White shoes look bright and clean until… you do practically anything. A speck of dirt, a coffee drip, a scuff. Everyday life leaves real marks. The good news? Keeping your white Xero Shoes fresh doesn’t require harsh chemicals or a complicated routine — just the right approach for the right material.

Read on for tips to keep your white Xero Shoes clean, with special care instructions for knit, mesh, leather, suede and canvas.

Let’s start simple.

The 3-Step Xero Shoes Cleaning Method

For most materials like knit and mesh, we recommend an easy, 3-step method, and you likely already have everything at home. 

Step 1: Mix a Gentle Solution

Combine:

• 2 cups cold water

• 1 teaspoon non-bleach laundry detergent

Why non-bleach? Bleach can weaken fibers, discolor uppers, and break down materials over time. 

Step 2: Spot Clean Gently

Grab an old toothbrush or soft plastic-bristle brush. Avoid metal, which can tear materials.

Lightly scrub dirty areas on the top, side and bottom of your shoes (ie: upper, sidewalls, and soles.)

Step 3: Air Dry. Always.

Rinse cleaned areas with cold water.  Let your shoes air dry completely.

We don’t recommend putting shoes in the dryer, using heaters, or any heat method to speed up drying. High heat can warp materials and shorten the life of your shoes.

How to Clean Specific Shoe Materials

With more than 70 styles of Xero Shoes out there for performance, casual and everything in-between, our shoes are designed with the best materials for the intended use. If you want to get specific with your shoe cleaning, scroll to the material for specific care instructions.

Knit

Lightweight. Breathable. Flexible. Knit uppers are built to move — but they don’t love being soaked with water.

How to clean:

• Brush off dry dirt first.

• Use the mild non-bleach laundry detergent and water mix (50/50).

• Gently scrub with a plastic bristle brush in circular motions.

• Avoid oversaturating with cleaner or water.
  Stuff with paper towels while drying to maintain shape.

Skip:

• Machine washing

• Hot water

Knit structures can stretch or lose integrity under high heat or heavy agitation. Keep it gentle.

Mesh

Mesh is breathable — which means dirt can hide in tiny openings. And with many Xero Shoes performance and hiking footwear made with this material, if you wear them right, you’ll have to clean them often.

How to clean:

• Tap shoes together to knock off loose debris.

• Dry-brush first with plastic bristle brush.

• Clean lightly with diluted non-bleach detergent and water solution.

• Blot stubborn spots with a wet microfiber cloth.

Skip:

• Aggressive scrubbing

• Chlorine or bleach-based cleaners

Too much friction can fray fibers. Controlled pressure works better.

Leather

Leather is tough — but to keep your leather boots or shoes looking good for years to come, focus on a balance of minimal water and leather conditioning. 

How to clean:

• Wipe dirt off with a damp cloth.

• Use mild soap and water sparingly.

• Wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth (don’t soak).

• Stuff inside with paper towels (or paper bags). Let air dry.

• Apply leather conditioner with a microfiber cloth once dry.

Conditioning helps restore natural oils and keeps leather supple and strong.

Skip:

• Submerging in water

• Household cleaners

• Abrasive brushes

Suede

Suede is leather’s more sensitive cousin.

How to clean:

• Let mud dry completely first.

• Use a suede brush to lift dirt.

• Use a suede eraser for small stains.

• For tougher spots, lightly dab with white vinegar.

• Brush again after drying to restore texture.

Skip:

• Soaking in water

• Scrubbing hard

• Liquid detergent saturation

Water can flatten suede’s texture and leave marks.

Canvas

Durable. Classic. Surprisingly easy to clean.

How to clean:

• Use a plastic bristle dry brush to loosen debris.

• Use a mild non-bleach detergent/water mix.

• Scrub gently.

• Rinse lightly.

• Air dry.

For bright white canvas, a baking soda + water paste can help lift stains.

Skip:

• Bleach (it can yellow over time)

• Dryer heat

Should You Use a Protectant Spray?

If your shoes are brand new, applying a protectant spray (like Scotchgard™ or KIWI® Protect-All) can help repel water and stains.

Always test a small area first.

Think of it as preventative care — not a force field.

How Often Should You Clean Your Shoes?

The sooner you clean them, the easier because dirt that stays on materials bonds to fibers over time. A quick wipe-down after messy adventures saves you from deep scrubbing later.

If you wear your white shoes often:

• Light wipe weekly

• Deeper clean as needed

Want Care Instructions for a Specific Style?

Check the Care tab on each Xero Shoes’ product page. We include material-specific guidance there so you don’t have to guess.