How to Clean Golden Goose Sneakers Without Ruining the Finish
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Golden Goose arrive looking lived in. The scuffed toe, the smudged sole and the tea-stained laces are all done by hand on purpose. That changes how you clean them: the aim is to lift real dirt and protect the material, not to make them look new. Scrub too hard and you remove the very finish you paid for.
The short answer: never put Golden Goose in the washing machine. Brush off dry dirt, wipe leather with a barely damp cloth, treat suede only when dry, and let them air dry away from heat.
What you need
- A soft brush (a clean, soft toothbrush works for small areas)
- A suede brush and suede eraser, if your pair has suede
- Two soft cloths and a little mild soap or a gentle sneaker cleaner
- Paper to stuff the shoes while they dry
- A suede protector spray for after
Step by step: leather uppers
- Take out the laces so you can reach the tongue and eyelets.
- Brush off dry dirt first. Wiping wet mud spreads it.
- Wipe with a barely damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, in small circles. Avoid the distressed patches at the toe and heel, where the finish is painted on.
- Wipe again with clean water, then dry with a soft cloth.
Smooth leather pairs like the Ball Star Leather or the Super-Star with suede star are the easiest to keep tidy. Work around the star if it is suede.
Step by step: suede
Suede and water do not mix. Always let suede dry completely before you touch it.
- Brush in one direction with a suede brush to lift the nap.
- Rub marks gently with a suede eraser, then brush again.
- Spray with a suede protector once it is clean and dry. Do this before the first wear too.
This applies to pairs like the Suede Ball Star, the Waxed Suede Low Top and the suede star on most Super-Stars. If suede gets soaked in Galway rain, stuff the shoes with paper and let them dry slowly at room temperature, then brush.
Glitter and metallic details
Glitter uppers and heel tabs, like the Ball Star Glitter Suede, only need a soft dry brush and a light wipe. Do not rub hard or use solvents, which can dull the surface or lift the edges.
Laces and soles
- Laces: hand wash in warm soapy water and air dry. They are dyed to look vintage, so do not bleach them.
- Soles: a damp cloth on the rubber sidewall is enough. Leave the deliberately smudged areas alone.
- Inside: air them out overnight after wearing rather than spraying anything inside.
What not to do
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Washing machine | Warps the shape and soaks the leather and suede |
| Radiator or hairdryer | Heat cracks leather and hardens suede |
| Bleach or strong cleaners | Strips the hand-applied finish |
| Hard scrubbing on the distressing | Removes the design you paid for |
For wider advice on looking after leather and suede, read our leather and suede care guide.
FAQ
Can you put Golden Goose in the washing machine?
No. Machine washing can warp the shoe and damage leather and suede. Clean by hand only.
Will cleaning remove the distressed look?
Not if you clean gently and avoid scrubbing the painted areas at the toe, heel and sole.
How often should I clean them?
Brush them after muddy days and give them a proper clean every few weeks of regular wear. Re-spray suede every month or so in winter.
Where can I see the full range?
Browse all Golden Goose sneakers, the suede styles or our wider designer trainers edit, or call into our boutique in Galway.