The Never-Ending Battle of Keeping Shoes Clean

I want my shoes to be squeaky clean. There’s something so satisfying about putting on a pair of shoes that looks almost brand new. But I have to admit, I’m a little particular about the details. If the shoelaces still have dirt on them, or I pull my shoes out of the washing machine only to find that some areas weren’t cleaned properly, it drives me crazy!

Manually scrubbing shoes with a brush definitely gets the job done. You can reach those stubborn spots, clean around the soles, and give the laces the attention they need. The problem? It takes time—and a lot of effort. Standing over the sink scrubbing shoes for what feels like forever can leave my back and wrists hurting. And when you have several pairs to clean, it quickly becomes a chore I would rather avoid.

So now I’m curious: What is everyone else doing to keep their shoes clean? Do you have a special shoe-cleaning tool, a particular washing machine setting, a shoe-cleaning bag, or perhaps a completely different method? And how often do you clean your everyday shoes?

I’d love to hear what actually works for you—especially if it saves time and doesn’t leave you with sore wrists afterward. Share your shoe-cleaning secrets in the comments!