How to Clean On Cloud Tennis Shoes and Keep Them White

Your white On Cloud tennis shoes looked perfect for about a week, right? Then came the scuffs, the grey tinge, and those tiny stones lodged in the sole. Cleaning them the wrong way can wreck the foam and glue, so this guide shows you how to clean On Cloud tennis shoes safely and keep them looking fresh.

For the bigger picture on models, fit and where to buy, our complete On Cloud tennis shoes guide covers all of it. This page stays focused on one job: cleaning and care done properly.

We handle these shoes every day, so we know exactly where they get dirty and what ruins them fastest. You’ll get a step-by-step method, the truth about the washing machine, how to keep white pairs white, and the debris trick every owner needs. No harsh chemicals, no risky shortcuts. Just the routine that actually works. Let’s get your pair looking new again.

What You Need Before You Start

Cleaning On Cloud shoes takes almost nothing fancy. The wrong tools cause most of the damage we see.

Grab a soft-bristle brush, an old toothbrush works well, plus mild soap or a gentle sneaker cleaner. You’ll also want lukewarm water, a microfibre cloth, and a thin tool like a key or a wooden skewer for the sole. Skip the bleach. Skip stiff wire brushes. Both do more harm than good on the mesh upper.

Here’s something we notice that most guides miss. The engineered mesh On uses is thin and abrasion-prone, so aggressive scrubbing frays it fast. Independent lab testing has shown the toebox fabric scuffs easily, scoring low on durability. That is why a soft touch matters more on these than on leather sneakers. Gentle and patient beats hard and quick every time.

The Step-by-Step Cleaning Method

Here’s the routine we recommend for the whole care guide, start to finish.

First, remove the laces and insoles. Wash the laces separately in soapy water, and wipe the insoles down by hand rather than soaking them. Next, knock off loose dirt by tapping the soles together outside and brushing away dry mud. Cleaning wet mud just smears it deeper into the mesh.

Now mix a little mild soap into lukewarm water. Dip your soft brush, then work in small circles across the upper, section by section. Go easy around the toe. For the midsole and rubber pods, a firmer scrub is fine because that rubber is genuinely tough.

Wipe away the soap with a damp microfibre cloth. Don’t drench the shoe. Excess water soaks into the foam and takes days to dry. Once clean, reshape the shoe with paper towel stuffed inside and let it air dry. That’s the core method, and it works on every model from the Cloud 6 to THE ROGER Clubhouse.

Can You Put On Cloud Shoes in the Washing Machine?

This is the question we get asked most, so let’s settle it clearly.

Technically you can, but we strongly advise against it. On does not recommend machine washing, and here’s why it matters. The heat and violent spinning stress the glue that holds the CloudTec pods and midsole together. Over time that weakens the bond and shortens the life of the shoe.

If you absolutely must machine wash, protect the shoe as much as possible. Use a laundry bag, cold water only, and the gentlest cycle your machine has. Add a couple of towels to cushion the tumbling. Then air dry, never in a tumble dryer. Even then, expect some wear to the foam.

My honest opinion? Hand cleaning takes ten minutes and protects your investment. The machine is a gamble that occasionally ruins a good pair. Since these shoes aren’t cheap, and our guide to whether On Cloud shoes are worth it explains the price, treating them gently just makes sense.

How to Keep White On Cloud Shoes White

White pairs are the bestsellers, and also the trickiest to maintain. The grey tinge creeps in fast without a little care.

For light marks, a paste of baking soda and water works beautifully. Dab it on with your brush, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean. For scuffs on the rubber midsole, a magic eraser lifts them right off. Test any cleaner on a small hidden spot first, just to be safe.

The real secret is frequency. A quick wipe every week beats a deep clean every month. Dirt that sits gets absorbed into the mesh and turns permanent. So the moment you spot a fresh mark, deal with it. Prevention keeps white shoes white far better than any miracle product.

One more tip we swear by. A spray-on fabric protector, applied when the shoes are new and clean, repels stains before they start. It buys you weeks of easy wiping instead of hard scrubbing.

Getting Stones Out of the CloudTec Soles

This is the quirk unique to On, and every owner hits it eventually. Those open cushioning pods trap small stones and grit.

Left alone, the debris rattles as you walk and wears the rubber unevenly. Worse, trapped grit can grind at the sole from the inside. So this isn’t just about noise, it affects how long the shoe lasts.

The fix is simple. Run a key, a flathead screwdriver, or a wooden skewer through each channel to pop the stones out. Do it every couple of weeks, or whenever you hear that telltale click. It takes thirty seconds and saves the sole. Getting the right fit helps here too, since a properly secured shoe picks up less debris, and our On Cloud sizing guide covers locking your foot in correctly.

For your next fresh pair, you can always browse the current colourways in our On Cloud tennis shoes collection once your old ones have had their day.

What This Routine Cannot Fix

Let me be straight, because cleaning has limits.

If your mesh upper is already frayed or torn, no amount of washing brings it back. The thin fabric is the weak point on these shoes, and once it splits, that’s structural. Cleaning also won’t restore foam that has yellowed deep in the material from age and UV exposure. Surface whitening helps, but oxidised foam is largely permanent.

Deep-set oil stains are another tough one. Grease bonds with mesh quickly, and even repeated gentle cleaning may only fade it, not remove it. I’d rather you know that upfront than scrub a hole through the toe chasing a stain that won’t budge.

So think of this routine as maintenance, not repair. It keeps a good pair looking great. It cannot undo real damage.

The Bottom Line on Cleaning On Cloud Shoes

So, how do you clean On Cloud tennis shoes without ruining them? Hand wash with a soft brush, mild soap and lukewarm water. Skip the machine, wipe white pairs often, and clear the sole channels regularly. Air dry every time, never with heat.

Do this little and often, and a good pair easily lasts a year or more of regular wear. Ready to refresh yours? Grab a soft brush and give them ten minutes this week. Your shoes will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wash On Cloud shoes in the washing machine?

You can, but we advise against it. The heat and spinning stress the glue holding the CloudTec pods, shortening the shoe’s life. Hand washing with mild soap and lukewarm water is far safer and takes about ten minutes.

How do I clean white On Cloud tennis shoes?

Use a baking soda and water paste for marks, and a magic eraser for scuffs on the rubber midsole. Wipe them weekly rather than deep cleaning monthly, because dirt that sits gets absorbed into the mesh and turns permanent.

How do I get stones out of On Cloud soles?

Run a key, skewer or flathead screwdriver through each CloudTec channel to pop the stones out. Do it every couple of weeks, or whenever you hear clicking, to stop the rubber wearing unevenly.

Can I put On Cloud shoes in the dryer?

No. Heat from a tumble dryer degrades the foam and glue. Always air dry, stuffing paper towel inside to hold the shape, and keep them away from radiators or direct sun.

How often should I clean my On Cloud shoes?

A quick wipe once a week is ideal. Frequent light cleaning prevents dirt from setting into the mesh, which keeps white pairs looking fresh and avoids the need for harsh scrubbing later.