Love your Vessis, but nervous about washing them? Their waterproof knit and hidden membrane mean you can’t treat them like any regular sneaker, scrub them the wrong way, or you might clog the fabric or weaken the waterproofing. 

In this guide, you’ll learn simple steps to remove dirt, stains, and odors without ruining that water-beading magic, plus how a quick routine keeps them looking fresh for longer. 

Curious how to do it right? Keep reading and follow along.

You do not need a huge kit, just the right tools. 

Grab a soft-bristle brush to loosen dirt without scratching the knit. Use a mild, clear detergent so dyes and heavy scents do not clog the waterproof membrane. A microfiber cloth is for blotting and wiping, so you do not leave lint stuck in the fabric. Keep a soft toothbrush for tight spots like seams, toe edges, and around the logo. 

All of these work gently so the knit stays smooth and the waterproof layer keeps doing its job.

You can also use SneakERASERS as a fast cleaning sidekick. They come preloaded, so you can swipe dirt off soles and midsoles without mixing soap or hunting for a brush. Use them for quick touch-ups after a muddy walk, or for a deeper scrub on the rubber parts when they start to look tired. 

Traditional tools handle the knit and full wash days, while SneakERASERS save time when you just want your Vessis to look clean again, fast.

Plan on about 20 to 30 minutes of hands-on cleaning plus overnight drying for one pair of Vessis. Start by removing the laces so you can reach the tongue and eyelets, then use a soft brush to knock loose dirt off the outsole, midsole, and uppers, and check for stains that need extra love. 

Mix your cleaning solution in a small bowl: 1 cup cool water, 1 teaspoon clear mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, stirring until it stops fizzing. Clear detergent is best because heavy dyes and perfumes can leave residue that messes with the knit and the waterproof layer. 

If you are missing something, you can skip the vinegar or baking soda and still get a solid clean with just water and mild soap. 

SneakERASERS can stand in for this whole setup when you want a quick clean, especially on the soles.

Dip a soft brush or cloth in the solution and clean the uppers in small circles, working the mix into the knit grooves without grinding hard so the waterproof membrane under the fabric stays intact. 

For stubborn spots, tap on a thicker paste of baking soda and a few drops of vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub it off. Rinse by wiping with a cloth dipped in cool, clean water instead of holding the shoes under the tap, which helps remove all soap without flooding the inside. 

Keep wiping until you see no more suds or dull film on the surface. Let your Vessis air dry at room temperature, away from direct sun, heaters, and hairdryers, because high heat can warp the knit and weaken the glue. 

If water got inside, stuff the shoes with dry newspaper and swap them out as they get damp so they dry faster while still keeping their shape.

SneakErasers can make the process of cleaning Vessi shoes quicker, easier, and less messy. While they are considered a quick method, they are also efficient in their cleaning ability. 

If you want clean Vessi soles in under three minutes, SneakERASERS are built for that job. They are small, dual-layered, pre-moistened sponges made for sneakers. The white side swipes away everyday dirt, scuffs, and gray film on soles and midsoles. The orange side is softer and better for tougher marks on more sensitive spots. 

They clean with a gentle, chemical-free foam that will not attack Vessi’s waterproof knit or hidden membrane. They also fit in a bag or glove box, so you can fix dirty soles long before they turn into zombie shoes.

To use them, take out the laces, brush off loose dirt, then wet the sponge until it feels evenly damp. Use the white side in small, gentle swipes on the soles and midsoles, then flip to the orange side for any stains that refuse to leave still use that gentle swiping motion. 

Wipe off leftover foam with a clean cloth and let your Vessis air dry at room temperature. This whole routine usually takes 2 to 3 minutes, instead of the 15 to 20 minutes needed for a full soap and water clean. 

Use SneakERASERS for fast touch-ups and road grime. Save the traditional method for deep cleaning the uppers and laces. Using both together gives you the easiest long-term care for your Vessi shoes.

Use SneakERASERS SOAK when your Vessi mesh or knit uppers start looking dull, stained, or a little suspicious. SOAK is made for fabric and knit, and is gentle enough for Vessi’s waterproof knit, so it cleans the surface without messing with the membrane under it. 

Think of it as the upper cleaner that works with your regular SneakERASERS sponge. The sponge keeps soles and midsoles bright. SOAK handles the soft stuff so your whole shoe gets cleaned, not just the bottom.

To use it, mix SneakERASERS SOAK with water exactly as the bottle says. Dip a soft brush or cloth into the mix and work it into the mesh or knit in small circles, just firm enough to lift dirt but not grind the fibers. 

When the uppers look clean, rinse by wiping with a cloth dipped in cold water until no solution remains. Let your Vessis air dry at room temperature, away from heaters or direct sun, so the shape and waterproofing stay steady.

Washing Vessi shoes in the machine is only safe for Weekend Sneakers, so treat every other model like a “nope” for machine wash. 

Take out the insoles and laces, put the sneakers in a mesh laundry bag, and wash them alone on a cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent. No bleach, no fabric softener, and never use hot water.

After washing, let them air dry at room temperature and skip the dryer completely. Light colors like white or beige will show dirt and scuffs faster, so expect to wash those pairs more often if you wear them a lot. If you're dealing with particularly stubborn stains on white Vessis, check out how to clean white sneakers without the mess for additional tips.

Start by cleaning your laces in a small bowl of warm water mixed with a few drops of mild detergent. Swish them around, then rub the laces between your fingers to lift dirt, especially near the tips where grime likes to hide. 

For laces that look like they lost a fight with a puddle, soak them in a SneakERASERS SOAK mix instead, following the product directions until the water turns cloudy and gross in a very satisfying way.

Insoles need their own spa day. Mix mild detergent with warm water, dip a soft toothbrush in it, and scrub the top and sides of each insole in short strokes to remove sweat stains and odor-causing buildup. For more detailed guidance on tackling insole odors and stains, see our guide on how to clean shoe insoles.

Rinse them by wiping with a clean, damp cloth, not under a faucet, so they do not soak through. Lay laces and insoles flat on a clean towel at room temperature and wait until they are fully dry, with no cool or damp spots, before slipping them back into your Vessis.

Skip the washing machine for every Vessi except the Weekend line, or you can damage the glue, stretch the knit, and weaken the waterproof membrane. Your shoes are built to fight rain, not spin cycles. 

Avoid bleach, strong stain removers, and heavy or yellow-tinted detergents, since they can stain the knit, dry out rubber, and leave residue that clogs the fabric instead of cleaning it.

Stay away from any heat when drying. Clothes dryers, radiators, fireplaces, and blasting them with a hairdryer can warp the shape, crack glue, and age the materials fast. Room temperature air is boring, but it works. 

Also, SneakERASERS and SneakERASERS SOAK are not made for suede. Vessi does not usually use suede, but if you ever try them on another pair, stick to rubber, mesh, knit, and fabric only.

When it comes to cleaning Vessi shoes, frequency matters just as much as technique. If you wear them daily in the city, a light clean once a week and a deeper clean every month is usually enough. Trail walks, mud, or spilled coffee means cleaning them the same day. 

Watch for clues like dirt that no longer wipes off, stains around the toe, bad smells, or water that stops beading on the surface. Those are all “do it now” signals.

At the same time, do not scrub them hard after every tiny mark, since constant deep cleaning can wear down the knit and glue. Spot clean small scuffs, then save full uppers and insole cleaning for when they truly look or smell tired. 

Keeping a SneakERASERS sponge in your bag or car makes quick wipe downs easy, so your deep cleans can be less often and less intense. For additional preventive care strategies, explore how to make shoes last longer.

Before, cleaning your Vessis might have felt risky, scrubbing knit, guessing at soaps, and hoping you didn’t wreck the waterproofing. 

Now you’ve got two clear paths: the classic soap-and-water routine for deep cleans and SneakERASERS for fast touch-ups on the go.

Use both to your advantage: traditional methods when your shoes need a reset, SneakERASERS for weekly wipe-downs that take minutes.  Whether you're learning how to clean Vessi white shoes or maintaining darker colors, the same gentle approach applies.

Pick the mix that fits your lifestyle, stay consistent, and your Vessis will look sharp and keep beading water for the long haul.

"Proper Footwear Care and Maintenance." American Podiatric Medical Association, www.apma.org/patients/foothealth.cfm?ItemNumber=1523.

"Textile Care and Cleaning Guidelines." Cornell University College of Human Ecology, www.human.cornell.edu/fsad/outreach/laundry/design/fabriccare.cfm.