Sneakerhead-Approved: The Shoe Cleaning Kits Dominating 2024

There is truly no worse feeling than the first muddy splotch on a pair of new shoes. But if you’re equipped with the best shoe cleaning kit, even the nastiest marks shouldn’t raise eyebrows. Whether you’re rocking leather sneakers or suede derbies, there’s a shoe cleaning kit to keep your kicks as fresh as they were on day one. It’s all about choosing the right set for your specific needs and the correct cleanser for each individual material.

To help guide you through the qualms of footwear care, I’ve compiled the top shoe cleaning kits available. Most come from renowned footwear brands who know not only about making shoes but about how to care for them, too. And beyond just cleaning the shoe, many of the kits on this list go the extra mile to nourish and protect your footwear to make it last for years to come.

Key Takeaways

I pored over dozens of sites and read hundreds of customer reviews to compile this list. There are plenty of products to keep your footwear fresh, but in terms of the best shoe cleaning kit, Oliver Cabell takes the cake. The brand is known for its Italian leather sneakers, and the Distressed cleaning kit is designed to make even older shoes look like they just came out of the box.

If you’re looking for a less involved kit, stick with Jason Markk Shoe Cleaning Quick Wipes, which get the job done in the blink of an eye. Though for leather shoes, you’re best off with  Myrqvist Shoe Care Kit.

Keep reading to discover the best shoe cleaning kits for any type of footwear below.

Why it’s great: This is the best overall shoe cleaning kit to keep any pair of kicks looking brand new. Decked out with a shoe cleaning solution, a brush, shoe trees, and quick wipes, there’s everything you need to keep your footwear collection fresh as day.

Who this is for:: This shoe cleaning kit is for the guy who’s keen on keeping his shoes in prime condition. The addition of shoe trees makes this kit unique because beyond just cleaning the shoes, the trees help keep the shoes’ form, ensuring they look like they just came out of the box. If you’ve tried other shoe cleaners before, you’ll probably find this one much more effective, requiring less effort on your part.

How to use it: Use this shoe cleaning kit on all kinds of kicks, from sneakers to loafers and any material in between. Dip the brush in water, apply the cleaner to the brush, and then work it into the shoe. After, dip the brush in water again and continue scrubbing until the cleaner foams. Wipe the shoes with a towel, let them air dry, and slip in the shoe trees to maintain their original form. For the moment when you need a fast fix, the individually wrapped Quick Wipes work wonders. They’re also convenient to stash in your bag in case you need a clean on the go.

Flaws but not deal breakers: This kit has everything you need for clean shoes, but if you want to take it a step further, Oliver Cabell also has a range of products like Repel Spray, Shoe Whitener, and even fresh laces if you want to take your cleaning game to the next level.

Products Included: Premium shoe cleaner, shoe cleaning brush, wooden shoe trees, 24 quick wipes | Suitable For: All shoe types

Why it’s great: As specialists in highend footwear, it only makes sense that Myrqvist makes the best shoe cleaning kit for leather. It’s way more pared back than the Paul Brunngard kit but has everything you need to bring a pair of leather shoes back to life without too much hassle or elbow grease.

Who this is for: This is for the guy looking for a simple leather shoe cleaning kit. With only two products, plus a brush and a cloth, it’s a no frills way to keep leather shoes looking their best. Great for professionals or men who have a pair of staple leather shoes in their rotation.

How to use it: Start by brushing off any dirt or debris from your leather shoes. Then, apply the Saphir Pommadier (colored cream polish), working it in to eliminate scuffs, scrapes, or faded leather. Next, apply the Saphier Pate de Lux (wax polish) with a cloth, massaging it into the shoes in thin layers for a high shine finish. Once the wax dries, buff it out using the included brush.

Flaws but not deal breakers: This shoe cleaning kit takes a bit more effort than an easy shoe wipe. You have to wait for the products to soak into the leather after each step, making it slightly time consuming, but way more rewarding than a quick clean.

Products Included: Saphir pammadier, saphir pate de lux, shoe brush, polishing cloth | Suitable For: Leather

Why it’s great: Suede requires special care, and this is the ultimate shoe cleaning kit to increase the lifespan of this type of shoe. Made by Italian brand Velasca, this is the mini version of the Barlüsent suede cleaner and a great starter kit if you don’t want to commit to full sized bottles (considering it is a bit pricey).

Who this is for: This shoe cleaning kit is for the gentleman who wants to dabble with refreshing his suede shoes. As the ‘piscinin’ version of the kit, it includes travel-sized products rather than large bottles, making it a top choice for beginners or men who want to keep their suede shoes clean on the go.

How to use it: First, remove any dust or dirt from the shoes with the included bristle brush. Then, use the rubber brush for a stronger clean to remove any stains. Repeat these first two steps until you have a clean canvas to work on. When the shoes have finished their initial clean, apply the brightening spray all over and let it dry for twenty minutes. Go back in with the bristled brush to distribute the product gently. Finish off with equal coverage of waterproofing spray to protect the suede from the elements. Let them dry for a final twenty five minutes, and they’ll be good as new.

Flaws but not deal breakers: As one of the more expensive shoe cleaning kits on this list, the price may deter some buyers. But it’s a whole lot cheaper than buying new suede shoes.

Products Included: Waterproof spray, re glossing spray, parabrush, two sided paddle brush | Suitable For: Suede

Why it’s great: Refreshed kicks don’t need to come at a steep price. This is an excellent shoe cleaning kit for anyone on a budget, with a strong but safe formula concentrate and a rigid brush. Hundreds of reviewers attest to the fact that this shoe cleaning kit has left ruined white sneakers looking brand new.

Who this is for: For anyone looking for clean shoes on a budget, this is the kit to pick. It’s no frills, with a single bottle of cleaner and a brush, both of which pack a huge punch. It also works on just about every type of fabric, including washable leather, canvas, and cloth. You can even use it on your Crocs. If you’ve been wondering how to clean white Vans, this is the product to choose.

How to use it: The most important note to remember about using this shoe cleaning kit is that a little bit goes a long way. Rather than bottling the cleaner with water, Pink Miracle delivers a concentrate to give you the most bang for your buck and a solution that’s strong enough for even the darkest stains. Scrub a couple of drops into the shoe and see results instantly.

Flaws but not deal breakers: This product doesn’t work on Uggs, and if you want to use it on suede, it’s essential to ensure the fabric can get wet before applying the product.

Products Included: Shoe cleaner concentrate, bristle brush | Suitable For: Leather, vinyl, canvas, rubber

Why it’s great: As a highly rated option, this is one of the top shoe cleaning kits if you’re looking for great value. It works on multiple materials and shoe types, making it a versatile choice, and includes three types of brushes to ensure you can get every last bit of grime out of even the smallest crevices in your shoes.

Who this is for:: This is for the guy who is committed to keeping his shoes clean beyond an easy wet wipe.

How to use it: Each of the three brushes in this shoe cleaning kit has a different purpose. The soft brush should be used on suede sneakers, mesh, canvas, and laces, while the medium brush is best for leather and rubber. If you’re working with more rigid materials like plastic or midsoles, the stiff brush provides enough grit for a super strong clean.

Add some cleaning solution to warm water, dip the brush in the mixture, and scrub the shoes to create a lather. Repeat as needed to get stains out, and then wipe the shoes with a microfiber towel. Let them air dry, and they’ll look good as new.

Flaws but not deal breakers: There are only four ounces of cleaning solution, so it’s wise to use it sparingly.

Products Included: Cleaning solution, soft bristle brush, medium bristle brush, stiff bristle brush, microfiber towel | Suitable For: Suede, mesh, canvas, knite, leather, plastic, rubber

Why it’s great: For a bit of everyday TLC, this is the shoe cleaning kit to refresh on the go. It includes thirty individually wrapped Quick Wipes that will remove grit and grime from your shoes to keep them looking shiny and new. The Jason Markk brand is well revered for its tough shoe cleaners, so you already know these wipes will do the trick in a pinch.

Who this is for:: This is for the guy who needs an easy and fast solution to keeping his shoes clean on the go. These wipes are individually packaged, making them easy to slip into your pocket or bag for later.

How to use it: Unwrap the package and swipe the textured wipe all over the shoe to clean it. One side features raised dots for a scrubbing effect, while the other is soft to remove any loosened dirt.

Flaws but not deal breakers: This shoe cleaning kit cannot be used on suede or nubuck. If you’d prefer a more rigorous daily cleaning, opt for the robust Markk’s Care Kit with a brush, cleanser, and repel solution, along with a few quick wipes.

Products Included: 30 Quick Wipes | Suitable For: Canvas, leather, knit (most sneakers)

Why it’s great: This is the whole kit and caboodle when it comes to sneaker cleaning. It includes everything you need (and more) to make anything from your Jordans to your Converse look brand new. It’s especially handy for white shoes (AF1s, aka the best shoes in the world, I’m looking at you) and comes with three dedicated brushes: one for each part of the shoe.

Who this is for: As the go-to shoe cleaning kit for any sneakerhead, it makes a great gift or a present to yourself. Because there’s no better feeling than shoes that look like they just came out of the box.

How to use it: Dilute the cleaner concentrate in warm water and then apply it to the shoes by using the soft brush on the upper, the medium brush for the midsoles and more intense stains, and the hard nylon brush for the edge and sole. When you’re finished, use the microfiber cloth to polish the sneakers off and then let them air dry.

Flaws but not deal breakers: It’s imperative to follow the included instructions or you may not reap all the benefits of this shoe cleaning kit.

Products Included: Cleaning solution, soft bristle brush, medium bristle brush, hard nylon brush, microfiber cloth | Suitable For: All shoe types

Why it’s great: With everything you need to keep leather shoes brand new, this is the best luxury shoe cleaning kit. While most leather kits include a single-colored cream, the Paul Brunngard Starter Kit has three shades of both cream and wax to keep any color of leather shoe looking incredible.

Who this is for:: This kit is for the sophisticated man committed to keeping his leather shoes fresh. Beyond the reviving cream that cleanses the leather, this kit includes artistic cream to re pigment the leather, along with sublime wax and spitshine, taking it beyond a simple cleaning set to a full-blown leather restoration system.

How to use it: Start by cleaning the shoes with the revitalizing cream, which nourishes the leather. Then, work in the pigmented artistic cream to fill in any scratches or nicks. The third step is to use the sublime wax, which will make the shoes nice and glossy, before applying spitshine for a buildable high polish finish.

Flaws but not deal breakers: If you don’t own multiple pairs of leather shoes that need attention, you probably don’t require a cleaning kit as comprehensive as this. It also doesn’t come with a brush or cloth to apply the product.

Products Included: 3 shades of artistic creams, 3 shades of sublime waxes, reviving cream, spitshine | Suitable For: Leather

Buying Considerations for the Best Shoe Cleaning Kit

Material Intended For

The most important consideration for shoe cleaning kits is the type of material it’s suitable for. While there are a few all-rounder kits that work to refresh anything, most shoe cleaning kits are catered to a specific material, like leather, suede, or rubber.

This is important to note because, for example, leather shoe cleaning kits generally come with colored wax to fill in scuffs and scratches, while suede shoe cleaning kits come with special brushes to buff out stains. Unless you’re working with a specific material that needs significant attention, a standard shoe cleaning kit like Oliver Cabell’s will work for most sneakers and everyday kicks.

Products Included

It’s also worth considering the products included because shoe cleaning kits all offer something a bit different. At the minimum, any kit should include some type of cleanser solution, while many also come with brushes, cloths, and additional supplies like wax, spitshine, polish, or, most usefully, water repellent to protect shoes from the elements after they have a nice clean.

It’s always handy to choose a shoe cleaning kit that comes with wipes if you’re seeking a constant pristine condition since you can stick them in your bag and wipe off grime throughout the day.

Application Method

Finally, think about the application method of the shoe cleaning kit because they all require something slightly different.

Leather kits, for example, require a several step process that involves cleansing, waxing, polishing, and buffing the shoe, with twenty minute pauses between each step.

On the other hand, sneaker cleaning kits tend to have a shorter application period, with quick drying cleaners, whiteners, and water repellents.

If you’re searching for the easiest and fastest application method, stick with cleaning wipes that only take a few seconds to use, offering quality shoe refreshment anywhere.

Why You Should Trust Us

With years of experience in the fashion industry, particularly focusing on men’s style, streetwear, accessories, and luxury leather goods, Jane Elmets brings a depth of knowledge and expertise to the table that few can match. Jane’s articles are not just about trends; they’re about making informed decisions that enhance your style and meet your needs.

When it comes to choosing the best shoe cleaning kits for men, Jane applies the same rigorous selection process, combining her fashion insight with real-world testing to ensure the products recommended meet a high standard of quality, effectiveness, and style. Her commitment to providing valuable, practical advice makes her a trustworthy source for anyone looking to elevate their shoe care routine. Trust Jane Elmets to guide you to the best products that are tested, vetted, and sure to keep your footwear in top condition.

How I Chose the Best Shoe Cleaning Kits

To choose the shoe cleaning kits I was sure were the best, I went directly to the source: some of the world’s best shoe brands. They may not be the Nikes and Adidas’ of the world, but the brands on this list have perfected shoe making and, as a byproduct, shoe cleaning and maintenance, too.

Many of the brands on this list hand make their shoes, leading them to be intimately connected to keeping footwear fresh. Bringing expert products to the masses through these shoe cleaning kits, each of these companies has empowered the average Joe to make his shoes last as long as possible through genuine care and the proper supplies.

Final Verdict

Rather than ditching your dirty shoes, the best shoe cleaning kit helps you keep them looking like they just came out of the box. For the very best clean, opt for the Oliver Cabell Distressed Shoe Cleaning Kit, which offers high-end shoe cleaning and aftercare. If you’re seeking something simple, Jason Markk’s Shoe Cleaning Quick Wipes are easy to throw in your pocket and use on the go.