The Best Way to Clean HOKA Shoes

• After removing the laces and insoles, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub off dirt and grime from your HOKAs.
• Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of mild detergent and 1 cup (240 mL) of cold water, then dip a cloth into this solution to spot clean your shoes.
• After cleaning your shoes, stuff them with newspaper and let them air dry (out of direct heat and sunlight).

How to Clean Your HOKA Shoes

Remove the laces and insoles from your shoes. Removing the laces and insoles speeds up the washing process and gives your shoes a more thorough clean. To extend the lifespan of your HOKAs, clean them as soon as they get wet or dirty.

Wash the laces in the washing machine with mild detergent. Once you unlace your shoes, put the laces in the washer with the rest of your dirty laundry. Pour in a small amount of mild detergent, and set the load size accordingly. Wash the laces on the coldest setting, then remove them from the rest of your load to air dry. Pro tip: Stuff the laces in a sock or small mesh laundry bag so they don’t get tangled in the washing machine. If the laces have caked on dirt or grime, gently brush them with an old toothbrush before tossing them in the washer.

Scrub off excess dirt and grime with a soft-bristled brush. Over a trash can, tap the soles of your shoes together several times to shake off loose dirt and debris. Then, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any remaining dirt and grime. If your shoes are muddy, let them dry completely before cleaning them so the mud comes off easily in clumps. For caked on mud and grime, use quick, circular motions to scrub off stubborn spots. If you don’t have an old toothbrush to clean your shoes, use a small towel that you don’t mind getting dirty.

Wipe your shoes with a soapy mixture of water and detergent. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of mild laundry detergent into 1 cup (240 mL) of cold water in a small bowl. Dip a clean cloth into this solution, then work it into the dirty areas of your shoe until you see a lather. Use small, circular motions to clean the insoles and outer parts of the shoe, and periodically rinse the cloth in clean water to remove any dirty water from cleaning. Alternatively, use dish soap, hand soap, or dandruff shampoo if you’re out of detergent. If you only see small stains, dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the cleaning solution to spot-clean your shoes.

Remove any soapy residue with a clean towel. Dip a clean towel into cold, fresh water, then wring out the towel so it's not dripping wet. Rinse off the remaining soap lather from your shoes by patting them with the damp towel, then use a dry towel to remove any excess water. If your shoes are still dirty, repeat this process 2-3 more times until you’re satisfied.

Let your shoes dry overnight, away from direct heat and sunlight. Stuff them with newspaper to help keep their shape, and leave them in a room with good air circulation so they dry as quickly as possible. When they’re fully dry, put the insoles and laces back in. Pro tip: Deodorize your shoes by adding a dryer sheet or a light dusting of baking powder along with the newspaper stuffing. Do not leave your shoes outside or use a blowdryer to speed up the drying process—direct heat and sunlight can damage the glue in your shoes and cause them to fall apart.

Can you put HOKAs in the washing machine?

If you put your HOKAs in the washing machine, it may damage them. According to the brand, machine washing can loosen the glue and fastenings of your shoes (and cause them to age more quickly). Bleaching and machine drying your HOKAs can also damage them in the long run, so avoid using these methods if you want to preserve the lifespan of your shoes. If you need to clean them for an event, give yourself at least 24 hours to hand wash your HOKAs and let them air dry.

If you still want to machine wash your HOKAs, use a gentle cycle. Remove the insoles and laces from your shoes, then place your shoes and laces in a small mesh laundry bag. Pad out the drum in your washer with towels to protect your shoes, then pour in 1 cup (240 mL) of mild detergent. Turn the load size to “small,” choose the cool water setting, and set the spin mode to “gentle.” Let your shoes air dry to avoid long term damage. If you absolutely have to clean and dry your shoes in less than 12 hours, follow the steps above to wash them, then use the final “spin” setting on your washer to remove any excess water. Put your shoes in the dryer and use the “air dry” or “gentle” setting. However, try to save machine washing and drying for desperate times.

Cleaning Different HOKA Materials

Mesh Since mesh is so light and absorbent, it’s more vulnerable to fraying if you scrub too harshly. Follow the instructions from the first section to clean your mesh shoes, but use gentle dabbing motions when washing them with the soapy cleaning solution. Instead of scrubbing your shoes with a toothbrush, blot them clean with a soft towel. Pro tip: After you unlace your shoes, stuff a microfiber cloth into your shoes to absorb any liquid that seeps in during the cleaning process.

Suede or Nubuck These materials are made of “untreated” leather, meaning they’re more sensitive to moisture and heat. To wash your sneakers, blot them with a towel to ensure they’re fully dried, and use a special suede brush to clean any dirt and scuff marks. Dip the corner of a clean cloth into distilled white vinegar to spot clean any stains, then blot your shoes with a clean towel and let them air dry. If your shoes are still dirty, purchase a suede and nubuck cleaning solution or suede shampoo to remove tough stains or caked on dirt. Do not machine wash suede or nubuck HOKAs—they can get damaged in just one cycle.

Leather To clean leather shoes, follow the washing instructions from the first section, then pat them down with a dry towel. Leather shoes tend to smell over time, so try stuffing a dryer sheet, black tea bag, or a light dusting of baking powder in with the newspaper when you let your shoes air dry.

GORE-TEX® Product Technology Since GORE-TEX® is waterproof, submerge your shoes in water to clean them. Shake off any loose dirt and debris from first, then wipe away the remaining dirt with a towel. In a large bowl, combine a small amount of mild detergent with lukewarm water, and let your shoes soak in the solution for 5 minutes. Blot the excess moisture with a dry towel, then lie your shoes upside down with the tongue hanging out over a microfiber cloth to air dry. Let your shoes dry out of direct heat and sunlight, then apply an even layer of durable water repellent (DWR) spray after they’re completely dried. If you want to machine wash your shoes, place them in a small mesh laundry bag before putting them in the washer, and pour in a small amount of liquid detergent. Set your machine at a gentle cycle of 104 °F (40 °C) or lower, with a spin setting of 800 rpm or lower. Then, let your shoes air dry.

Canvas and Natural Fabrics If any parts of your HOKAs are made of natural fabric, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to spot clean those areas. Just mix together equal parts of baking soda and warm water, then dip your toothbrush into this paste and scrub your shoes. Use small, circular motions to remove stains and dirt, then wipe your shoes clean with a damp towel dipped in cold water.