Buying the best shoe cleaning kit is arguably the only way to keep your sneaker collection looking spotless over time.
As a sneaker fan, we appreciate that it can be tricky keeping your shoes clean. For example, knowing how to clean your Air Force 1s or Jordan 1s is a good start, but without the right tools for the job, you're unlikely to come away with pristine results.
That's where the best shoe cleaning kits come in. You can use a cleaning kit to remove tough dirt and stains from the surface of your shoes, allowing you to maintain their condition as if you just unboxed them.
You'll often get a dedicated sneaker-cleaning solution inside, perhaps one of the best leather cleaners around, plus a brush or cloth to work the formula into your shoes and scrub away any noticeable marks.
Some sets even include wipes and, on occasion, erasers to give you a quick and easy way of removing dirt from your trainers without having to go through an entire cleaning process.
With all this in mind, we've picked out what we believe to be the best cleaning kits based on their price, reviews, plus the selection of products included in each set.
From kits packed full of cleaning gear, like Crep Protect's Ultimate set, to one of the best suede cleaners for shoes we've found in this Jason Markk Premium collection, we've got you covered right here.
Let's get into it...
Best shoe cleaning kit
- Best all-round shoe cleaning kit - Crep Protect Ultimate
- Best suede shoe cleaning kit - Jason Markk Premium Suede Cleaning Kit
- Best leather shoe cleaning kit - Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Care Kit
- Best budget shoe cleaning kit - COZGO Sneaker Cleaning Kit
- Best natural shoe cleaning kit - Jason Markk Essential
Best all-round shoe cleaning kit - Crep Protect Ultimate
We're kicking things off with this Crep Protect Ultimate set as it comes packed full of dedicated sneaker cleaning products.
Firstly, you get Crep Protect's entire Cure range. This includes a microfibre cloth, a soft-bristled brush, plus a 98% natural soap solution which Crep Protect say is effective at lifting dirt, marks, and grime from your sneakers.
Read More: Best sneaker protector sprays
The kit also contains 12 dedicated shoe-cleaning wipes for when you just want to freshen up the exterior of your sneakers, as well as a 5oz. bottle of Crep Protect's Rain & Stain Protector.
On the whole, this set really does have everything you need to clean your entire shoe collection, 50 pairs to be exact according to Crep Protect. As it features a natural solution as well, you should find it suitable to use on any material.
Best suede shoe cleaning kit - Jason Markk Premium Suede Cleaning Kit
Cleaning a range of materials is one thing, but when it comes to suede, we feel it pays to have something like this Jason Markk cleaning kit that's made specifically for cleaning what is a notoriously tricky material to tackle at the best of times.
Inside this 2-in-1 pack is a soft-bristled suede brush which you should find gently cleans the surface of your shoes without damaging the buttery nap of the material.
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It also contains a suede eraser designed to effectively remove tough dirt from suede without causing any damage. Simply rub the eraser onto the problem area and you should find the eraser lifts and removes the dirt from the surface. Check out our guide to cleaning suede shoes for more on this.
Ultimately, we believe this Jason Markk set is well worth checking out if you're struggling to clean your suede sneaker collection.
Best leather shoe cleaning kit - Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Care Kit
Although a little easier to clean than suede, we feel it's also worth considering a dedicated leather cleaning kit, like this Weimann Care set, to keep your array of leather trainers, such as Air Force 1s or Jordans, looking fresh.
This set, in particular, features a multi-action formula set of wipes which, according to Weimann, can effectively remove dirt from a range of different leather surfaces, not just sneakers, meaning it can also be used on sofas, handbags, and even leather car interiors.
Read More: Best leather shoe conditioners
One of the big bonuses of this kit though is it contains a leather conditioner. Not only should this restore moisture to your sneakers, but Weimann boasts it contains UVX-15 sunscreen to protect all types of leather from sun damage, fading, drying, and cracking.
To top it off, it appears you even get an accompanying cloth to apply the conditioner as well. All in all, a pretty stacked cleaning kit.
Best budget shoe cleaning kit - COZGO Shoe Cleaner Kit
Shoe cleaning kits aren't overly expensive generally speaking. However, if you're really limited by your budget, then we'd recommend checking out this COZGO sneaker cleaning kit.
It contains what we believe are the essentials - a brush, a microfibre towel, and a shoe-cleaning solution.
Read More: Best suede protectors for shoes
Starting with the 5.3oz. foam cleaner, COZGO says it contains active ingredients to clean your shoes and also prevent oxidative yellowing, washing, or fading. None of the ingredients should damage your trainers though as the formula is designed to be washed away without using water.
The brush should come in handy during the cleaning process as you can use it to scrub any tough stains, plus the addition of the towel gives you something to wipe away any excess residue thereafter. On the whole, a solid option to consider in our opinion.
Best natural shoe cleaning kit - Jason Markk Essential
We're rounding our list off not far from where we started with this Jason Markk Essential cleaning set.
You only get a cleaning solution and brush with this kit. However, this set's biggest upside, at least in our opinion, is that the formula is 98.3% natural, completely biodegradable, and should be safe to use on all colours and materials.
This means you will likely be able to clean your entire sneaker collection, regardless of the materials, with this kit. In fact, Jason Markk claims you can clean up to 100 pairs of shoes thanks to the 4oz. bottle of shoe cleaner.
It may not come with a ton of additional cleaning tools, but if you're after an almost all-natural sneaker cleaning kit, we feel it's hard to look past this Jason Markk set.
Frequently asked questions about shoe cleaning kits
There tend to be a ton of questions when trying to figure out what shoe-cleaning kit to buy. Don't worry though, we've answered some of the most commonly asked queries right here.
What products do you need in a shoe cleaning kit?
We'd say the main product needed in a shoe cleaning kit is a dedicated sneaker cleaning formula.
What this provides is a cleaning solution that you know will not damage your sneakers, providing you opt for one that's safe to use on the material of the shoes in question.
You can, of course, make your own cleaning formula; however, you run the risk of causing long-term damage to your trainers, especially if you use any harsh chemicals.
Another essential item we'd recommend looking out for would be some sort of soft-bristled brush or cloth. Having one gives you something to work the cleaning formula into your shoes and scrub away any dirt and stains.
We'd say those are the two essential items needed in a cleaning kit. However, you may also benefit by going for something that contains sneaker wipes, for example, to provide a quick and easy way to clean surface stains, or perhaps something with its own towel.
Also, while you're unlikely to find these in a cleaning kit, you may also benefit from acquiring shoe horns or perhaps a set of the best shoe crease protectors to help your sneakers maintain their shape, especially when it comes to leather shoes.
How much should you spend on a shoe cleaning kit?
There's no clear-cut answer to this question as shoe cleaning kits can vary in price, so how much you spend will come down to your available budget and what you're willing to invest to keep your shoes clean.
That said, shoe cleaning kits aren't overly expensive in the first place, meaning you shouldn't have to break the bank to pick up a great set.
However, if you do decide to spend a little extra, then you should get more for your cash. For instance, you may get a 5oz. bottle of cleaning solution over a 3oz. bottle, plus you might end up with an extra cloth or a set of sneaker wipes.
You can also find these additions with some budget options as well though.
How often should you clean your shoes?
There isn't really a set timeframe on how often you should be cleaning your shoes as it really depends on how often you wear them as well as where you wear them.
For instance, if you wear a pair of Air Max down an off-road path, you'll probably want to remove some of the dirt almost as soon as you get home to avoid it drying and staining your sneakers.
When it comes to sportswear, you'll likely benefit from cleaning your trainers regularly, perhaps even after every use, as you're bound to pick up a ton of dirt outdoors that will affect their traction according to sports shoe manufacturer Brooks.
However, for shoes that you wear occasionally and only in town or city centres, it's unlikely you'll need to clean them as often.
Ultimately, we'd recommend cleaning your shoes as and when you feel they need freshening up. This goes for the insides too as bacteria can build up the more you wear them.
Can you use baking soda to clean your shoes?
Baking soda is a common household item and yet makes for a particularly great shoe-cleaning product, especially for white sneakers.
You can't just add baking soda to your shoes though, you'll need to create a paste first.
To do this, mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water, then mix together whilst making sure the paste isn't too watery.
Once combined, dip your brush into the solution and begin to work the surface of your shoes in circular motions. This should prove effective for removing stains.