How to Clean Skechers Shoes and Keep Them Looking Brand New
Your Skechers take a beating from dirt, dust, and daily wear, and that grime does more than look bad. It slowly breaks down the materials and shortens the life of your shoes.
Regular cleaning protects the memory foam and cushioning systems that make Skechers so comfortable in the first place. With a simple care routine, you can keep them looking fresh and feeling like new.
Ready to protect your favorite pair step by step? Keep reading.
Do the Prep Work: Before You Clean Your Skechers…
Before you grab a brush or cleaner, check if your Skechers are marked as machine washable. Look for the "Machine Washable" icon on the product page, on the original box, or on the tag. If that symbol is missing, do not assume the washer is safe.
Different materials react very differently to water and soap. Fabric and mesh usually handle gentle cleaning well. Leather and suede can stain, dry out, or warp if you use the wrong method. This is especially true if you're wondering whether you can wash Skechers shoes in general—material identification comes first.
Materials matter. A scrub that works on knit sneakers can destroy suede in one afternoon. Take a moment to confirm what your pair is made of so you can match it with the right cleaner and tools.
Before you clean anything, pull out the laces and remove the insoles. This lets you clean all the hidden spots and helps everything dry faster and more evenly, which means less odor and less damage.
Gather the Supplies for Cleaning Your Skechers
To clean Skechers the right way, you only need a small toolkit: a soft-bristled brush, a couple of microfiber cloths, mild detergent, and lukewarm water for hand washing. Add one more thing for extra power: a shoe cleaner like SneakERASERS for scuffs and stubborn spots.
Whatever you use, keep it gentle and shoe safe. Strong cleaners can fade mesh, dry out leather, and make suede look fuzzy and sad instead of smooth. This principle applies to taking care of shoes in general, not just Skechers.
SneakERASERS is a dual-sided sponge that works on many shoe materials without heavy chemicals. You just wet it to activate the cleaning side, then let the smoother side finish the job. It is oddly satisfying.
Because it is small and portable, you can toss it in a bag and erase scuffs, stains, and dirt on all kinds of Skechers before they have a chance to settle in.
How to Machine Wash Your Skechers
Only Skechers with the "Machine Washable" icon should ever go in the washer. Check the product page, box, or tag first. If your pair is approved, pull out the laces and insoles, then place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase and tie it shut.
If you're asking how to wash Skechers safely, this step is critical: use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Do not add bleach, do not pick hot water, and do not throw other shoes in with them. Wash one pair at a time so colors stay true and materials stay calm. This same method applies if you're learning how to wash Skechers Slip Ins they need the same gentle treatment.
After washing, air drying is the only safe option. Shoes with Memory Foam insoles usually need about 10 to 12 hours to dry fully. Stuff each shoe with clean paper towels or newspaper to help it hold its shape and soak up extra moisture.
Let them dry in a cool, shaded spot. Avoid direct sun, radiators, or heaters, since strong heat can warp the materials and weaken the glue that holds everything together.
How to Hand Wash Your Skechers
Hand washing is the safest way to clean Skechers that are not marked as machine washable and for any delicate material. Mix a small amount of gentle detergent with lukewarm water to make a mild soap solution. Dip a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush into the mix, then scrub the surface in small circles, focusing on dirty Skechers areas.
For fabric, mesh, and canvas, keep the pressure light but steady, then use a separate, clean, damp cloth to wipe away all soap so it does not leave marks. After that, let the shoes air dry in a cool spot and ignore the urge to rush with heat. If you're dealing with muddy shoes or serious grime, take extra time with the scrubbing step.
Leather, suede, and nubuck need a different kind of kindness. For leather Skechers, use a leather cleaner or lotion on a soft cloth, wipe gently, then condition with leather lotion or oil now and then so the material stays flexible and does not crack. Spray a water proofer before wearing them in wet weather to block stains.
For suede and nubuck, start dry with a suede brush to lift dirt, then use suede or nubuck cleaner instead of regular soap so the texture stays soft and fuzzy, not flat and ruined. Finish with a protective suede spray so the next puddle has less power. For more guidance on maintaining white leather shoes, similar conditioning principles apply.
How to Clean Your Skechers Quick with SneakERASERS
SneakERASERS is your fast track for cleaning Skechers when you do not have time for full soap and water. Instead of mixing solutions and hunting for brushes, you just wet the sponge, squeeze out extra water, and gently swipe the stained or scuffed spots.
The dual-sided design gives you different textures to work with, so you can clear off simple surface dust on one day and attack more stubborn grime on another. This approach works whether you need a quick refresh or are tackling issues like scuff marks on shoes.
For tough stains like grass, mud, or street dirt, SneakERASERS really leans in. Work slowly over the stain, letting the sponge do the heavy lifting.
On scuff marks, skip the hard scrubbing that can damage the material. Use steady, controlled swipes instead, like erasing pencil lines. The goal is to lift the mark off the surface, not grind it deeper into the shoe.
How to Properly Store Your Skechers
Before you stash your Skechers, make sure they are fully clean and completely dry. Even a little leftover moisture or dirt can turn into mildew, smells, or permanent stains while they sit.
Store them in a cool, dark spot with good air flow, away from direct sun and heaters. That calm little corner helps the materials rest instead of cracking, fading, or warping between wears. Understanding how to store shoes properly extends their lifespan significantly.
For longer breaks, storage habits matter even more. Skip plastic bags and airtight bins, since shoes need to breathe or moisture gets trapped inside. Use the original shoe box or keep them on open shelves so air can move around them.
Add shoe trees or stuff them with clean paper to help hold their shape. Future you will be weirdly grateful when they still look and feel right.
What Should You Avoid When Cleaning Your Skechers?
The fastest way to ruin Skechers is to clean them the wrong way. Hot water, bleach, and strong chemicals can break down foam, weaken glue, and fade colors until your shoes look tired and old.
Washing styles that are not marked as machine washable can twist the shape, separate the sole, and wreck the structure completely. And never put Skechers in the dryer. The heat can warp the shoe, shrink materials, and crush the cushioning systems that are supposed to feel soft under your feet. This is especially important to remember if you're wondering whether you can wash light up shoes in the washer—electronics and heat are a dangerous combination.
Cleaning tools can cause damage, too. Abrasive brushes and scouring pads can scratch rubber, scrape fabric, and fuzz up mesh so it looks worn even when it is new.
Harsh chemical cleaners can strip away protective coatings and leave weird light spots or streaks on leather, suede, or knit.
Using products made for shoes, like SneakERASERS, gives you cleaning power without tearing up the materials. Same idea as using shampoo on hair and not dish soap. The right product keeps your Skechers clean and alive at the same time.
Keep Your Skechers Fresh with Smart Cleaning Habits
Before, cleaning your Skechers might have felt like guesswork, and dirt slowly ate away at the materials and comfort.
Now you know to check for machine-washable icons, match cleaning methods to each material, and always air dry so the foam and cushioning stay protected.
Regular touch-ups with tools like SneakERASERS keep grime from ever becoming a big project.
Your next step is simple: stock a few quality supplies, wipe shoes down after heavy use, and do quick inspections each week. A few minutes of care saves you hours of deep scrubbing and early replacements. Well-maintained Skechers look better, feel better, and stay with you much longer.
References
Shoe Service Institute of America. "Shoe Care for Consumers." Shoe Service Institute of America, 2020, https://www.ssia.info/consumers/shoe-care/.
University of Missouri Environmental Health & Safety. "Protective Footwear." University of Missouri, https://ehs.missouri.edu/program-areas/personal-protection/protective-footwear.