Cleaning FAQ
Can dry cleaners clean shoes and trainers?
Most dry cleaners aren't set up to deep clean shoes or trainers, as dry cleaning is designed for fabric garments. High-street repair shops handle heels and soles but rarely material-safe deep cleaning. A specialist footwear service like Clean 'Em is the safer, more thorough option.
Why dry cleaners usually can't help
Dry cleaning uses chemical solvents designed for garments, not the mix of leather, suede, mesh, rubber, and foam that makes up a shoe or trainer. Most dry cleaners will politely decline trainers, or only offer a quick surface wipe that won't touch yellowed midsoles, ingrained dirt, or odour.
High-street repair chains are excellent for re-heeling, re-soling, and key cutting, but deep cleaning suede boots, white trainers, or designer pairs is a different specialism with different equipment and products.
What a specialist service does instead
A dedicated footwear cleaner treats the upper, midsole, and outsole separately, matches the method to each material, and treats stains and odour at the source. Suede and nubuck are worked dry or low-moisture, leather is cleaned and conditioned, and white midsoles are brightened.
With Clean 'Em you also get a free authentication check and tracked shipping both ways, so you don't need a good shop nearby. You post your pair (or use Reading pickup) and it comes back deep cleaned for a flat £60.
Book the Clean 'Em deep clean
Flat £60, free tracked shipping both ways, and a free authentication check, anywhere in the UK.