Who decided that sneaker soles — the part of your shoes that spends all of its time on the grimy floor — should be white? (We'd like a word.) It's only natural that they get filthy over time. Sure, you could clean them with vinegar, but who wants to walk around smelling like a house salad? That's where SneakErasers come in. These pre-moistened, dual-sided sponges easily tackle pesky scuff marks and dirt, and they're just over $1 each at Amazon.
Amazon
This shoe-cleaning kit has everything you need to keep your favorite pair of kicks looking fresh. The sponges naturally disintegrate as they work out those smudges.
A gentle rub is all you need for maximum cleaning power. And if the sponges begin to dry while you're buffing your grimy Nikes back to their fresh-from-the-box glory, simply add a bit of water to reactivate them. Before you know it, you'll be literally glowing up, whether you're running errands or jogging around the neighborhood.
SneakErasers are the brainchild of college roommates-turned-entrepreneurs who realized the hard way how critical clean sneakers are when you're pitching million-dollar ideas to C-suites. (Yes, you can now pitch in sneakers — another reason you should keep them clean.) From humble beginnings in a garage sprang this mighty sponge, which made it to Shark Tank and is now Amazon's No. 1 bestselling shoe cleaner.
You've got clean soles and everybody knows, thanks to SneakErasers. (Amazon)
Almost 7,000 Amazon shoppers give SneakerErasers a perfect rating.
This reviewer (now a converted skeptic) wrote, "I was expecting this to be another hyped product that did not live up to its name and marketing. Wow, I was wrong... I have used it now on seven sneakers and shoes and it works extremely well. I've only tried it around the edges of white or light brown shoes, but each time it was amazing how much dirt it took off."
"Sneakers look like new!" echoed another footloose fan. "I hate getting scuffs/dirt from normal city wear and tear, and although my shoes are well-loved, they don't look like it! I used them on my Vans and Converse — so satisfying to erase all the grind! I find these are more effective than spray cleaners or magic erasers; you can tell they are made specifically for shoes and shoe materials."
And what about SneakErasers' portability? Said a happy buyer: "I love the fact that these came pre-moistened and they're ultra easy to keep in the bag or in the car for quick use. Very solid to have in a pinch!"
Another reviewer said this is one of the few sneaker cleaners that stays intact: "I used one to clean the soles of three pairs of shoes and it did not come apart at all. I will be able to keep it and use it again in the future."
One shopper said that while these "work great" at cleaning sneakers, they wish they came "in different sizes." A final user said they "work best on surface-level dirt and scuffs, but don't do much for tougher stains or fabric areas."
Amazon
At just over $1 a pop, why not try them out yourself?
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
