How to Clean Filas

Co-authored by Marc Sigal and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References

Fila is a sportswear brand widely known for their sneakers. In the event that your shoes get dirty or stained, Fila’s official website suggests only wiping down their shoes with soap and water. If these cleaning tips don’t work for you, test out some more general cleaning suggestions for leather and mesh that aren’t officially recommended or supported by Fila.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Soap and Water for Basic Cleaning

1
Squeeze a pea-sized amount of gentle soap on a washcloth. Soak a rag with warm water, then wring it out over a sink. You can use dish soap for this, if you’d like.^{[1]
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- Only use soaps with a “gentle” or “delicate” label, and never use harsh detergents.
2
Wipe down your shoe with the soapy rag. Focus on especially dirty sections, like the outsole, midsole, and outer surface of the shoe. Apply a gentle amount of force until your shoes begin looking clean again.^{[2]
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Tip: While it isn’t officially recommended on Fila’s website, some people have successfully used a soft-bristled cleaning brush in tandem with soapy water to clean off their shoes.^{[3]
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3
Let your shoes air-dry completely before you wear them. Find a cool, dry place to keep your shoes where they won’t be exposed to humidity and moisture. Leave your shoes in this spot for a day or so, or until they feel dry to the touch.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- To help your shoes dry faster, try stuffing them with newspaper.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
4
Avoid putting your shoes in the washing machine. Note that many Fila shoes are made with some variety of leather, which doesn’t make them ideal candidates for the washer. If you put these sneakers in the wash, there’s a good chance that they won’t last as long.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- Leather shoes and water don't mix. Water can actually shrink leather.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Tough Stains

1
Use white vinegar and water to wipe away tough stains. Mix 2 cups (470 mL) of water and 2 cups (470 mL) of white vinegar in a bowl together. Dip a cleaning cloth into the mixture and start wiping down the surface of your Fila shoes. After coating the surface of your sneakers with the vinegar, scrub it off with the washcloth.^{[8]
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- Vinegar works best on recent stains.
2
Spot treat nylon mesh with baking soda and vinegar. Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and baking soda together in a small container or bowl. Rub the mixture over your shoes with a washcloth and let the cleaning solution sit for 15 minutes. Use some elbow grease to rub down the area in question, then use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any residue.^{[9]
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- If your shoes are especially dirty, try using a dry, soft-bristled brush to get rid of any obvious dirt clinging to the shoes.
3
Choose a specialized sneaker cleaner to wipe down your shoes. Visit a shoe store or check online for bottles of cleaner designed specifically for sneakers. Use the provided brush to coat your Filas, then follow the bottle’s instructions to see when you can wipe off the cleaner.^{[10]
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- Compare the shoebox and the cleaner to ensure that the cleaner is safe to use on your Filas.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Polishing and Protecting Filas

1
Apply a coat of leather polish to your shoes once they’re clean. Pour a small, grape-sized amount of leather polish onto a small washcloth. Rub the polish over the entire surface of your leather Filas. Once you’re done, use a soft, flannel cloth to buff and polish your shoes.^{[11]
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2
Make your leather shinier with a small amount of skin moisturizer. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of unscented moisturizer on a towel or rag, then work it into the surface of your Fila shoes. Focus on any portion of your shoes that look dull or scuffed up.^{[12]
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- Once you’ve rubbed in the lotion, you don’t need to wipe or rinse it out of your footwear.
- There are also special leather conditioners you can use to keep your shoes hydrated and prevent cracking.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
3
Use special wipes to protect your Filas when you’re on-the-go. Search online or in a shoe store for a package of shoe wipes, which you can use in the event of spills or other messes. If you spill something on your Filas by accident, use a wipe to clean your shoes off quickly.^{[14]
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- If you don’t have any shoe wipes, use makeup removing towelettes instead.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can I wash my Filas?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It's really not a good idea to wash sneakers, tennis shoes, or any leather footwear, so the answer is no. If you can machine-wash your Filas, it should say so on the tag inside of your shoe. Still, it's going to be much safer to clean your Filas by hand if you care about how long your shoes last.