Hand-Wash or Machine-Wash Your On Cloud Running Shoes

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Remove dirt, sweat, grass stains, and more with this easy guide
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If your On Cloud running shoes are covered in sweat, dirt, and grime after your last training session, it might be time to give them a clean. To clean your Cloud shoes, you only need to hand wash the outside with detergent, baking soda, and water. However, if you want to just throw them in the washing machine, consider putting them into a mesh bag and placing towels or clothes inside to limit damage to your shoes and your washer. Read on to learn how you can keep your On Cloud shoes looking their best.

This article is based on an interview with our designer shoe and bag care specialist, Rio Jongsae Kim, owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

  • Soak the laces and insoles in a small bowl with warm water and 1 tablespoon (0.52 oz) of laundry detergent for 1 hour.
  • Wash the shoes with water and 1 tbsp (0.52 oz) of laundry detergent. Scrub the outsoles using ¼ cup (2.11 oz) of baking soda and 1 tbsp (0.52 oz) of water.
  • Wring out the extra water, then place a ball of paper inside each shoe to soak up any extra moisture. Leave them in a room temperature area to air dry.
Section 1 of 3:

Hand-Washing On Cloud Shoes

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  1. Remove the laces and insoles from your On Cloud shoes. Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a scoop of powder or 1 tablespoon (0.52 oz) of liquid laundry detergent. Place the laces and insoles in the bowl. Leave them to soak for about 1 hour. [1]
    • Alternatively, fill a bowl with â…” cup (5.63 oz) of baking soda, ½ cup (4.22 oz) of liquid soap, ½ cup (4.22 oz) of warm water, and 2 tablespoons (1.04 oz) of white vinegar. Allow the laces and insoles to soak inside for 1 hour.
    • Gently wash your laces and insoles using a bar of laundry soap or place them in a mesh bag and throw it into a washing machine on a delicate cycle with cold water.
  2. Over a garbage can, tap the shoe soles together to knock off any dirt or debris. Using a dry soft shoe cleaning brush or an old toothbrush, gently scrub off dirt on the outsole. [2]
    • If the dirt on your shoes is wet, wait for your shoes to dry completely before tapping the soles together.
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  3. Fill a bucket or a sink with warm water. Add in a scoop of powder or 1 tablespoon (0.52 oz) of liquid laundry detergent. Place the shoes in the water and use a soft cloth or sponge to gently clean them. Wipe the shoes with a soft cloth dampened in water to remove any remaining detergent when you're done.
    • To get rid of stubborn stains, spray carpet cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner on any stains on the fabric parts of the shoe. Wait 5 minutes, then blot the stains with a damp cloth or sponge.
    • Alternatively, dip a soft brush in a small bowl of warm water and 1 tablespoon (0.52 oz) of laundry detergent and scrub stains in a small, circular motion.
  4. If the outsoles aren’t completely clean after the laundry detergent bath, create a paste using ¼ cup (2.11 oz) of baking soda and 1 tablespoon (0.52 oz) of water. Apply the paste to the rubber outsoles and scrub any stains with a soft brush or old toothbrush. [3] Dip a cloth in clean water and wipe the outsoles with it to remove any gunk and paste.
    • If the toothbrush hairs are too soft to scrub, cut the hairs using a pair of scissors to make them short and strong.
    • For extra stain-scrubbing power, make a cleaning paste using 2 tablespoons (1.04 oz) of baking soda, 2 tablespoons (1.04 oz) of laundry booster , 1 teaspoon (0.17 oz) of hydrogen peroxide , and 1 tablespoon (0.52 oz) of water.
    • Alternatively, slightly wet a Magic Eraser with water and scrub at any stains or scuff marks on the rubber edges and the bottom of the shoe. [4]
  5. Roll a paper towel, a piece of paper, or a newspaper page into a ball large enough to fill the inside of the shoe. Place 2 balls inside each shoe to absorb any leftover moisture. [5] Leave your shoes in a room temperature location to dry for at least 1 hour.
    • Avoid placing your shoes on direct heat sources like radiators. The intensity of the heat might cause the materials in your shoe to warp or lose their shape.
    • Once the laces, insoles, and shoes are completely dry, reassemble your shoes and store them in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight.
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Section 2 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine to Clean On Cloud Shoes

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  1. Remove the insoles and laces from your shoes. Tap the soles of your shoes together over a garbage can to knock off any large chunks of dirt and debris. Wet a soft brush or old toothbrush with water and scrub off any dirt on the outside of each shoe. [6]
    • Machine washing is generally not recommended for specialized running shoes because it may shorten their lifespan. [7]
  2. Spray any dirt, grass, blood, or oil stains with a spot carpet cleaner like Resolve or OxiClean stain remover or with a water-based all-purpose cleaner. [8]
    • Alternatively, scrub with a soft brush and a paste made of 2 tablespoons (1.04 oz) of baking soda, 2 tablespoons (1.04 oz) of laundry booster, 1 teaspoon (0.17 oz) of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon (0.52 oz) of water.
  3. The speed of the washing machine can cause your On Cloud running shoes to bang against the sides of the drum. Add at least 2 towels to the washing machine to prevent damage to your shoes or the drum. This can also help muffle any noise from the shoes being washed. [9]
    • Alternatively, put half a load of your regular laundry in the washing machine.
  4. Unlace your shoes and take out the insoles. Place the laces, insoles, and shoes inside a mesh bag or an old pillowcase. [10] Place the mesh bag inside the washing machine on top of the old towels.
    • If you use an old pillowcase, choose one with a zipper, secure the opening with a rubber band, or knot the fabric loosely to make sure the shoes, laces, and insoles don’t fall out. [11]
  5. Delicate cycles have slower spin cycles that can help reduce noise and damage to your shoes or washing machine. Add liquid detergent to the dispenser. Select the delicate cycle, choose the coldest temperature available for the wash, and start the machine . [12]
    • If your shoes are completely white, add ¼ cup (2.11 oz) of bleach to the dispenser before washing. [13]
    • Liquid detergent may be better than powder detergent for this task because powder doesn’t always dissolve fully in cold water. [14]
    • Although some people believe that heat can kill off odor-producing bacteria , most modern laundry detergents contain enzymes that remove odors without hot water. [15]
  6. Take the mesh bag out of the washing machine. Gently wring out your shoes, insoles, and laces to remove any excess water. Roll up 2 balls of newspaper, paper towels, or paper and place 1 in each shoe. [16] Allow the laces, insoles, and shoes to dry completely, then reassemble your shoes.
    • Don't put your shoes in the dryer, which can ruin them.
    • When you’re not using them, store your shoes in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight. [17]
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Section 3 of 3:

Using a Soft Brush to Clean On Cloud Shoes

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  1. To quickly clean your running shoes , tap the soles of your shoes together over a trash can to knock off any loose dirt. Wet a soft brush or old toothbrush with water and scrub off any dirt or mud buildup. Store the shoes in a dry place and let them air dry. [18]
    • If you’d like, soak the laces and insoles in warm water and a scoop of laundry detergent for an hour. Rinse them off with clean water, squeeze out the excess moisture, then let them air dry alongside the shoes.
    • Allow the shoes, laces, and insoles to dry completely before reassembling your shoes.

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      Warnings

      • Try to machine wash your shoes as a last resort. The heat of the washer and the speed of the drum can damage seams and the overall structural integrity of the shoe. [19]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.on-running.com/en-us/stories/how-to-wash-running-shoes
      2. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/fashion/clothing/how-to-clean-sneakers
      3. ↑ https://www.on-running.com/en-us/stories/how-to-wash-running-shoes
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-use-magic-eraser/
      5. ↑ https://www.on-running.com/en-us/stories/how-to-wash-running-shoes
      6. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/fashion/clothing/how-to-clean-sneakers
      7. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/washing-machines/smarter-things-to-never-put-in-your-washing-machine-a3442461897/
      8. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing-care/how-to-clean-white-shoes
      9. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-sneakers-in-washing-machine/
      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-wash-shoes-in-washing-machine/
      2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-wash-shoes-in-washing-machine/
      3. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-sneakers-in-washing-machine/
      4. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/sneaker-cleaning-white-knit-running-adidas-ultra-boost
      5. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-sneakers-in-washing-machine/
      6. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-sneakers-in-washing-machine/
      7. ↑ https://www.outsideonline.com/running/gear/road-shoes/clean-running-shoes-right-way/
      8. ↑ https://www.outsideonline.com/running/gear/road-shoes/clean-running-shoes-right-way/
      9. ↑ https://www.on-running.com/en-us/stories/how-to-wash-running-shoes
      10. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/washing-machines/smarter-things-to-never-put-in-your-washing-machine-a3442461897/

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