Are your favorite Hoka running shoes looking more like mud-caked hiking boots? Here's the thing: those cushioned soles that make your runs feel like you're bouncing on clouds won't last forever if you're tossing them in the washing machine. 

Hoka actually warns against machine washing, and for good reason – it can break down the materials that give you that signature comfort.

The good news? Proper cleaning doesn't have to be a weekend project anymore. With the right approach and modern cleaning tools like SneakERASERS, you can keep your Hokas performing like new without spending hours with complicated kits or harsh chemicals.

Ready to learn the insider secrets you need to clean your Hoka shoes? Let's dive in.

What You'll Need to Clean Your Hoka Shoes

There are two ways you can clean your Hokas: the traditional way and the SneakERASERS way. We’ll go over both. If you prefer to go the old-fashioned route, here’s what you’ll need. 

Traditional Cleaning Materials:

• 1 tablespoon mild detergent or dish soap

• Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush

• Microfiber cloths

• Paper towels or newspaper

• Small bowl for cleaning solution

• 2 tablespoons baking soda (for odor removal)

Modern Cleaning Solutions:

If you want something that can clean your Hokas in seconds, try SneakERASERS. They’re Dual-layered, pre-moistened sponges designed for quick and effective cleaning of sneaker soles and midsoles

How to Clean Your Hoka Shoes: The Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Preparing Your Hoka Shoes

Before you start restoring your Hoka shoes, you need to get them ready. 

First, remove the laces and pull out the insoles when they detach easily. 

Shake your shoes vigorously to eliminate any loose dirt, pebbles, or debris stuck inside. 

When your shoes are covered in wet mud, allow them to dry completely first -- wet mud just smears around and creates a bigger mess. 

Learning how to clean your muddy shoes properly ensures thorough cleaning without damaging your shoes.

Step 2.1: Cleaning Your Hokas the Traditional Way

Cleaning Hoka shoes is similar to cleaning On Cloud shoes. You need to focus on getting the uppers, midsoles, and outsoles to account for all marks. Keep reading below to learn more.

Cleaning the Upper (Mesh and Synthetic Materials)

Start by mixing 1 tablespoon of mild soap with 1 cup of warm water in a bowl. Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the soapy water and carefully clean the upper part of your shoes. 

For stubborn stains that won't come off, use an old toothbrush to work on those spots – but apply light pressure so you don't harm the fabric. 

After cleaning, wipe everything down with a damp cloth to remove the soap. 

When your Hokas have mesh sections, be particularly cautious not to apply too much pressure since mesh can fray and tear easily.

Cleaning the Midsole

The midsole is the thick, cushioned part of your Hoka that gives you that bouncy feeling when you run. 

Use the same soapy water you prepared earlier, but this time grab a soft-bristled brush instead of a cloth. 

Methodically clean the midsole area, paying special attention to any dirt or stains that have built up in the cushioning. 

The midsole can get pretty grimy, especially around the edges where it meets the ground. After you've removed the accumulated grime, wipe the whole area clean with a damp cloth to remove any leftover soap.

Cleaning the Outsole

The rubber bottom of your shoe can handle more aggressive treatment than the rest of your Hoka. Feel free to apply firmer pressure here with your brush to extract stubborn dirt and debris that's stuck in the grooves. 

Really work at any pebbles or gunk that's embedded in the rubber treads – this buildup can affect how well your shoes grip the ground. 

Once you've loosened everything, rinse the outsole with clean water to wash away all the dirt and soap.

Method 2.2: How to Clean Hoka Shoes with SneakERASERS

Step 1: Prepare Your Hokas

Just like with the traditional approach, you'll want to get your shoes ready first. Extract the laces and remove the insoles when they come out easily. Shake your Hokas thoroughly to eliminate any loose dirt, rocks, or debris that might be rattling around inside.

Step 2: Clean Soles and Midsoles with SneakERASERS

SneakERASERS make restoration super simple because they come with two different sides for different jobs. 

Use the white side for regular dirt, scuffs, and grime on white midsoles -- this side handles most everyday messes. If you’re struggling with cleaning the soles, read our guide on how to get scuff marks off your shoes. It’ll help with those frustrating marks you can’t seem to get out. 

When you encounter more challenging stains or need to address sensitive surfaces, flip to the orange side instead. 

Work the sponge using 5-10 small swipes as you clean. The most convenient aspect is that you only need a little water to activate its cleaning powers. 

As you clean, you'll notice the sponge gradually disappears like a pencil eraser. That's how you know it's working effectively.

Step 3: Clean Upper Materials

For the upper part of your Hokas, stick with the white side of your SneakERASERS and use moderate pressure as you clean. 

When your shoes have synthetic components, you can restore them quite easily with light swiping motions. 

However, should your Hokas have mesh sections, you need to be extra cautious. Like traditional cleaning methods, we recommend using detergent solutions to clean the uppers instead of a cleaning brush or eraser.

Our SneakERASERS SOAK handles delicate uppers that you’ll find with most Hoka shoes. Simply place your shoes in our SOAK detergent for anywhere between two hours to overnight.

Afterwards, air-dry until all moisture is gone and you’ll be ready to go!

Step 4: Final Touch-ups

After you've addressed the main areas, grab a SneakERASER sponge for the detail work. These smaller wipes are perfect for getting into tight spots like around the eyelets where your laces go through, or other hard-to-reach areas that the bigger sponge can't handle well. 

They're also great for quick touch-ups when your shoes just need a little freshening up between your deeper cleaning sessions.

Proper Drying Techniques

After restoring your Hokas, you need to let them air-dry completely – never put them in the dryer or near heaters, radiators, or other heat sources since this can warp the construction and mess up the shape. To help your shoes maintain their form while drying, stuff them with paper towels or old newspaper to fill out the interior. Find a spot with good air circulation (near an open window or fan) but away from direct sunlight, which can fade the colors and crack some components. Plan to wait at least 12-24 hours for your shoes to dry completely in normal humidity, and potentially longer during humid conditions or if they got thoroughly soaked during restoration.

Washing Machine Guidelines (If Necessary)

Even though hand washing works better and is safer for your Hokas, sometimes you might need to use the washing machine. Should you decide to machine wash, use the gentlest cycle with cold water and put your shoes in mesh laundry bags to protect them from getting banged around. Never put your Hokas in the dryer afterward – the heat will ruin them. Here's a useful trick from Hoka: when your shoes are taking forever to dry, you can put them back in the washer and run just the spin cycle to remove extra water, which helps them dry faster naturally.

Cleaning Laces and Insoles Separately

Don't forget about your laces and insoles – they need attention too. Soak your laces in soapy water for at least 20 minutes to loosen up all the dirt and sweat that builds up over time. For fabric laces that are heavily soiled, try using SneakERASERS SOAK for a deeper clean that gets out stubborn grime from porous materials. For the insoles, wash them carefully with mild detergent and warm water, but remember that insoles don't last forever. You should replace them every 3 to 6 months with regular running, since worn-out insoles can affect your comfort and foot support.

Odor Removal Tips

When your Hokas are starting to smell funky, there are several tricks to freshen them up. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda inside each shoe and let it sit overnight – it absorbs bad odors naturally. For more persistent smells, wipe down the interior with a cloth dampened with white vinegar, which kills the bacteria that cause stink. The most effective way to prevent odors is to let your shoes air out completely after every run or workout instead of stuffing them right back in your closet. You can also use specialized shoe deodorizing sprays when the natural methods aren't doing the trick.

Special Care for Different Hoka Models

Should you have Hoka Cliftons or other shoes with mesh uppers, you need to be particularly cautious during restoration. 

As we mentioned above, mesh is delicate and can fray or tear easily with excessive pressure. When cleaning running shoes with similar mesh construction, the same gentle approach applies. 

For mesh materials, your best option is SneakERASERS SOAK or a custom detergent solution, which can penetrate the porous fibers without the risk of damaging them through aggressive treatment. 

Remember, knit and mesh uppers can only be cleaned effectively with SneakERASERS SOAK since traditional sponges aren't designed for these porous materials.

Synthetic Materials (Bondi Series)

Hoka Bondis and other shoes with synthetic construction are much easier to restore since synthetic surfaces can handle more pressure. SneakERASERS work great on these components – you can use either the white side for regular restoration or switch to the orange side for more challenging stains. These non-porous uppers respond beautifully to gentle swiping motions with your SneakERASERS.

What NOT to Do When Cleaning Hokas

Several restoration mistakes can seriously harm your Hokas, so it's important to know what to avoid. 

Never use bleach on your shoes since it causes the fabric to age quickly and can leave ugly discolored spots that won't come out. 

Don't put your shoes near direct heat sources like radiators, hair dryers, or heaters to speed up drying – the heat can warp the shape, crack the components, and break down the cushioning that makes Hokas so comfortable.

While machine washing might seem convenient, don't make it a regular habit since frequent machine washing can break down your shoes faster than hand restoration. 

Avoid soaking your Hokas for extended periods since too much water can weaken the adhesive that holds everything together and cause components to separate. 

When Should You Replace Your Hoka Shoes

Even with perfect maintenance, your Hokas won't last forever, and there are clear signs when it's time to buy a new pair instead of trying to restore the old ones. C

heck the bottom of your shoes first – when the tread pattern is worn down smooth or nearly gone, your shoes won't grip the ground properly anymore, which can be dangerous. 

Press down on the midsole cushioning with your thumb, and if it doesn’t bounce back to its original shape, the foam has broken down and won't protect your feet and joints like it should.

Look for any structural issues like holes in the upper fabric, separation between the sole and upper, or cracks in the midsole that go all the way through. 

These problems can't be fixed with restoration and will only get worse over time. Most Hokas last between 250 to 500 miles, depending on how often you use them, your running style, and the surfaces you run on. 

For regular runners logging 20 miles per week, expect to replace your shoes every 3 to 6 months, even with excellent care and maintenance.

Related: SneakERASERS vs. Soap & Water

Keep Your Hokas Running Strong

You've been putting off cleaning your Hoka shoes because it seems like such a hassle, and you're worried about harming those expensive shoes with the wrong technique. 

With the right approach, your Hokas can look and perform like new again, giving you that cloud-like cushioning for thousands more miles. 

SneakERASERS especially shine for busy runners who need quick, effective results without the risk of harming their investment. As the instant sneaker cleaner trusted by millions, SneakERASERS understands that you want the easiest way to keep your shoes looking like new. 

Your Hokas work hard for you. Return the favor with proper care, and enjoy that satisfying moment when impossible scuff marks disappear in seconds.