You love your On Cloud shoes. That lightweight, bouncy feel is like nothing else. But after a few months of running errands, hitting the trails, or just daily wear, they start to look… less than fresh. Mud on the sides, grass stains on the mesh, and let's be honest, they might not smell like a field of flowers anymore. Your first instinct might be to toss them in the washing machine. Stop right there. That's the fastest way to ruin the very technology that makes them special. Washing On Cloud shoes correctly isn't hard, but it requires a specific approach to protect the engineered mesh, the CloudTec® cushioning pods, and the Speedboard®. I've cleaned dozens of pairs over the years, and I've seen the good, the bad, and the permanently damaged. This guide will walk you through the exact process, point out the subtle mistakes most people make, and show you how to keep your Clouds feeling like new for miles longer.
What You'll Learn in This Guide
Why You Can't Just Toss Them in the Washing Machine
I get it. The washing machine is easy. But with On Clouds, it's a gamble with terrible odds. The official stance from On Running is clear: hand wash only. Here's why, from a technical perspective most blogs miss.
The aggressive spinning and tumbling in a machine can physically crack or warp the hollow CloudTec® pods. Once that structure is compromised, the signature cushioning is gone forever. It's not just about looks; it's a performance death sentence. The mesh upper can also get stretched out or snagged on other items in the drum.
More insidiously, heat is the enemy. Even a warm water cycle or, worse, a dryer, can melt the adhesives that hold the shoe together and deform the Speedboard® (that stiff plate in the midsole). I've seen shoes come out of a "gentle" cycle with the outsole starting to peel and a permanent, weird twist in the chassis. The repair cost? More than a new pair.
The Real Cost of a "Quick" Machine Wash
Think of it this way: you're not just cleaning fabric. You're cleaning a precision-engineered piece of sports equipment. The washing machine treats it like a towel. The difference in outcome is as big as the difference between hand-washing a vintage watch and putting it through a dishwasher.
Step-by-Step: How to Hand Wash Your On Cloud Shoes
This method works for most On Cloud models, from the Cloudrunner to the Cloudventure. The key is gentleness and the right tools. Set aside about 45 minutes of hands-on time.
Gather Your Supplies First:
- Cold or lukewarm water – Never hot.
- A mild detergent – Liquid dish soap (like Dawn) or a dedicated sneaker cleaner (like Jason Markk or Reshoevn8r) works best. Avoid harsh detergents, bleach, or stain removers with solvents.
- Two soft-bristled brushes – One old toothbrush for tight spots and lugs, one larger brush (a horsehair detailing brush is perfect) for the upper.
- Microfiber cloths or old towels
- A bowl or small bucket
- Newspaper or paper towels (for drying)
Phase 1: The Pre-Clean & Prep
Remove the laces and insoles. This is non-negotiable. Wash laces separately in your soapy water. Insoles can be gently scrubbed by hand and rinsed. This allows you to clean the tongue area and the shoe interior thoroughly, which is where odor-causing bacteria love to live.
Knock off any dry, caked-on mud or dirt. Use your hand or a dry brush. Doing this before introducing water prevents you from making a muddy paste that grinds into the mesh.
Phase 2: The Gentle Hand Wash
Fill your bowl with cold water and add a small amount of detergent—think a teaspoon for dish soap. You don't need suds mountain.
Dip your larger soft brush into the soapy water and gently scrub the entire upper, midsole, and outsole. Use circular motions for the mesh. For the rubber outsole and Cloud pods, you can be a bit more firm to get grit out of the treads. Focus on stained areas but don't scrub the mesh like you're sanding wood. The goal is to lift dirt, not abrade the fibers.
Use the toothbrush for the tight spaces around the toe cap, the On logo, and between the Cloud pods. This is where dirt hides and makes shoes look old fast.
Never submerge the entire shoe in water. You don't want the interior foam core to get waterlogged. It takes forever to dry and can lead to mildew.
Phase 3: The Rinse & Initial Dry
This is the most critical part for preventing soap residue, which attracts more dirt.
Use a clean microfiber cloth soaked in cold, clean water to wipe away all the soap. Wring it out well and wipe repeatedly until no more suds appear. You might need to rinse the cloth several times. Some people recommend a very light, gentle stream of cold water, but I prefer the cloth method to better control water ingress.
Pat the shoes with a dry towel to absorb excess surface water. Don't wring or twist them.
The Biggest Mistake People Make (And How to Avoid It)
Everyone focuses on the wash. The real shoe-killer happens during the dry.
Never, ever put your On Clouds near direct heat to dry. No radiators, no hair dryers, no space heaters, and absolutely not in a clothes dryer. Not even "just for a few minutes." Heat warps and shrinks materials unpredictably.
Similarly, avoid direct, hot sunlight. UV rays can degrade and discolor the materials over time. A sunny windowsill on a summer day is an oven.
Here's the pro method that 90% of guides get wrong: stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper or paper towels. This isn't just for shape. The paper acts as a powerful moisture wick, pulling water from the inside foam and lining. Replace the soggy paper every few hours for the first day. It dramatically speeds up drying and prevents that damp, musty smell from setting in.
Place the shoes in a well-ventilated, room-temperature area. A fan circulating air in the room is great, but don't point it directly at the shoes. Expect them to take 24-48 hours to dry completely. Patience is part of the process.
Keeping That 'Cloud' Feeling: Post-Wash Care & Maintenance
Washing is reactive. Good care is proactive and makes washes less frequent and easier.
Deal with stains immediately. For fresh mud, let it dry completely, then brush it off. For grass stains, a dab of mild soap on a damp cloth applied directly to the stain before a full wash often does the trick.
Rotate your shoes. If you wear your On Clouds daily, give them a day off to air out. The moisture from your feet needs to evaporate. This alone extends the life of the interior materials and reduces odors.
Consider a sneaker protector spray (like Crep Protect or Jason Markk Repel) on clean, dry shoes. It creates an invisible barrier that causes water and dirt to bead up, making spot cleaning much easier. It won't make them waterproof for a storm, but it helps with daily spills and splashes.
Finally, know when to stop. If the outsole is bald and the cushioning is compressed, no amount of cleaning will restore the performance. You're just polishing a worn-out tool. For reference, most running shoes, including On Clouds, have a lifespan of 300-500 miles of running. For casual wear, it's longer, but the bounce does fade.
Your Top On Cloud Cleaning Questions Answered
Can I machine wash On Cloud shoes if I use a gentle cycle and cold water?
I strongly advise against it, and so does On. The "gentle" cycle isn't gentle on the internal structure. The risk of damaging the CloudTec pods or adhesives isn't worth the convenience. I've never met a shoe repair person who recommends machine washing any technical athletic shoe. The 30 minutes you save could cost you the shoes.
How do I get rid of really bad smells in my On Clouds?
Odor means bacteria. After washing and thoroughly drying, sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes and let it sit overnight, then vacuum it out. For persistent issues, use a UV shoe deodorizer or antimicrobial sprays designed for athletic gear. The key is ensuring the insoles and interior lining are completely dry after every wear—stuffing them with newspaper after a sweaty run helps a lot.
Can I use bleach or vinegar to whiten the mesh?
Do not use bleach. It will weaken the synthetic fibers and can cause yellowing. A diluted white vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) can be used sparingly as a deodorizing rinse, but test it on an inconspicuous area first. For general cleaning and whitening, mild soap and sunlight (indirect, during drying) are safer and effective for most discolorations.
The rubber part of my Cloudventure is stained from red clay. How do I clean that?
Red clay and dye stains on the rubber outsole or sidewalls can be tricky. Try using a pencil eraser on the dry stain first—it works surprisingly well for surface discoloration. If that fails, a paste made from baking soda and a tiny bit of water, applied with a soft brush, can act as a mild abrasive. Rinse thoroughly. Avoid harsh chemicals that might dry out or crack the rubber.
How often should I clean my On Cloud shoes?
Don't wait for them to be filthy. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth after a dusty or muddy day does wonders. A full hand wash like the one described is only needed every 1-2 months with regular wear, or after particularly grimy adventures. Over-washing can stress materials, so let visual cues, not a calendar, be your guide.
