How To Clean Hoka Shoes -

Are your Hokas in need of a good cleaning? Like most shoes they can get pretty filthy over time. Grab an old toothbrush and a few household cleaning products – it is time to make them look fresh again!

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How To Clean Hokas

Founded in 2009, Hoka One One (Oh-Nay Oh-Nay) turned the running shoe world on its head with groundbreaking designs. Originally built for ultramarathon runners, Hoka shoes provide incredible comfort and supper. But like all shoes they still face a universal problem: how will you keep them clean?

How Do You Clean Hokas At Home?

Whenever you clean Hokas, use a toothbrush or small brush to gently clean the exterior. This will produce a better result than harsh chemicals that can damage your shoes.
Hokas are made of leather and synthetic materials so when you clean them make sure to test the cleaning products on the different materials to ensure they do not damage the exterior of the shoe.
You should have a routine set in place to deep clean your Hokas frequently. Without a system in place, your Hokas can become extremely dirty.

The following steps will help you deep clean your Hokas. After you clean your Hokas, see our tips below for extending the life of your Hoka shoes.

What You Need:

Small Tub
Old Toothbrush/A Soft Bristle Brush
Dawn Dish Soap
Microfiber Cloth

Steps to Cleaning Dirty Hokas at Home

First, take your Hokas outside and gently knock them together to remove any loose dirt.
Remove the laces and pull the tongue forward to prepare them for a deep cleaning.
Pour a small amount of water onto your shoes and using that old toothbrush, agitate the dirt starting from the leather portion down to the sole of the shoe.
Next, put a cup of water into your plastic tub along with a few drops of dawn dish soap, and mix them together. Using the toothbrush, cover the shoes in the soapy water liquid.
Proceed to scrub the shoes in small circular motions, removing as much dirt and debris as possible.
Working from top to bottom, clean your Hokas thoroughly to ensure you are cleaning the entire shoe.
Rinse the brush often for best results.
Once all the dirt has been agitated with the toothbrush, use a damp microfiber towel to wipe away excess dirt and soap.
Once all the dirt is removed, dry the shoes with a towel and leave them out to dry. Avoid direct sunlight as that can cause yellow spots to appear on the leather.

How to Clean Hoka Laces

Restoring Hoka laces to their original glory is a very simple process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Dirty Hoka Laces
A Plastic Tub
Out White Bright

Cleaning Hoka laces is a simple process. Fill up a plastic tub with warm water and add a few drops of dawn dish soap. Place the laces in the mixture and let them soak for 15 minutes.
After the laces have soaked, run the laces through your fingers to eliminate as much dirt as possible. Rinse them in clean water, and if desirably clean, leave them to dry overnight.
For VERY STAINED LACES, fill up a plastic tub with 10 cups of water. Add one cup of Out White Bright, place the dirty laces in the mixture and let them soak for 5 hours.
1. Once they have soaked, rinse with clean water and your laces will be brand new again.

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How to Clean Yellow Hoka Soles

Maybe your Hokas are clean, but the soles have turned yellow. This is actually oxidation, which is a reaction that occurs between the rubber and oxygen in the air. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take. Checkout our in-depth guide here on how to clean yellow soles.

How to Clean & Prevent Yellow Stains On Hokas

If you are looking for one of the most effective ways to clean yellow soles or stains on Hokas, this method is one of the best we’ve found.

What You Will Need:

Baking Soda
White Vinegar
Soft Bristle Brush

Older Hokas will require this more than newer Hokas, but it’s never too early to start. The more often you do it, the less chance oxidation will have to build up.

In a small container, mix equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar until a watery paste is formed.
Using a toothbrush, work the paste into the sole of the shoe (or other impacted areas) in small circular motions.
After the entire shoe is covered in paste, allow it to sit for 10 minutes for the de-oxidation to occur.
Wipe the shoe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

How To Deodorize Hokas

If we are being honest, sometimes our shoes start to stink! Here’s how to deodorize your Hokas.

Option #1: Place a dryer sheet in each shoe, and let it sit for 24 hours. These dryer sheets will absorb any liquid that may be in the shoe, and help mask the overall odor. For the best result, do this multiple times within a few day period to eliminate as much stench as possible.

Option #2: Mix ¼ cup of baking powder, ¼ cup of baking powder, and ½ cup of cornstarch. Once the mixture is created, pour it into two cotton socks and place them in the shoes overnight. This will greatly improve the smell of your Hokas.

How to Clean Black Hokas

Black Hokas can be cleaned in the same way as white Hokas. To see these steps in detail, follow the same guide above for removing oxidation as well as how to do a deep cleaning at home.