Running shoes aren't high maintenance, but they do require a little care and cleaning along the way. Your goal isn't to keep them minty fresh, you just need to keep muck and sweat from doing their worst:
- If you're a trail runner or a road runner who sometimes ventures off pavement, then dirt-caked outsoles can compromise traction.
- If your shoes' uppers are perpetually grimy, particles of dirt and grit can work their way into the mesh and fabric, grinding away like sandpaper.
- If your shoes' funky odor is beginning to offend even you, that can mess with your mojo.
What you'll need for cleaning your running shoes:
- An old toothbrush or an old vegetable brush—soft bristles are the key.
- A hose or utility sink.
- For uppers: a mild soap or, if the shoes have Gore-Tex® or another waterproof/breathable membrane, use a specialized footwear cleaner because soap or detergent additives can gum things up.
- For insoles: a mild soap, a paste of baking soda and water, or a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water.
Cleaning Running Shoe Outsoles
Not only are you revitalizing traction, you're also ensuring you won't accidentally transport an invasive species to a new area. Sole cleansing is simple:
- Let the outsoles dry completely.
- Give 'em a good, hard brushing (a brush with stiff bristles is OK to use).
- For stubbornly caked-on dirt: Grab a hose, then rinse and scrub until all the nooks and crannies come clean.
Cleaning Running Shoe Uppers
Cleaning uppers is a simple process:
- Remove the laces. (They can be placed in a mesh bag and run through the washing machine on a gentle cycle.)
- Remove the insoles/liners.
- Use a brush to gently remove dust and dirt from the uppers.
- Scrub them with a mild soap and water solution (or Gore-Tex-friendly cleaner).
- Rinse your shoes thoroughly with clean water.
Never put shoes in a washing machine because it can damage them.
If you have shoes with a waterproof/breathable membrane, this is a good time to renew the fabric's waterproofing.
Cleaning Running Shoe Insoles
Insoles absorb a lot of sweat, creating fertile ground for the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Clean them regularly to avoid this fate:
- Choose your potion: Whether it's the mild soap, the baking soda/water paste or the vinegar/water mix is a matter of personal preference.
- Scrub them, rinse them and allow them to air dry.
Drying Running Shoes
This is the easiest part of the whole process:
- Place shoes in a place that has a mild temperature and low humidity.
- For quicker drying, use a fan.
- You can also stuff newspaper or paper towels into the shoes to speed drying (change the paper whenever it becomes damp).
Never put shoes in a clothes dryer or near any heat source—high temperatures can distort their shape and weaken their adhesives.
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