How to Clean Yeezys: With Ease At Home

Your cool Yeezys are a unique, contemporary pair of shoes. You’ve probably tried to keep that immaculately clean so far, but that’s not always possible. Don’t freak out if you feel your Yeezys look worn and dirty.

We have researched the best methods for how to clean Yeezys. We’ll answer some of your burning questions and equip you with a step-by-step method for washing Yeezys at home.

Now you can get your Yeezys looking brand spanking new. Say goodbye to stains and scuffs with our effective tips.

Can You Put Yeezys in the Washer?

When cleaning your dirty Yeezys at home, it might be tempting to toss them in the washing machine. But this depends on what kind of Yeezys you have. You can use a washing machine for cleaning shoes:

• Yeezys 350
• Yeezys 380
• Yeezys 450

Do not clean the following in the machine:

• Yeezys Foam Runner
• Yeezys Slides
• Yeezys 700
• Yeezys 500

These four editions are made with foam, suede, and other delicate materials and therefore shouldn’t go through the washing machine.

While you can wash Yeezys 350, 380, and 450 in the machine, hand-washing is the best method for protecting your Yeezys from damage.

What is the Best Way to Clean Yeezys?

The overall best way to clean Yeezys is by spot-treating and handwashing them. If you skip the washing machine, you eliminate the small risk of your appliance ruining the shoes.

It also depends on the type of Yeezys you have. The 350, 380, and 450 series are made with a mixture of cloth and rubber. They can handle a gentle spin in the washing machine or more vigorous scrubbing. The other series are made with mostly rubber, suede, leather, or foam, so you must take a more specialized approach depending on what type of Yeezys you have.

Yeezys 350

How to clean Yeezys 350, 380, and 450 will be similar. The best way to clean these Yeezys starts with removing the soles and laces. You’ll then use a cleaning solution of your choice, lukewarm water, and a gentle scrubbing brush to spot clean stains and marks.

If your Yeezys are particularly dirty, you can take advantage of your washing machine. Place the Yeezys in a pillowcase or a mesh laundry bag. Wash the shoes on the most gentle and coldest setting before air drying.

Wash your laces and insoles separately with soapy water and a soft-bristled brush.

Yeezys 700

The 700 series, along with the Foam Runner, Slides, and 500 series, should be washed more carefully.

The best way to clean these Yeezys is with a specialized shoe cleaner. Remove the shoelaces if you have any. Dilute your chosen cleaning solution according to the packaging instruction. Use a specialized brush or cloth depending on the material of the Yeezys. Dunk it in the shoe cleaner and scrub the Yeezys gently in circular motions.

Clean your laces separately while letting the Yeezys air dry.

How to Clean White Yeezys At Home

It’s time to get your Yeezys sparkling clean. We’ll get rid of dirty marks while bringing out the original color of your shoes.

We’ll also share different tips for the different types of Yeezys. So no matter what series you own, these tips can help.

• Time: 30-45 minutes
• Difficulty: Intermediate

What You’ll Need

• Shoe brush (depending on the material of your shoes)
• Shoe cleaning solution (store-bought or distilled white vinegar if making own)
• Bowl
• Water
• Soft cloth
• Dish soap
• Suede brush (for suede Yeezys)
• Pencil eraser (for suede Yeezys)
• Mild detergent or dish soap (for leather and lycra Yeezys)
• Towel (for leather Yeezys)
• Soft bristle shoe brush (for Yeezy Foam Runners, Slides, and shoelaces)

Let’s dive into the best methods for cleaning Yeezys without a washing machine.

1. Remove Laces and Insoles

Before you start, remove the laces and insoles. We will clean those separately later.

2. Brush Off Excess Dirt

Use a shoe cleaning brush to brush off any excess dirt. This will make it easier to clean the shoes in the following steps. Always make sure to use the correct shoe brush, depending on the material. For instance, use a suede shoe brush if you have a suede shoe.

An all-purpose shoe brush is fine for Yeezys 350, 380, and 450.

3. Mix Cleaning Solution

You can use a store-bought cleaning solution for deep cleaning your shoes and removing stains. These are more heavy-duty cleaners, and we recommend them if your Yeezys are filthy. Always make sure to choose a shoe cleaner that is suitable for your Yeezys’ materials.

If you want to clean your Yeezys without a shoe cleaner, you can make your own. Mix a 1:1 ratio of distilled white vinegar and lukewarm water. This is an eco-friendly, non-toxic, but effective cleaner.

4. Brush Shoes With Solution

Using your shoe brush, apply the cleaning solution to the main part of the shoe. Don’t clean the soles and bottom right now. Just focus on the top. Brush in circular motions until you notice the stains lifting and the shoes becoming cleaner.

Keep going with this step if you’re aiming to unyellow your white Yeezys. Don’t be nervous about rubbing quite vigorously if cleaning Yeezys 350, 380, and 450s.

For suede Yeezys, don’t use any cleaning solution. Just make sure to use a dry suede brush to remove dirt.

For leather and lycra Yeezys, skip the cleaning solution and use a mild detergent or dish soap instead. Mix together a couple of tablespoons into a couple of cups of lukewarm water. Trade out the shoe brush for a soft cloth.

For foam Yeezys and slides, use a soft-bristle brush and soapy water. Skip a shoe cleaning solution. You must be very careful with these Yeezys.

5. Clean Yeezys Soles

Once the top of the shoe is clean, move onto the sole. Make sure to hold the shoe vertically so that you don’t drip any dirty water from the bottom of the shoes back onto the clean top.

Follow the same method as above, depending on what type of Yeezys you have. The only difference is for suede Yeezys, you should use a pencil eraser to clean the soles.

6. Rinse Shoes With Damp Cloth

Dampen a clean cloth with water. Gently rub the entire shoe to remove excess dirt, cleaning solution, and debris.

7. Air Dry Yeezys

Let your Yeezys air dry in a cool breezy spot. This can take around 24 hours, so be patient.

8. Clean Laces and Insoles

While your Yeezys are drying, it’s time to clean the laces and insoles.

To clean the laces, mix a 5:1 solution of water and dish soap. Soak the laces in the solution for 20 minutes before gently scrubbing them with a soft-bristled shoe brush. Work to remove dirt and stains, but don’t apply too much pressure as this can fray the laces.

Hang the laces and let them air dry.

Create the same 5:1 solution of water and dish soap for the insoles. Dip the soft-bristled brush into the mixture and gently scrub the insoles. Continue until they are clean. When finished, wipe them with a dampened cloth. Air dry them along with the Yeezys.

How to Clean Yeezys In Washing Machine

If your Yeezys are really dirty and the above method isn’t working, you can utilize the power of your washing machine. Please note that we only recommend this method for Yeezys 350, 380, and 450.

Firstly, remove the laces and insoles and clean them separately using our above method. Wipe the Yeezys with a shoe brush to remove excess dirt. Place the shoes in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag. Secure the pillowcase or bag shut. Pour a small amount of mild detergent into the machine — about half of what you’d typically use. Put the shoes in the machine and set it to a delicate cycle with cold water. Run the machine. After the cycle, let the Yeezys air dry in a cool breezy spot.

How to Get Stains Out of Yeezys

If you don’t need to deep clean the whole Yeezys, but you have stains to remove, keep reading. This method works for Yeezys of all colors, including black, white, and cream. It even works for special designs, such as that found on Zebra Yeezys.

• Time: Up to one hour
• Difficulty: Intermediate

What You’ll Need

• Multi-purpose stain remover such as OxiClean
• Store-bought shoe cleaner (optional)
• Bowl of water
• Soft-bristle shoe brush
• Soft cloth
• Small thick towel
• Magic eraser (optional)

1. Stuff Yeezys With Towel

Stuff a small thick towel inside of your Yeezys. This will absorb water and cleaning solution so that you don’t soak the inside of your shoes.

2. Mix Cleaning Solution

Mix together your stain remover in a bowl of cool water according to packaging instructions. With some products, the manufacturer may state to apply the stain remover directly onto the shoe.

For suede, leather, and lycra Yeezys, we recommend using an appropriate shoe cleaner instead of a commercial multi-purpose stain remover.

On that note, if you already have a shoe cleaner in the house, you can use that for any kind of Yeezys if it saves you from buying a multi-purpose stain remover.

3. Apply Cleaning Solution

Using a soft-bristled shoe brush or soft cloth, apply the stain remover to the shoe. Rub in gentle circular motions until the stain has lifted. This can take a few minutes, or you may have to continue for around 10 minutes.

4. Rinse Area

Soak a soft cloth in cool water and rinse the area to remove the cleaning solution. If the stain persists, repeat the above steps.

5. Magic Eraser for Really Stubborn Stains

If the stain still isn’t budging, you may want to try a Magic Eraser. Follow the packaging instructions to use the product on your shoe.

6. Air Dry Shoes

Let the shoes air dry until 100 percent dry before wearing them again.

Taking Care of Yeezys

To save yourself from the hassle of deep cleaning your shoes, maintenance is key. Here are our top tips for taking care of your Yeezys:

• Remove dirt daily: Once you’re home, give your Yeezys a quick wipe to remove excess dirt. This will keep the shoes fresh and prevent dirt from embedding into and staining the material.
• Scrub the soles: Whenever you notice dirt on the soles of your Yeezys, give them a quick scrub with a damp cloth. The longer you leave dirt on the soles, the more likely it’ll cause a long-term stain.
• Spot clean Yeezys: Whenever you notice a stain on your Yeezys, clean them immediately. Don’t let it sit for a long time.
• Use shoe protection: You can buy shoe protection spray to keep your Yeezys strong and mighty. This gives it a protective layer so that various elements are less likely to cause long-term damage.
• Wear your Yeezys in urban settings: Don’t wear your Yeezys when you’re going hiking, walking through the forest, or taking the dog out. Wear them in urban settings, preferably on dry days.
• Protect the soles: Yeezys have attractive soles, but they can yellow quickly. Use a brightening agent on the sole, such as hydrogen peroxide cream or baking soda. This will whiten them back to their original hue. Let it sit for one hour before rinsing.
• Clean regularly: We recommend cleaning your Yeezys around every two weeks or every 10 wears. If you notice dirt and stains, clean them as soon as possible.

FAQs

Can I Bleach My White Yeezys?

We recommend against it. Bleach is corrosive and toxic. It can easily damage your Yeezys. If you need to whiten your Yeezys, our cleaning steps can work. You can also buy a specific shoe cleaner for white shoes, which will help bring back the white shine.

How Do You Keep Yeezys From Turning Yellow?

Nobody wants their white Yeezys to turn yellow. The best way to prevent this is through our maintenance tips. Remove dirt daily, scrub stains as soon as you notice them, and use shoe protection. If you follow these tips and clean the shoes regularly, yellowing won’t be an issue at all.

How Can You Tell If Yeezys are Fake?

Uh-oh. Do you suspect you’ve been tricked into buying a fake pair of Yeezys? Here’s how you can tell real Yeezys vs. fake:

• The tag on the shoe should match the one on the box’s label. Counterfeit Yeezys might try and pass their shoes as real by using original Yeezys packaging, but does the serial number match?
• The heel tab on real Yeezys is only a few millimeters away from the ankle collar. On fake Yeezys, the tab is much further back.
• Check the logo. On fake Yeezys, the logo tends to take up a lot more space.
• If the label says “Sample Made in China” rather than just “Made in China”, it’s a fake pair.
• Fake Yeezys have white text on both insoles, and they don’t mirror images of each other. Real Yeezys will read “Adidas Yeezy” in the trademark Adidas trefoil. The text will be a dark gray and a mirrored image of each other.
• Check the outsole of the shoe. For instance, there’s a white flower-like embossing on the bottom of the Boost shoes. Fake Yeezys often forget these small intricate details.
• The backstitching on fake Yeezys is often very messily done. On real Yeezys, the backstitching is very neat: an ‘X’ shape followed by a square, on repeat.
• Real Yeezys have nine red dots on the rectangle part of the heel tab.
• Check the price. Real Yeezys usually cost at least $200. If you find Yeezys for less than that and they’re not from an authorized seller, then they’re most likely fake.

Why Do Yeezys Cost So Much?

The reason why Yeezys cost so much is because supply is deliberately limited to maintain its exclusivity. The resale market is also fiercely controlled to help keep prices high.

How Do You Get the Smell Out of Yeezys?

There are several ways to get the smell out of Yeezys, including filling a sock with cat litter or baking soda or placing them outside to air in the sunshine.

Can You Wear Yeezys In the Rain?

You can wear Yeezys in the rain but you probably shouldn’t. You can protect them with a waterproof spray like Scotchgard Fabric Water Shield.

Yeezy Cleaning

When it comes to washing Yeezys, it can be a bit overwhelming. But once you know what kind of Yeezys you have and what material they’re made from, get cleaning!

The best method for how to wash Yeezys involves an appropriate shoe brush and shoe cleaning solution. However, if your Yeezys are super dirty, you might be able to use your washing machine depending on what shoe series you have.

When in doubt, take your Yeezys to a professional. That way, you can get them super clean in the safest way.