The best way to clean white leather sneakers at home is gentle: take out the laces, brush off loose dirt, wipe the leather with a soft cloth and a little mild soap and water, clean the sole with a soft brush, then let them air dry away from heat. Don't soak leather sneakers or put them in the washing machine. Too much water and heat can dry out and crack leather.
Below are step-by-step instructions, what you'll need, and how to clean a worn-in pair like the Volterra Distressed Leather Sneakers without scrubbing away the aged look you bought them for.
This is general care guidance for smooth leather sneakers. Always check any care instructions that come with your shoes, and test any cleaner on a small hidden spot first.
What you need to clean leather sneakers
- A soft-bristle brush (a clean soft toothbrush works for small areas)
- Two soft cloths, ideally microfiber
- A bowl of lukewarm water
- A few drops of mild soap, such as gentle dish soap or a cleaner made for leather
- Plain paper or paper towels for stuffing the shoes while they dry
- Optional: a leather conditioner for after cleaning
How to clean white leather sneakers in 4 steps
Step 1: Remove the laces and dry-brush
Take the laces out so you can reach the tongue and eyelets. Then brush the whole shoe with a dry soft brush to knock off dust and dried mud. Doing this first means you won't rub grit into the leather when you add water. Tap the soles together outside to loosen dirt in the tread.
Step 2: Wipe the leather with mild soapy water
Mix a few drops of mild soap into lukewarm water. Dip a cloth, wring it out until it's just damp, and wipe the leather in small circles. Work one section at a time and rinse the cloth often. Then go over the shoe with a second cloth dampened with plain water to remove any soap, and pat dry.
The key is a damp cloth, not a wet one. Leather shouldn't be soaked.
Step 3: Clean the sole sidewalls gently
Dip the soft brush in the soapy water and scrub the rubber sidewalls with light pressure. Wipe away the suds with a damp cloth. On regular white soles, you can repeat this until they're bright.
On a distressed or aged sole, stop sooner. The worn-in look is part of the design. Aim to remove fresh dirt and mud, not the finish. Use light pressure, skip harsh scrubbing pads, and don't use bleach or whitening products.
Step 4: Air dry away from heat
Stuff the shoes loosely with plain paper to help them keep their shape and soak up moisture. Leave them to dry at room temperature, out of direct sun and away from radiators, heaters and hair dryers. Heat can make leather stiff and cracked. Replace the paper if it gets damp, and give the shoes until they're fully dry, often overnight, before wearing them.
How to clean the laces
Wash laces separately. Soak them in warm soapy water, rub them between your fingers, rinse and hang them to dry. Very dirty white laces are cheap and easy to replace if they won't come clean.
How to deal with common marks
- Mud: let it dry, then brush it off before you wipe. Wiping wet mud tends to spread it.
- Light scuffs on the leather: try a damp cloth with a drop of mild soap first, with gentle circles. Many marks lift with patience rather than pressure.
- Water spots: wipe the whole panel evenly with a barely damp cloth, so it dries in one even tone, then let it air dry.
- Grass and food stains: treat them as soon as possible with mild soapy water. Older stains may not lift completely.
- Odor inside the shoe: let the shoes air out between wears and remove insoles if they come out. Many people sprinkle a little baking soda inside overnight and shake it out in the morning.
If a stain won't move with mild soap and water, a cleaner made for leather is the next step. Test it on a hidden spot first.
What not to do with leather sneakers
| Don't | Why |
|---|---|
| Put them in the washing machine | Soaking and tumbling can damage leather, glue and shape |
| Soak them in water | Leather can dry out, stiffen or crack |
| Dry them with a heater or hair dryer | Direct heat can shrink and crack leather |
| Use bleach | It can discolor leather and strip a worn-in finish |
| Scrub hard with abrasive pads | It can scratch leather and remove an aged finish |
How to keep a worn-in look while keeping them clean
Distressed sneakers are made to look lived-in, so the goal is "clean," not "brand new." A few habits help:
- Wipe off spills and mud the same day, before they set.
- Clean the leather upper more often than the sole. A fresh upper with a worn sole looks intentional.
- Don't chase every mark on the sole. Small scuffs blend into the aged finish.
- Use a leather conditioner now and then, after cleaning, to keep the upper supple (test it on a hidden spot first).
How to store leather sneakers between wears
Good storage means less cleaning. Keep your sneakers somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, which can yellow white leather and dry it out over time. Don't pile shoes on top of each other, since that creases the toe box. A shoe tree or a little paper inside helps them hold their shape. If you're putting them away for a season, clean them first so dirt doesn't set in.
How often should you clean leather sneakers?
A quick dry brush or wipe after wearing them somewhere dusty or wet keeps most dirt from building up. A full clean like the one above every few weeks, or whenever they look dull, is enough for most people. Rotating between two pairs also gives each pair time to air out.
Want to pick your next pair? See our guides to wearing white leather sneakers and black leather sneakers, which show less dirt in the colder months.
The Volterra Distressed Leather Sneakers have a supple leather upper, an aged finish and a distressed rubber sole, in six colorways and US sizes 6 to 12. Browse more men's footwear or find outfits to wear them with in men's clothing.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put leather sneakers in the washing machine?
It's best not to. Soaking and tumbling can damage the leather and the shoe's construction. Clean them by hand with a damp cloth and mild soap.
What is the best thing to clean white leather sneakers with?
Mild soap and lukewarm water on a soft cloth, plus a soft brush for the soles. A cleaner made for leather is also a good option.
How do you clean leather sneakers without ruining them?
Use a damp, not wet, cloth, avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive pads, and let them air dry at room temperature away from direct heat.
How do you clean distressed sneakers?
The same way, but more gently on the sole. Remove fresh dirt with light pressure and skip bleach or whitening products so the aged finish stays.
How long do leather sneakers take to dry?
It depends on how damp they got and on the room, but leave them until they're fully dry, often overnight, before wearing them.
Should you condition leather sneakers?
An occasional leather conditioner after cleaning helps keep the upper supple. Test it on a small hidden area first.