How to Clean Your Running Shoes

During training and competitions with the Urban Runners, we've heard quite different opinions on how to clean your running shoes.

And you, what's your style? Do you like them clean, dirty, or do you only wash them when they're already too soiled?

How to Care for and Clean Your Sports Footwear

During training and competitions with the Urban Runners, we've heard quite different opinions on whether to clean running shoes and how to do it. Some refuse to wash them, while others have put them in the washing machine because they want them spotless. And in the middle ground, there are those who only wash them when they see they have too much dirt...

It's important to remember that we often don't realize that dirt can make our shoes look worn or old before they actually are. So we have two important reasons to wash your shoes: to keep them and our feet in better condition, and for our personal aesthetics and image. With a bit of luck, you'll also extend their lifespan.

4 immediate recommendations to extend the life of your shoes

a) Do not put them in the washing machine!!!
b) Do not tumble dry them either!!!
c) Avoid using bleach or certain chemicals!!!
d) The key: Use fewer products and be more consistent with cleaning.

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Cleaning Tips for Your Running Shoes

First of all, it is recommended to loosen the laces, or remove them directly; as well as taking out the insoles. In a basin, tub, or saucepan, combine lukewarm water with a little laundry detergent or dish soap.

Stir until you have a slightly soapy mixture. You can also scrub them with a scourer. For example, one of those yellow and green ones for washing dishes, or a similar one. A cloth, or a very soft brush, will also work. The important thing is to choose something that won't scratch the surface, or get caught on the upper.

To clean the Upper or top part: Dip the sponge, cloth, or scourer in the soapy water and rub it over the affected areas of your shoes.

For cleaning the insoles, the steps are the same: lukewarm water with detergent, and scrub gently until all dirt is removed.

Outsole: Remove excess dirt with a soft-bristled brush, an old toothbrush, or a dishwashing sponge scourer. These will always be more effective than a simple cloth. You read that right, an old toothbrush is very useful for cleaning a lot of things in your home, in this case, your footwear. Apply a small amount of lukewarm water to another soft cloth to remove excess applied detergent. Or, better yet, rinse the shoes under an open tap.

Another trick, if you want to polish the sole, add a little baking soda to the mixture; this is especially effective for white soles.

Cleaning the Laces

Dirty or unsightly laces can ruin your most athletic look. Plus, washing laces is very convenient. They are the only element of running footwear that you can put in the washing machine. To prevent them from getting tangled with each other, or with the rest of the clothes you're washing, it's best to put them inside a laundry bag, or for example, inside a pillowcase. You also have to be practical: if your laces are old or very dirty, it's better to replace them with new ones.

Drying Shoes

For proper maintenance of your shoes, let them air dry at room temperature. It's best to avoid direct sun exposure. In very hot areas, it's better to put them in the shade. Do the same with the insoles; you must let them dry completely before putting them back in the shoes. Let them dry naturally. Do not put the shoes on a radiator, stove, next to a fireplace, or near other heat sources. Shoes are made with fabrics and plastic materials that could burn or deform, in addition to losing basic properties for their correct performance, such as elasticity.

What Products Not to Use to Wash Shoes

Putting your shoes in the washing machine can be harmful to both the shoes and the washing machine. Aggressive chemical products like bleach, KH-7 cleaner... are very effective for cleaning tiles, but they are too aggressive for shoe materials.

They can alter or eat away at the upper mesh and/or adhesives. This will cause the shoes to lose their properties. If you are a lover of neatness and prefer ecological cleaning products or homemade remedies, you can find many formulas to clean and whiten your shoes with less aggressive products, such as: toothpaste, baking soda, coarse salt, vinegar...

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Running in the rain, or after it has rained, will quickly make your shoes dirty, especially if you do it on dirt. So, to keep them clean, the best thing you can do is wet them immediately after training or competition, even if it's just with water.

Removing stains from your sports shoes as soon as possible is essential to prevent them from penetrating textile fibers and becoming permanent. On a daily basis, if you don't intend to wash your shoes right after using them, we recommend putting them in an airy place so they can dry properly.

Another thing you can do is put a ball of paper inside to better dry the internal moisture. So far, we've talked about how to clean running shoes, which are usually made with technical mesh materials bonded to different plastic materials. These tips would also apply to canvas casual or sportswear shoes, which are so commonly used in summer.

Cleaning Suede Shoes

Cleaning suede shoes is a different matter, as it is a much more delicate material and can deteriorate if rubbed too hard. In this case, you can use a damp cloth with a little ammonia or one of the products sold in shoe stores or supermarkets specialized in suede cleaning. As you can see, these are very simple and easy-to-follow tips.

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