How To Clean Hokas: A Simple Guide To Keeping Your Footwear Fresh

If you want something to last and look good, it needs a little care every now and then. That goes for everything you own, including your favorite pair (or collection) of Hoka shoes. Whether you’ve been hitting the trails, pounding the pavement or dressing for everyday occasions in comfort, your Hokas could probably use some TLC. And if you’ve been wondering how to clean Hokas quickly and easily, this guide walks you through it step-by-step, with tips and advice for how to keep your cushy, colorful sneakers looking fresh.

So, how do you actually clean Hokas without ruining their comfort or style? With just a few simple steps, like removing the laces, brushing off dirt and performing a quick spot clean, you can get your shoes looking like new in no time—no fancy tools or harsh cleaners required. Below, we guide you through exactly what to do, with clear instructions and helpful images.

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Step 1: Remove The Laces And Insoles

Before you start cleaning your Hokas, remove the laces and insoles. This allows you to clean each part of the shoe more thoroughly and prevents dirt and grime from getting trapped in those hard-to-reach areas. Removing these parts also helps the shoe dry faster and more evenly, which reduces the likelihood of lingering odors or mildew.

Keep in mind that some shoes have unique lacing patterns, so if you’re not sure how to re-lace your shoes once they’re dry, take a picture of each one beforehand.

Step 2: Brush Off Loose Dirt

Next, use a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to gently remove loose dirt, mud and debris from the uppers, soles and crevices of your Hokas. This step prevents excess grime from smearing or staining fabrics during the cleaning process, and it helps protect the shoe material from unwanted damage. Focus on dry brushing first before moving on to the next step with soap and water.

For this exercise, I broke out my old pair of Anacapa Breeze Low hiking shoes that are made with a combination of leather and polyester on the upper, as well as a lugged Vibram outsole for better grip. Naturally, the different materials and hard-to-reach areas between the lugs pose more of a challenge, but a little patience and care go a long way. Be sure to perform this step over a towel or bucket to catch debris, or do it over the sink or bathtub for easy cleanup.

Step 3: Spot Clean With Mild Soap

After brushing off any loose dirt, address stains and grime with a gentle spot cleaning. Mix a small amount of mild soap with warm water; I really like castile soap because it’s gentle and versatile, and a small drop goes a long way. Dip a soft cloth, an old rag or a brush in the soapy solution, and scrub the dirty areas of your Hokas. Be sure to work on spots without soaking them, especially if you’re cleaning mesh or foam materials that absorb water.

Keep in mind that some cleaners contain harsh chemicals or bleach that can harm materials or alter fabric colors, so it’s worth taking the extra step to source a mild soap or detergent, just to be safe.

Step 4: Rinse And Blot Dry

Once you’ve gently scrubbed your shoes from top to bottom, focusing on stains and built-up grime, it’s time to gently rinse your Hokas to remove leftover soap or cleaner. Using cool water from the tap, run your shoes under a low-pressure stream or wipe them down with a damp cloth. The key here is to rinse without fully soaking them.

After rinsing, use a clean, dry towel to remove any excess water. Blot or press down with the towel as opposed to scrubbing, as that can ruin materials or push loose, remaining dirt deeper into fabrics.

Step 5: Air-Dry Completely

After blotting your Hokas, let them sit out to air-dry in a well-ventilated area. As tempting as it may be to toss them in the dryer, high temps can harm fabrics or damage materials like rubber. Some dryers come with a rack that’s designed to dry shoes, so if you’d rather use a machine to speed up the process, be sure to set the dryer to a low heat setting.

Once your shoes are fully dry, reinsert the insoles and add the laces, and your Hokas will look and feel fresh for miles to come.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted gear team makes product recommendations only after we’ve done our homework. Over the years, our footwear guides have covered everything from Hoka shoes for walking to Hoka running shoes. While we primarily focus on the latest products, we also believe it’s just as important to care for what you already own so youre shoes last longer.

• This how-to guide was written by Forbes Vetted gear editor and author Cam Vigliotta. With years of experience testing equipment and apparel, he has learned that the best gear is often what you already own. He picked up the Hoka shoes featured in this guide when they were released in collaboration with Cotopaxi more than two years ago, and they still look and feel like a new pair.
• Before putting this guide together, we carefully inspected a variety of soaps, detergents, towels, brushes and other essentials to ensure the steps and strategies we recommend actually clean your shoes effectively and protect fabrics and materials from damage.