How to Wash Running Shoes

With regular use, running shoes can become dirty and lack the vibrancy of color that they possessed when they were first purchased. However, it is possible to wash running shoes to remove the dirt and grime, restoring the original color and design of the shoes. Washing your shoes does not have to be a long and difficult task, although a hand wash is more beneficial to your shoes than using a washing machine.

However, prevention is key and it is much better to spot clean your shoe when necessary through wiping regularly with a wet cloth.

Can I Wash Running Shoes in the Washing Machine?

Washing your running shoes in the washing machine is not a recommended approach. If your running shoes are machine washed, soaking the adhesive and the fabric may result in damage to the shoes. The best method to adopt is to hand wash with a soft brush and warm, soapy water. However, it is possible to place your running shoes inside a laundry bag and place inside the washing machine on a gentle cycle, if you desire.

To clean running shoes, remove the insoles, and remove the laces. It is recommended that each part of the shoe is washed separately. Take a bucket and fill it with warm water, adding up to 1 fluid ounce of detergent and mixing well. With a dry paper towel, wipe any lumps of mud or debris away from your shoes, placing one hand inside of the shoe to attain a secure grip. You should then dip your soft brush into the warm, soapy water.

Gently scrub the bottom of the shoes, taking a wet sponge to rinse away any soap bubbles. Take your soft brush again and gently scrub the upper sections of the shoes, once again rinsing away bubbles with a wet sponge. Ensure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions first, however, to be certain that the materials used in the running shoes are safe to be wet and cleaned with soapy water.

Materials such as suede may require specific cleaning materials. Using a toothbrush and the soapy water mixture, gently clean the insoles, although ensure that you do not saturate the insoles as they may lose their shape. When cleaning your shoelaces, however, you can soak the material and ensure that the laces are cleaned fully.

Your clean shoes should then be allowed to air dry, stuffing the inside of each shoe with dry paper towels to help absorb the moisture. This will also help to retain the shape of the shoes. It is important to allow the shoes to air dry fully, ensuring that they are not places in direct sunlight or close to a radiator as excess, intense heat can cause damage to the shoe.

Once fully air dried, use some baking soda and sprinkle some inside of the shoe, enabling excess odors and moisture to be absorbed in full. Your shoes will then be ready for you to use when going for a run.

Are Nike Running Shoes Machine Washable?

Nike does not officially recommend that you wash your Nike running shoes in a machine wash. Nike endorses that you should wash their running shoes by hand, using a soft brush and warm, soapy mixture.

How do you Clean Muddy Running Shoes?

If you are wondering how to wash running shoes that are covered in mud after a particularly wet run, then the process is still the same. A hand wash is the best option as opposed to cleaning shoes in the washing machine. However, after your run, you should remove any hard lumps of mud and dirt with dry paper towels to begin the process of getting your shoes clean.

You should then follow the same process of removing the insole and the laces and washing each part of the shoe separately. However, to clean running shoes that are particularly muddy, use a mixture using one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of hot water, creating a paste.

You should then work the paste into the shoe using the soft brush, or a toothbrush, Once the shoes are covered with the baking soda paste, leave them to dry. Once fully dried, brush away the residue and rinse with a wet sponge or cloth. This process is perfect for muddy shoes and should leave your shoes should be considerably cleaner.