Quick answer: Dry brush the upper with a soft brush, then scrub lightly with Ready-To-Use Foam or a few drops of cleaner on a damp brush. Press and twist a microfiber towel into the fabric to pull the dirt and moisture out, clean the soles separately with a stiff brush, and air dry away from heat. Mesh and knit are open weaves: dirt sits between the fibers, and too much water or a stiff brush can fuzz or snag them. Light pressure and thorough blotting do the work. We deep clean a sports mesh upper in the video.
- Hands-on time: about 15 minutes
- Drying: air dry, usually overnight
- Works on: engineered mesh, knit uppers, sock-style sneakers
Jump to: What you'll need · Steps · Mistakes to avoid · FAQ
What you'll need

Quick Clean Kit
Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner with the soft Delicates brush, for cotton, knits, leather, suede and more.
Shop now Quick Clean Kit
Premium Microfiber Towels 3-Pack
Absorbs up to 7 times its weight in water and leaves a lint-free finish.
Shop now Premium Microfiber Towels 3-Pack
Essential Kit
Concentrated Deep Cleaning Solution plus the stiff Durables brush for leather, rubber and plastic.
Shop now Essential KitUse the soft Delicates brush from the Quick Clean Kit on mesh and knit. The stiff Durables brush in the Essential Kit is for the soles only.

Clean, protect and touch up
Everything for mesh and knit
The Care Kit has Ready-To-Use Foam and the soft Delicates brush, plus Repel Spray, which is safe on mesh and knit, and Quick Wipes for the soles.
Shop the Care KitStep by step
-

Prep and stuff the toe
Take out the laces and insoles. Fill the toe box with a microfiber towel so the upper is raised and firm. That gives the brush something to push against and soaks up moisture from inside.
-

Dry brush with a soft brush Video 0:11
Brush the whole upper with a soft brush to lift surface dirt and debris. Dry brush the soles with a stiff brush.
-

Load the brush lightly Video 0:31
Dip the soft brush in a bowl of room-temperature or cold water and add a few drops of cleaner to the bristles, or pump Ready-To-Use Foam straight onto the brush.
-

Scrub gently, panel by panel Video 1:28
Use light pressure and small circles. Let the foam do the work. Pressing hard pushes dirt deeper into the weave and can fuzz knit yarn.
-

Press and twist out the dirt Video 2:29
Dab and twist a Premium Microfiber Towel into the mesh to pull out the dirty foam. Wipe as you go, and use a clean section of the towel each time.
-

Clean the soles and laces Video 1:03
Scrub the midsoles with a stiff brush and a little more cleaner, then go over the laces with the soft brush.
-

Air dry, then protect
Air dry at room temperature with good airflow, away from heat and direct sun. Once fully dry, mist on Repel Spray to help keep dirt and spills from soaking into the weave.
The soft-brush kit for mesh and knit
Ready-To-Use Foam and the soft Delicates brush clean open weaves without snagging them.
Shop the Quick Clean KitMistakes to avoid
- Using a stiff brush on the upper. Stiff bristles are for rubber, plastic and durable leather. On knit they can pill and snag the yarn.
- Soaking the shoe. Too much water spreads dirt through the weave and takes forever to dry.
- Skipping the blot. If you don't press the dirty foam out, it dries back into the fabric.
- Heat drying. Dryers, heaters and direct sun can shrink knit and weaken glue.
- The washing machine. Agitation is hard on knit and the glue line. Here's why.
Keep them clean
Repel is safe on mesh, knit, nylon and other absorbent materials, and dries clear and breathable. Quick Wipes keep the rubber soles fresh between deep cleans (not for suede or nubuck).

Repel Spray
A durable, breathable barrier that dries clear and protects against liquid and dirt. PFAS-free.
Shop now Repel Spray
Quick Wipes 30 Pack
Individually packed, plant-based wipes for scuffs and spills on the go. Not for suede or nubuck.
Shop now Quick Wipes 30 PackFAQ
Can you put knit or mesh shoes in the washing machine?
Check the brand's care label first. Hand cleaning is gentler on knit yarn and the glued sole, and takes about 15 minutes. If the label allows machine washing, use a mesh bag, cold water and a gentle cycle, then air dry. More in our washing machine guide.
What brush should I use on knit shoes?
A soft brush, like the Delicates brush in the Quick Clean Kit. Save stiff brushes for the soles.
How do I get stains out of white mesh?
Dry brush first, then work foam into the stain with light circles and blot thoroughly with a clean microfiber towel. Repeat light passes instead of scrubbing harder.
How long do mesh shoes take to dry?
Usually overnight. Pressing the moisture out with a microfiber towel and stuffing the shoes speeds it up.
Is Repel safe on knit uppers?
Yes. Repel is safe on most absorbent materials, including knit, mesh, woven fabrics, nylon and canvas, and it dries clear.
How is this different from cleaning running shoes?
It's the same gentle method. Our running shoe guide adds tips for mud, outsoles and insoles.