Last week I wore my favorite white On Cloud sneakers to a music festival. By the end of the day they were gray, muddy, and honestly looked three years old instead of three months. I almost cried. Then I spent 20 minutes cleaning them with stuff I already had at home and they came out brighter than when I bought them. Here's exactly how I did it – zero fancy products, zero damage, zero stress.
Key Takeaways: Pull the insoles and laces out first, bang off loose dirt outside, mix a few drops of dish soap in warm water, grab a soft brush and gently scrub every spot in small circles, wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, stuff with newspaper to keep the shape, and let them air-dry away from direct sun or heat. Takes 30 minutes total and works every single time.
Why On Cloud Shoes Get Dirty So Fast (and Why Normal Cleaning Ruins Them)
On Cloud shoes have that super-light CloudTec sole and a knit upper that feels like a sock. That's why they're comfy, but it's also why mud sticks like glue and regular washing machines destroy the glue and cushioning. I learned this the hard way when my first pair came out of the washer looking like sad pancakes. The pods flattened and the knit stretched forever.
The knit part is actually engineered mesh – tiny holes that let air in but also let dirt in. The white ones show every scuff in two seconds. Black and navy hide it better, but still need love. The biggest enemy is heat: dryers, radiators, or direct sunlight melt the little clouds and turn the shoes yellow.
Knowing this changes everything. You stop treating them like normal sneakers and start babying the materials a little. The good news? They clean up crazy fast once you know the tricks.
- On Clouds are not machine-washable (ever)
- Heat is the real killer – always air-dry
- The mesh loves gentle soap, hates harsh chemicals
- 95% of dirt comes off with just a soft brush and water
Everything You Need (All Cheap or Already in Your House)
You don't need a $30 sneaker cleaner kit. I use four things and my shoes look perfect every time. Here's the list: a soft toothbrush (or any soft-bristle brush), mild dish soap like Dawn, a microfiber cloth or old clean t-shirt, and a bowl of lukewarm water. That's it for light cleaning.
For tougher mud or yellow stains on white soles I add two bonus items: a magic eraser (the plain white one, no chemicals) and a tiny bit of baking soda mixed with water into a paste. If you have a plastic pry tool for taking phones apart, that's perfect for digging dirt out of the pods without scratching.
Keep everything gentle. No bleach, no laundry detergent, no hard brushes. I made the bleach mistake once on white Clouds and got weird yellow ghosts that never went away. Lesson learned.
- Must-haves: soft brush, dish soap, microfiber cloth, lukewarm water
- Optional power-ups: magic eraser, baking soda paste, plastic pry tool
- Never use: bleach, washing machine, dryer, direct sun
How to Remove Laces and Insoles the Right Way First
Start by taking the laces completely out and popping the insoles out. This lets you clean every hidden spot and stops dirt from hiding under the tongue. Most On Cloud insoles just pull straight up – give a gentle wiggle if they're stubborn.
Throw the laces in a bowl with a drop of dish soap and hot water. Let them soak while you clean the shoes – they come out bright white in ten minutes. Same with the insoles: quick scrub with the soft brush and they smell fresh again.
Doing this first makes the rest of the cleaning ten times easier and stops you from pushing dirt deeper into the shoe.
- Always remove laces and insoles before anything else
- Soak laces in warm soapy water – they clean themselves
- Insoles just need a 30-second brush and air-dry
The Gentle Brush Method That Makes Them Look Brand New
Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and two drops of dish soap. Dip your soft brush, shake off extra water so it's damp not dripping, and scrub in small circles. Start at the toe and work back. The knit is tough – you can press a little, just don't go crazy.
For the CloudTec pods flip the shoe over and brush between each pod. That's where mud hides and makes the shoes look old. If dirt is really stuck, use the plastic pry tool (or a taped butter knife) to pop it out gently. Never use bare metal – it scratches.
Keep a clean damp microfiber cloth nearby and wipe after every few circles. You'll see the dirt transfer to the cloth and the shoe getting whiter right in front of you. It's honestly satisfying.
- Use tiny circles and light pressure on the knit
- Clean between every single pod – that's the magic spot
- Wipe often with a damp cloth to see real progress
- Takes about 8–10 minutes per shoe
Handling Tough Stains and Yellowing Without Ruining Anything
White On Clouds turn yellow on the midsole super easy. The fix is a paste of baking soda + water (toothpaste texture). Rub it on with your finger or the soft brush, let it sit 10 minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth. Works 9 times out of 10.
For grass or food stains, dab (don't rub) with the same soapy water and immediately blot with the cloth. Magic eraser is your best friend for black scuff marks – wet it, squeeze almost dry, and lightly buff. It erases marks like pencil.
If the knit looks dull after cleaning, dip the cloth in plain water and give one final wipe. Brings the color back to life instantly.
- Baking soda paste = yellow sole savior
- Magic eraser only for black marks, super gentle
- Always blot stains, never scrub hard at first
Drying Tricks So They Keep Perfect Shape and Stay Cushy
Stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper or paper towels right after cleaning. This sucks up water from inside and keeps the shape perfect – no weird creases. Change the paper once after an hour if they're really wet.
Put them in front of a fan or in a shady spot with good airflow. Never ever direct sun or a heater – the pods will melt or crack. Mine take about 6–8 hours to dry completely indoors.
Once dry, pop the clean insoles and laces back in. Fluff the laces by running them through your fingers. Your shoes will look and smell factory fresh.
- Stuff with newspaper immediately – keeps shape 100%
- Fan = fast dry, sun = death
- Change paper once for soaked shoes
- Total dry time 6–12 hours depending on humidity
Final Thoughts
Cleaning On Cloud shoes is actually stupid easy once you know the gentle way. Twenty minutes and a few household items make thousand-dollar-looking feet again. Do it every couple weeks (or right after they get dirty) and they'll stay bright for years. Your wallet and your feet will thank you – go clean those Clouds right now and watch them transform!
| Quick Guide Table: How to Clean On Cloud Shoes in Order | What to Do | Extra Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Remove laces & insoles | Pull everything out | Soak laces in soapy water |
| 2. Knock off loose dirt | Bang soles together outside | Do this over trash or grass |
| 3. Mix cleaning solution | 2 drops dish soap + lukewarm water | Never hot water |
| 4. Brush upper in circles | Soft brush, damp not dripping | Wipe with microfiber after every section |
| 5. Clean between Cloud pods | Brush + plastic tool if needed | This makes the biggest difference |
| 6. Treat stains | Baking soda paste or magic eraser | Let paste sit 10 min |
| 7. Stuff & dry | Newspaper + fan, no heat | Change paper after 1 hour |
| 8. Reassemble | Fresh laces & insoles | Fluff laces for extra clean look |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I put On Cloud shoes in the washing machine?
No way, please don't. The glue that holds the CloudTec pods melts around 100°F and washing machines get way hotter. I've seen tons of pairs come out with pods falling off or completely flattened. Even the gentle cycle destroys the cushioning feel that makes them special. Hand cleaning takes 20 minutes and keeps them perfect for years – totally worth it.
Is it safe to use bleach on white On Clouds?
Never use straight bleach. It turns the white mesh and midsole yellow forever (weird chemical reaction). If you have super stubborn yellowing, mix one tiny drop of bleach in a whole bowl of water and test a tiny spot first, but honestly baking soda paste works better and is 100% safe. I always stick to that now.
Do I need to buy special sneaker cleaner?
Nope! Dish soap and water beat every $25 sneaker cleaner I've tried. The fancy ones are basically the same thing with fragrance. Save your money – two drops of Dawn in a bowl does the exact same job and won't leave residue that attracts more dirt later.
Can I speed up drying with a hair dryer?
Please don't. Heat over 100°F starts melting the pods from the inside. A fan on low or medium is perfect and safe. If you're in a rush, stuff with more paper towels and point a fan right at them – cuts drying time in half without any risk.
Is it okay to clean the Cloud pods with a toothbrush?
Yes, a soft toothbrush is actually perfect. The bristles get right between the pods where all the mud hides. Just keep it damp, not soaking wet, and brush gently. Thousands of people do this exact method and their soles stay perfect.
Do On Cloud shoes get water damaged in rain?
Light rain is totally fine – they're made to handle it. Heavy downpour or puddles will soak through the knit, but they dry out normal if you stuff them with newspaper right when you get home. I've worn mine in storms plenty of times and they're still good as new.
Can I use laundry detergent instead of dish soap?
Rather not. Laundry detergent is stronger and can leave residue that makes the mesh stiff. Dish soap rinses clean every time and is gentle on the glue. I tried laundry detergent once and my shoes felt crunchy for weeks.
Do I need to waterproof them after cleaning?
Totally optional, but a lot of people spray a fabric protector (like Crep or Scotchgard) once they're dry. It helps rain bead off and keeps them cleaner longer. I do it every few months and my white pair stays bright way longer.