How to Clean Mesh Shoes?

Do you have lovely mesh shoes that get dirty often, and you want to know how to clean them?

The porous material of mesh shoes is vulnerable to dirt. Small holes are also present on its surface that give a suitable environment to stains and grime.

The plus point is that you can clean them with care. You will find multiple washing methods on the internet, but not all are effective. But don’t worry! Because I have tested all the techniques on my stained shoes and simplified which are best.

Let’s proceed!

Hand wash method: remove laces, make a detergent solution, dip a brush, and scrub. Wipe the soap with clean water and air dry them in a cool place.
Washing machine method: put your shoes in the mesh bag and place it in the washer, mixing detergent and water. Clean them on a delicate cycle.
Cleaning white mesh shoes: mix one tablespoon of OxiClean in warm water and rub it on the footwear surface.
Colored mesh shoes washing method: scrub the mild laundry detergent water on colored shoes with a toothbrush.
Cleaning black mesh sneakers: use soapy water to rub the black shoes and wipe the excess with a clean fabric.

Methods to Clean Mesh Shoes

Here I will explain excellent and suitable cleaning methods for mesh shoes:

Washing mesh shoes manually
Using washing machine
White mesh shoes cleaning
Washing colored mesh shoes
Black mesh sneakers cleaning

1. Washing Mesh Shoes Manually

Required Things

Disinfectant cleaning wipes
Dish detergent
Soft toothbrush
Microfiber cloths

Step 1. Make a Cleaning Detergent

First, I added one tablespoon of dish detergent to the warm water. Then I stirred the cleaning agent for a while to dissolve completely. Avoid using bleaching product as it damages the shoe surface in an unthoughtful way.

Step 2. Remove Laces

Secondly, I removed the kickoffs and put a clean cloth inside the shoe to absorb excess water and to provide resistance while brushing the shoes. You can also use a paper towel if a clean cloth is unavailable.

I recommend using microfiber cloth because it is well known for its excellent absorbing feature.

Note: if the laces are not clean, soak them in soapy water to get rid of the dirt. Use a soft brush for scrubbing the laces.

Step 3. Scrubbing

Next, I wiped the outer dirt of the shoe with a soft brush. Put light pressure on the mesh shoes if you want to extend their life, and hold the brush perpendicularly to the footwear surface.

Step 4. Washing

After that, I dipped a soft clean cloth in the cleaning mixture, rubbed it circularly, and put very light pressure.

Scrub the stained areas for a longer time to get rid of all the extra grime and dust. Also, I frequently rinsed the fabric in warm water to wipe all the dirt.

Step 5. Rinsing

When I finished washing mesh shoes with a detergent, I dipped the cloth in the water bowl and squeezed it to remove excess water.

Try to scrub the cloth again to ensure that all the soap is wiped away. Squeezing is beneficial to remove the extra residues of soap in the fabric, so don’t forget this step.

Step 6. Cleaning Midsoles

Once I rinsed my shoes, I used disinfecting cleaning wipes to wash the midsoles. The shoes’ middle side can handle bleach’s effects, unlike the upper surface.

These wipes are easily available in the nearby store. I cleaned my shoe bottoms with these wipes. Pay full attention while cleaning.

Don’t ever use these wipes on the top of your shoes. If these wipes are unavailable, you can use a paper towel by putting drops of bleach on it. Magic eraser item is also helpful in cleaning, and you can buy them from any department store.

Step 7. Air Drying

In the final step, I placed my shoes in a shady place. Don’t put them in the garage or basement because they don’t have enough airflow. Make sure to find a shady outdoor location for drying.

When they were dried after one day, I tied the laces again. You can also use the fan for quick drying.

2. Using a Washing Machine

Required Things

Elastic band
Sock
Pillowcase
Electric household fan
Rags

Step 1. Remove Kickoffs

As my shoes had laces, so I removed them for easy cleaning. Then I put them in a sock to clean them separately from shoes but in the same cycle. To tie the sock, I used an elastic band to make it tight.

Step 2. Stuff Shoes

To protect my charming mesh shoes from damage in the washer, I bought a mesh bag and stuffed them in it. You can also place them in a pillowcase but ensure that it fits well for your shoe size. Then I tightened the bag with a rubber band.

You can put three to four pairs of shoes in a pillowcase but don’t make it too tight. Remember that the washing machine method is not suitable for all types of shoe materials.

Step 3. Place Them in The Washer

Once I stuffed my shoes, I placed the sock of laces and mesh bag of shoes in the washing machine. To prevent the bag from striking the machine wall, I placed the rags with them. Finally, I filled the cup with laundry detergent in it.

Step 4. Wash on A Delicate Cycle

Next, I spun the machine button on the delicate cycle and switched its button on to start. The light cycle protects shoes from stretching and decreases agitation.

Step 5. Air Dry

A dryer machine can damage the material of mesh shoes. Before placing them in a shady place, I removed the laces from the sock and the shoes from the bag.

When they were dried entirely, I tied the laces of my mesh shoes again and started to walk.

3. White Mesh Shoes Cleaning

Required Things

Oxiclean
Warm water
Soft-bristled brush
Clean water

Step 1. Make a Solution

To make a detergent solution, I poured one scoop of OxiClean and warm water into the bowl and stirred until it was completely dissolved.

Step 2. Soak Shoes and Scrub

Then, I soaked my mesh shoes in OxiClean solution for thirty minutes and began to scrub them with a soft brush. I moved the brush from the toe side to the heels.

Step 3. Rinse and Dry Them

Afterward, I rinsed the soap bubbles with plain water. Lastly, I put them in ventilated place for drying.

4. Washing Colored Mesh Shoes

Required Things

Mild laundry detergent
Clean water
Sponge
Towel

Step 1. Make a Detergent

I made a detergent solution for cleaning mesh shoes by mixing detergent and water in a bucket.

Step 2. Scrub

Next, I used the sponge to scrub my colored mesh shoes. Rub the brush gently and keep doing it until all the dirt is removed.

Step 3. Rinse

To remove soap residues, I rinsed my charming shoes under clean water.

Step 4. Dry

Finally, I wiped my shoes with a dry towel to remove the dripping water. Then I let them air dry.

Note: Using color-free detergent to protect the shoes from color bleeding is better.

5. Black Mesh Sneakers Cleaning

Required Things

Soapy water
Clean cloth
Bucket
Brush

Step 1. Wet the Cloth

First, I wet the clean fabric in soapy water and rubbed it on my shoe’s surface.

Step 2. Brush

Then I took a toothbrush and dipped it in a solution. Once I dipped it, I gently scrubbed it on the mesh part of the shoe and moved it in a regular pattern.

Step 3. Clean Shoe Tread

I took a container to wash the shoe tread and filled it with water. Afterward, I wet the cloth in water and started to scrub the underneath of the shoes. Lastly, I left my cleaned mesh shoes in a cool and ventilated spot for drying.

Precautions

It’s time to explain some factors that you have to keep in mind while cleaning mesh shoes.

Abrasive and harmful cleaners can crumble the material of mesh shoes, so avoiding such cleaning agents is an appropriate option.
Don’t brush your shoes hard while scrubbing, and put minimum pressure if you want to maintain the structure of your shoes.
Make sure that your mesh shoes are fully dried before putting them on. It will prevent mold formation in your adorable pair of shoes.
Don’t forget to put a paper towel inside the mesh shoes if you want to maintain their shape.
Avoid using rough or hard brushes for scrubbing and dry your shoes in the proper shady area far from direct sunlight.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Fastest Way to Clean Mesh Shoes?

The fastest way to clean mesh shoes is by using soapy water. Wipe the dust with a dry brush, then scrub your shoes with soapy water using the toothbrush. When you are done cleaning, rinse the soap with water and let them dry in a shady place.

How Do You Get Stains Out Of Mesh Shoes?

Soak your shoes in mild laundry detergent water for thirty minutes to get stains out of mesh shoes. Then, brush off the stains and use plain water to rinse them. Dry them in a place where the airflow is good enough.

Can You Wash Mesh Shoes?

Yes, you can wash shoes to keep them clean and new. The hand washing method is preferable to the machine washing method. Use less harsh detergent while cleaning.

How Do You Clean Mesh Shoes without Water?

Make a paste by adding baking soda and vinegar to the bowl. Apply this paste on shoes with a clean cloth. Let the mixture harden.

Can You Put Mesh in The Washing Machine?

Yes, you can put mesh shoes in the washer, but you must be very careful. The reason is that the agitator of the washer can spoil the shoe quality.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, I have performed all these methods to clean mesh shoes. The results were impressive, and I noticed that many people were unaware of proper cleaning methods for mesh shoes.

So that was my experience, and I will love to hear from you. If you still have any doubts, ask me in the comment section, and I will respond.