How to Clean Running Shoes

Here’s a little TLC for your favorite.

Running shoes are inseparable part for runner. It holds our feet tight during our training and race days, our lovely pairs exposed to everything that are potentially drabbling, from sweat, weather, and environment conditions such as clay track, puddle, to mud. It’s time to give back. All those dirt is likely to worn-out your shoes before they really are. Take some of your time to clean your shoes, it will not only make your shoes better in appearance but also add the durability. 

Taken from www.asics.com, here are some guidelines to clean your running shoes: 

1. Clean the dirt right away.

After finishing your running activities such as trail run, clean the dirt such as mud and sands right away before it goes hardened. Use second-hand toothbrush, lukewarm water, and gentle soap. After cleaning, dry it up using wet or damp cloth.

2. Remove the insole.

If possible, remove the sock liner or insole and clean it separately. It helps the inner part of shoes cleaner and fresher. Also remove the laces and clean it separately.

3. Dry it naturally.

Don’t dry your shoes in the direct sunlight. It will change the shape of shoes. In the other hand, open the tongue and put kitchen paper or used newspaper. Paper will absorb the humidity inside the shoes. It generally takes 12 hours before your shoes naturally dried.   

To optimize the clean-up process, follow these additional tips taken from www.support.newbalance.com: 

1. Choose the right cleaning products.

Like special suede cleaner for suede shoes, if you want a special cleaner products, choose cleaner comprised of silicone material to prevent any damage to your shoes.

2. Use special spray made for shoes.

Shoes odor is absolutely no-no. To eliminate and prevent odor, use special spray made for shoes.

3. Refrain from washing machine.

Generally, cleaning your shoes by put it on washing machine is not recommended because there are materials that can’t be exposed to heat and shouldn’t be soak under water. However, you should follow the cleaning instructions made for your shoes. Several types of shoes are safe for washing machine.

 If you run a lot, it’s a good idea to own more than one pair of running shoes. You can replace your shoes with another while cleaned and dried.