approach that fits your routine, whether that's monthly deep cleaning sessions or quick post-run touch-ups with a handy sponge. Your feet (and your wallet) will thank you when those $150 shoes are still cushioning your miles long after other runners have moved on to their third pair. And if you're looking for tips on cleaning other athletic shoe brands like Hoka, the same careful athletic footwear maintenance approach will keep all your athletic footwear in top condition.

References:

Is it Possible to Sanitize Athletes' Shoes?" PubMed Central, National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc., 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4495438/

Systematic Review of the Role of Footwear Constructions in Running Biomechanics: Implications for Running-Related Injury and Performance." PubMed Central, vol. 38, no. 2, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7039038/