If you love your Toms as much as we love ours, you probably want them to last. Fortunately, cleaning Toms isn't difficult - but it does take some TLC. Follow our tips for how to clean your Toms, and your favorite shoes will be Instagram-worthy for a good, long time.
Spot-Cleaning for Toms
One of the best ways to keep your Toms clean is to spot-clean stains as they arise. Use the following methods for spot-cleaning your shoes.
| Stain | Use | Do This |
| Mud & dirt | Dish soap | Brush away dirt. |
| Oil | Baking soda | Absorb oil with baking soda. |
| Grass stains | Fels Naptha | Rub toothbrush over bar. |
Handwash Canvas & Mesh Toms
If spot cleaning still leaves your shoes dingy, it's time to wash them. For cleaning canvas and mesh shoes, the Toms website recommends handwashing in cold water.
Materials
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Magic Eraser
- Old toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
Instructions
- Spot clean stained areas.
- Remove the shoelaces and brush away any dried dirt.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to cold water and dampen a microfiber cloth. Use it to scrub the shoes.
- For tough stains, mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and apply the mixture. Scrub with a toothbrush, and let it sit for 30 minutes before wiping the entire shoe with a clean, damp cloth. Air dry.
- Scrub the soles of the shoes with a Magic Eraser.
Can You Throw Canvas & Mesh Toms in the Washer?
The Toms website doesn't recommend submerging your Toms in water since it can ruin the shape of the canvas shoe. However, if hand washing isn't your thing, you can try to put your canvas shoes in the washer, but you have to be cautious or you could damage the shoe. Spot clean first and use a Magic Eraser to scrub the soles. Then, wash in a mesh bag or pillow case in cold water on gentle cycle. Air dry.
How to Clean Leather & Suede Toms
You can't clean leather shoes the same way as your canvas or mesh Toms. They require a special hand, because you don't want to ruin the leather. So, the Toms website lets you know what you can and can't use. Don't submerge them in water or put them in the wash. Instead, brush away dirt, wipe with a microfiber cloth, and use a suede or leather cleaner as directed on the packaging. You can clean the sole with a Magic Eraser.
Dry Toms Perfectly Every Time
No matter what type of Toms you have, you DO NOT want to put them in the dryer, which will damage the shoes' adhesive and make them lose their shape. Air dry your Toms with paper towels stuffed in the toe to help them keep their shape.
Deodorize Your Toms
Nobody wants stinky shoes, but any shoe you wear with a bare foot (or sometimes even stockinged feet) is going to eventually develop odor. To deodorize, make an odor-absorbing powder from 1 cup each cornstarch and baking soda and 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Sprinkle it in the shoes and let them sit overnight. Dump or vacuum the powder out before you wear the shoes.
Help combat stink in shoes by wearing socks and also apply powder to your feet.
Keep Your Toms Clean
You love your Toms. Thank goodness they're easy to clean. Keep your shoes clean and looking sharp by spot-treating stains and giving them a good cleaning when they look a little dingy.
