Mud-caked Saucony shoes can feel like a badge of honor after a strong run. But letting dirt and grime sit too long can break down materials and shorten the life of your favorite pair.

In this guide, you'll learn a simple, step-by-step hand-cleaning method based on Saucony's care recommendations — plus a faster option using SneakERASERS for quick sole and midsole touch-ups. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes with basic household supplies.

Ready to bring your shoes back to race-ready condition? Keep reading.

To clean most Saucony shoes safely, start with the essentials so you do not improvise with something that will absolutely not work — and potentially make things worse.

Here's what you'll need:

• Soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush

• Clean cloth or sponge

• Mild detergent or dish soap

• Warm (not hot) water

• Newspaper or paper towels for drying and shape support

Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and strong cleaners, and skip abrasive tools like stiff wire brushes or rough scouring pads. Those can break down adhesives and damage uppers made from mesh, nylon, or polyester.

Optional extras, if you want faster results: SneakERASERS for quick sole and midsole cleanup without chemicals, SneakERASERS SOAK for a deeper clean on mesh and fabric, and a deodorizing spray if odors stick around after the shoes are fully dry.

Do not spray deodorizer into a wet shoe. That is how you make a damp smell with confidence.

Knowing how to clean running shoes properly starts with understanding what the manufacturer recommends. This hand-clean routine works for most Saucony shoes with nylon, mesh, or polyester uppers, and it usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. 

Hand cleaning is the method Saucony recommends — so do not toss them in the washer like a science experiment. If you just ran in them, let them cool down and dry slightly first. Hot, fresh-sweat shoes are clingy, and the dirt sticks harder.

Take out the laces and any removable insoles so you can clean everything without missing the gross parts. Wash laces and insoles by hand in warm water with a small amount of mild soap, then lay them flat to air dry.

For a deeper clean on fabric laces, you can soak them using SneakERASERS SOAK. Removing laces and insoles also helps the shoes dry faster and more evenly after you clean the main shoe.

Before you use water, tap the soles together over a trash can or outside to shake off dried mud, gravel, and loose dirt. Use a dry soft-bristle brush to sweep debris out of the outsole grooves and off the upper fabric.

This step matters because if you start scrubbing while loose dirt is still sitting on the surface, you can end up pushing that grit deeper into the mesh or nylon. Instead of cleaning the shoe, you might actually grind the debris into the fabric and make it look worse without meaning to.

Mix warm water with a small amount of mild detergent, then dampen a cloth or soft brush. Gently scrub the upper in small circular motions, then scrub the midsole and rubber outsole, paying extra attention to grooves where mud likes to hide.

Rinse your cloth or brush often, then wipe the shoe with a clean, damp cloth to remove soap so residue does not dry into the material.Afterward, air dry at room temp, away from direct heat.

Wipe down the entire shoe with a clean, damp cloth until all soap residue is gone — especially along seams and around the midsole where suds hide.

Then air-dry only. Never use a dryer, direct heat, or set shoes on a radiator, because heat can damage adhesives and warp cushioning.

Stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper or paper towels to absorb moisture and help them keep their shape, place them in a well-ventilated area at room temperature, and swap the paper after a few hours if the shoes are very wet.

If your Saucony soles or midsoles look grimy, SneakERASERS are a faster way to clean rubber — especially white parts that show scuffs and gray streaks fast.

They’re dual-layer sponges designed to clean effectively without the need for harsh chemicals. The white side easily handles everyday dirt, dust, and scuffs that build up from regular wear. 

Meanwhile, the orange side is made for tougher stains and works better on more delicate surfaces that require a slightly different texture. Together, they give you a simple, mess-free way to keep your shoes looking fresh.

They’re small enough to toss into a gym bag or backpack, so you can do quick touch-ups whenever you need to. Whether it’s before a race, after a sweaty workout, or between full cleanings, they’re perfect for bringing your shoes back to life. 

They’re especially handy when your sneakers look like they just lost a fight with a parking lot and need a fast refresh before you step out again.

Run it under water or dip it in a bowl, then squeeze out the extra water. No soap needed. Warm water can help with stubborn scuff marks.

Use the white side first and short, gentle swipes with light pressure along the rubber sole and midsole.

Flip to the orange side when marks are tougher or when the midsole surface feels more delicate and needs the other texture.

You should see a clear before-and-after, especially on white midsoles that tend to turn yellow or gray with regular use.

Finish by wiping the cleaned areas with a dry cloth. Because this uses minimal water and no soap, drying time is short — which makes it handy for race-day prep or a quick pre-run refresh.

Most Saucony running shoes use mesh or fabric uppers, which slowly soak up sweat, dust, and whatever the sidewalk hands you. SneakERASERS SOAK is meant for a deeper clean on those absorbent materials, especially mesh uppers and fabric laces.

Think of it like a bath for the parts that act like sponges. It targets built-up grime without needing harsh chemicals or a washing machine that loves to chew on shoe glue.

The basic process is simple: mix the SOAK solution with water, soak the mesh uppers or fabric laces, gently agitate with your hands or a soft brush, then rinse and air dry at room temperature.

This pairs well with SneakERASERS on the soles and midsoles. Together, the eraser handles scuffs and rubber dirt, and the soak handles the sweaty fabric parts — so the whole shoe gets cleaned without going full apocalypse on the materials.

If you want to stock up or try different formats, the SneakERASERS shoe cleaning kit bundles everything you need for a full clean in one place.

Here's what to avoid if you want your Saucony shoes to stay glued together and not turn into sad noodles.

A lot of people ask: can you put running shoes in the washing machine? Technically, some shoes survive it — but for Saucony running shoes, it's a bad idea. 

Can you wash running shoes in a machine? The agitation can crush cushioning, stress stitching, break down glue, and warp the shoe's shape. It is like putting your shoes in a tiny hurricane.

Heat and hot water: Heat can weaken the adhesive that bonds the sole to the upper. Hot water also pushes materials and glue in the wrong direction over time.

Bleach or harsh chemical cleaners: These can discolor fabrics, degrade mesh, and weaken materials, especially with repeated cleaning. The shoes may look "brighter" while quietly getting worse.

So, can you put trainers in the washing machine? Or shoes in the washing machine in general? 

For most quality running shoes — and especially Saucony — hand washing is always the safer, smarter choice. Washing running shoes by hand takes a little longer but keeps them performing longer.

Odor in Saucony shoes usually comes from sweat sitting in warm, damp fabric long enough for stink-causing bacteria to party.

For a simple fix, sprinkle baking soda inside each shoe, leave it overnight, then shake out the excess before you wear them. It works by absorbing moisture and smells. Do not be shy — but do not pour in half the box unless you enjoy crunchy footsteps.

If the smell keeps coming back, use a shoe-specific deodorizing spray that targets the bacteria behind persistent odors.

For prevention, remove the insoles after each run and let both the insoles and the shoes air out fully before the next wear. Give them space, room temperature air, and time. Trapped shoes get weird fast — like a gym bag with secrets.

Cleaning your Saucony shoes matters because dirt and sweat do not just look gross — they slowly mess with how the shoe works. 

Grime can clog mesh and nylon, so the upper breathes less, which traps moisture and heat. Sweat and dirt also grind into seams and fabric like tiny sandpaper.

And the cushioning — including PWRRUN — performs best when the shoe structure stays stable and not warped or stressed by buildup and bad drying habits.

Regular cleaning helps the shoe last longer and keeps its shape and support, which saves money if you run often. Cleaner uppers usually breathe better, so your feet feel less swampy, and the shoe feels more consistent during a run.

Support also holds up better when materials are not overloaded with grit and dried sweat. Your shoes are equipment, not a trash can with laces.

Want to go deeper on this? Check out this guide on how to make shoes last longer for more strategies to extend the life of your footwear.

Rotate two pairs. Switching between two pairs of Saucony running shoes gives each pair time to dry fully between runs, which cuts down stink and slows wear.

Do a 30-second wipe after runs. Use a damp cloth to wipe the upper and the midsole edge before dirt dries in and becomes harder to remove. This is one of the easiest running shoe care habits you can build.

Keep SneakERASERS in your gym bag. Quick scrubs on the sole and midsole right after a run help stop scuffs and grime from building up into permanent gray sadness. Not sure how long do SneakERASERS last? Check out this breakdown to get the most out of every sponge.

Store them like equipment, not decor. Keep shoes in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight — the sun can fade colors and long exposure can stress materials over time.

Your Saucony shoes start out looking bright and springy, then sweat and dirt move in, making them look tired. A quick hand clean with mild soap and warm water gets you back to a fresh, race-ready look without beating up the materials.

For the fast lane, SneakERASERS can clean soles and midsoles in minutes, so scuffs do not get comfy. Keep the rules simple and non-negotiable: No washing machine, no direct heat, and always air dry.

Build a tiny post-run routine — even a quick wipe and an occasional deeper clean — and your shoes stay fresher, more supportive, and ready to rack up hundreds of miles without falling apart like a cheap costume.

References

[1] Run Trails. "Cleaning Sneakers Guide." Run Trails, 3 Jan. 2023, runtrails.org/cleaning-sneakers-guide.

[2] Proud to Run. "Can You Wash Running Shoes in the Washing Machine? (Tips for Cleaning)." Proud to Run, proudtorun.org/running-shoes-in-washing-machine/.