Footwear cleaning apparatus includes a receptacle well filled with a cleaning solution and a rotating brush. The rotating brush is supported by telescoping stems that extend and retract the rotating brush. In one embodiment, retracting a cover for the receptacle well activates the rotating brush, thus allowing a user to clean the sole of the footwear. In another embodiment, a sensor senses the presence of a user and automatically activates the rotating brush and telescoping stems for the apparatus to be used.