How To Clean New Balance Shoes

Are your new balance shoes looking rough after one too many outings? Like most shoes, new balances get filthy over time. Luckily, they are easy to clean. Grab an old toothbrush and a few household cleaning products – it is time to make your new balance shoes look fresh again!

How To Clean New Balance Shoes

New Balance makes some of the most popular shoes on the market that are known for their high comfort and well-thought-out designs. Although they are fantastic shoes, people are always left asking the question…how do you clean new balance shoes?

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How Do You Clean New Balance Shoes At Home?

Whenever you clean New Balance shoes, use an old toothbrush to gently clean the canvas and synthetic materials. This will always produce a better result than harsh chemicals and will help preserve the New Balances.
New Balance shoes are made almost exclusively of synthetic leather, canvas, and leather, so make sure when you clean them to test the cleaning products on the different materials.
You should have a routine set in place to deep clean your New Balance shoes frequently. Without a system in place, your shoes can become quite gross.

The following steps will aid you in the deep cleaning process of your New Balance shoes and restore them to pristine condition. This process will also give your New Balance shoes a longer life. Once your shoes are cleaned, follow the steps below to protect them over time.

What You Need:

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

Steps to Cleaning Dirty New Balance Shoes at Home

First, take your shoes 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 New Balance shoes 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 New Balance Shoe Laces

Restoring Nee Balance shoe laces to their original glory is a very simple process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Dirty New Balance Laces
A Plastic Tub
Out White Bright

Cleaning New balance shoe 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 them with clean water and your laces will be brand new again. If your laces are damaged beyond repair, you can purchase new shoelaces here.

How to Clean Yellow New Balance Soles

Maybe your New Balance shoes 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 New Balance Shoes

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

What You Will Need:

Baking Soda
White Vinegar
Soft Bristle Brush

Older New Balances will require this more than newer models, 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 New Balance Shoes

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

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 New Balance shoes.

How to Keep Your New Balance Shoes Clean

The last thing you want to do after cleaning your New Balance shoes at home is to do it again soon after.

Whether you’re rocking New Balance shoes or any other sneaker you care about, you should always use a spray sneaker protectant.

These sprays create a barrier that is difficult for stains to penetrate which keeps your shoes looking fresh. Once your shoes are clean, consider one of our favorite shoe protectants below to keep your shoes looking fresh for longer.