White On Cloud sneakers look phenomenal out of the box and catastrophic three weeks later. The breathable engineered mesh upper that gives the shoe its signature cloud-like feel also soaks up dust, grass stains, and every puddle splash within a quarter mile. Learning how to clean white on cloud shoes properly is the difference between $150 shoes that stay white for a season and shoes that look tired by month two. The good news: the Swiss-designed brand uses materials that respond well to gentle, targeted cleaning.
This guide covers safe cleaning methods, product recommendations, and the drying routine that preserves the speedboard midsole and the branded CloudTec pods underneath.
What On Cloud Shoes Are Made Of
Understanding the materials determines which cleaning methods are safe. On Cloud sneakers mostly use three main components.
- Engineered mesh upper — breathable knit or woven polyester with TPU reinforcement overlays
- Speedboard midsole — carbon-infused plastic plate that cannot be soaked
- CloudTec elements — hollow EVA rubber pods on the outsole that crush and rebound
- Synthetic laces — standard polyester, easy to wash separately
- Foam insole — removable OrthoLite liner
The mesh handles water and mild soap well. The Speedboard and CloudTec pods do not like prolonged submersion and absolutely cannot go in a washing machine or dryer. Mechanical agitation in a machine will also distort the upper and crack the TPU overlays.
What You Will Need
- Soft-bristle toothbrush or dedicated sneaker brush
- Microfiber cloth
- Mild laundry detergent (Tide Free and Gentle, Seventh Generation, or Dawn dish soap)
- White baking soda
- Small bowl of warm water
- Clean paper towels or shoe trees
- Optional: Jason Markk sneaker cleaner or Crep Protect kit
Skip bleach, harsh solvents, and magic erasers on the mesh upper. Bleach yellows the mesh over time and weakens the fibers. Magic erasers work on the rubber outsole but will shred the mesh instantly.
Step 1: Remove Laces and Insoles
Pull the laces all the way out and remove the OrthoLite insoles. Both get cleaned separately and the shoe itself is easier to work on without them in the way. Knock any loose dirt out by tapping the soles together over a trash can or outside.
Step 2: Pre-Treat Scuffs on the Midsole
Scuffs on the white Speedboard midsole come out easily with a dab of baking soda and a damp toothbrush. Make a paste of one teaspoon baking soda and a half teaspoon water, apply with the brush, scrub in small circles, then wipe clean with a damp microfiber. Repeat for stubborn marks. A magic eraser is safe here on the midsole and outsole — just do not let it touch the upper.
Step 3: Clean the Mesh Upper
Mix a cup of warm water with one teaspoon of mild detergent. Dip the toothbrush, tap off excess water, and scrub the mesh in small circular motions. The goal is damp cleaning, not soaking. The less water you use, the less chance of water staining the Speedboard beneath.
Work section by section — toe box, vamp, side panels, heel — and wipe each section with a clean damp microfiber after scrubbing to lift the dirt out rather than push it deeper into the knit. For persistent stains, a sneaker cleaner like Jason Markk Premium at $16 delivers noticeably better results than household soap and is gentle on technical fabrics.
Step 4: Clean the Laces and Insoles
Laces get cleaned in a small bowl with warm water and laundry detergent. Let them soak 15 minutes, then scrub with the toothbrush, rinse, and lay flat to air dry. Yellowed white laces often come back to bright white with an hour in direct sun after washing — UV is a mild natural bleach.
Insoles should never be submerged. Instead, wipe the top surface with a damp cloth and a drop of dish soap, then a clean damp cloth to remove soap residue. Set them in front of a fan to fully dry. Soaking insoles breaks down the foam and permanently reduces cushioning.
Step 5: Dry Them Correctly
Drying is where most people ruin otherwise clean shoes. Never use a clothes dryer, direct sun for more than two hours, a hair dryer, or a heating vent. All of these warp the TPU overlays and degrade the Speedboard.
- Stuff each shoe with crumpled paper towels or use cedar shoe trees
- Set shoes in a ventilated room at 65 to 72 degrees F
- Replace the paper towels after two hours with fresh dry ones
- Allow 24 to 36 hours for full air drying
- Only relace and reinsole when everything is completely dry
A fan blowing across the shoes (not directly into them) speeds drying safely. In humid weather, run a dehumidifier in the room to pull moisture out faster.
Handling Tough Stains
Grass, mud, and oil stains need targeted treatment.
Grass Stains
Apply a drop of Dawn dish soap directly to the stain, agitate with the toothbrush, let sit 10 minutes, then rinse by dabbing with a damp cloth. Repeat if needed. Grass is an oily plant pigment and dish soap cuts the oil better than laundry detergent.
Mud
Let mud dry completely before cleaning. Knock off loose dry mud with a dry brush, then clean the remaining stain with the normal method above. Wet mud rubbed into mesh sets the stain deeper.
Oil and Grease
Dust the stain with cornstarch or baking soda and let sit 30 minutes to absorb the oil. Brush off, then clean normally. Oil stains are the hardest to remove completely from white knit mesh — catching them early matters.
Blood
Cold water only — hot water sets protein stains. Dab with cold water and a drop of detergent, never scrub forcefully. Hydrogen peroxide 3% on a Q-tip lifts persistent spots without bleaching the surrounding mesh.
Preventive Care That Extends Shoe Life
The best cleaning is the cleaning you do not have to do. Four habits keep white On Cloud shoes looking new.
- Spray new shoes with Crep Protect or Jason Markk Repel before first wear
- Wipe shoes down with a dry microfiber after every wear
- Rotate between two pairs so one set always has a dry day
- Store out of direct sunlight; UV yellows white mesh over months
For related cleaning routines across the home, browse our cleaning guides. A little maintenance keeps $150 shoes looking $150 long past the usual breakdown curve.
