How to Clean Bitis Shoes at Home: 4 Simple Steps

Bitis sneakers are everyday shoes for millions in Vietnam, so picking up dirt is almost guaranteed. Most Bitis models use mesh or synthetic uppers with cemented soles — meaning a wrong washing routine does not just get dirty again quickly, it can also open up the glue line. The four steps below clean the pair properly without causing damage.

Before you start: three things to keep in mind

• Soft brushes only: stiff bristles fuzz up the mesh and scratch synthetic panels. An old toothbrush works well for tight spots.
• No harsh chemicals: bleach and multipurpose cleaners discolor and wear down the upper. A dedicated shoe cleaner or mild soap is all you need.
• Do not soak the shoes: leaving the whole pair in water for hours lets moisture seep into the glue layer between sole and upper — the most common cause of detached soles.

Step 1: Get ready

Remove the laces and insoles to wash them separately. Prepare: a bowl of warm water, a dedicated shoe cleaner (or 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap mixed into about half a liter of water), a soft-bristle brush, a cotton towel, and ink-free white paper.

Step 2: Wash the insoles and laces separately

Insoles collect the most sweat. Soak them in the solution for a few minutes, scrub gently with the soft brush, then rinse clean under running water. Soak the laces in the same bowl and squeeze them by hand to release the dirt — no hard scrubbing needed — then wring them out and hang them to dry.

Step 3: Scrub the upper and the sole

• Tap the two shoes together (or gently knock the soles on the ground) to shake out grit stuck in the tread.
• Dip the soft brush into the solution and scrub the upper in circular motions, 2–3 passes per area; give the toe box and sole edge extra attention, as they get dirtiest.
• The rubber outsole tolerates more pressure — use a stiffer brush or a purpose-made eraser for stubborn marks.
• Wipe everything down with a well-wrung damp cloth to remove soap residue — soap left in the fabric dries into blotchy streaks.

Step 4: Dry the right way

Stuff the shoes with ink-free white paper to hold their shape and absorb moisture, then leave them in a shaded, ventilated spot for about a day until fully dry. Avoid three things:

• Direct sunlight: heat yellows the mesh and cracks synthetic panels.
• Dryers or hair dryers: concentrated heat opens the glue line.
• Washing machines: the strong spin cycle and large water volume are the classic causes of Bitis soles separating from the upper.

Deodorizing the insoles

Everyday shoes can smell stale even after a proper wash. Place about a cup of baking soda in a sealed container, put both dry shoes inside, close the lid and leave for 24 hours, then shake and gently tap out all the powder before wearing. For long-standing heavy odor, replacing the insoles works better than repeating deodorizing rounds.

When should you send your shoes to EXTRIM?

Heavy mud, stubborn insole odor that survives repeated treatments, a sole that is starting to lift, or yellowed uppers — home treatment usually fails on these and risks making them worse. EXTRIM's shoe cleaning and spa service treats each material properly: deep cleaning at 150,000 VND per pair, heavy-soil cleaning at 200,000 VND, 3-pair combo at 399,000 VND (2026 reference rates); lifted glue gets reinforced or re-cemented before the pair is returned.

👉 Send photos of your Bitis pair for a condition check

Public Cases

Photos in this article illustrate the process — they are not a before–after record with a public case code. EXTRIM does not use illustrative images to promise results for every pair.