How To Clean Running Shoes? We Have 5 Easy Steps To Help You.
When it comes to running, you probably do so often, perhaps almost every day. From running on asphalt to beach sand to dirt trails, you enjoy the challenge in all sorts of different workouts, as means of becoming a better runner. Really, you would not trade the world for anything, as means of pushing yourself to be the best that you can be.
That said, due to the high amount of running every day, your running shoes have probably gotten dirtied in the process. It is no surprise, just because they go through a lot of wearing and tearing with each mile you do, let alone each dirt trail you run on. They appear now to look as if they had gone through some kind of dust storm, filled with plenty of dirt inside and out.
Considering that you running shoes do not look attractive, you would like to clean them. However, you are not sure if it is sufficient enough just to wipe them down with a wet cloth, let alone safe to put in the washing machine. That is why we are here to give you a step-by-step tutorial to help you out! Read on to learn more in this article on how to clean running shoes, and soon enough, you will have clean shoes in no time.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
More...
Quick Navigation
Things You Will Need for this Tutorial
While you might think that it is rather tricky to clean running shoes, because of the many nooks and crannies on and inside of it, you will be surprised to discover that it is not as hard as you think it is.
We do not recommend using the washing machine often to clean your running shoes, just because it can wear down your shoes faster than usual. Instead, we recommend that you wash it by hand; granted, it will be time-consuming, but we guarantee that it will make your shoes spick and span in the end.
That said, you will need these items to get started with your tutorial:
1.Brush.
Whether you happen to have a shoe brush, an old toothbrush, or something similar, having an item with bristles will make the scrubbing session easier for you to perform. In other words, having a brush makes the cleaning process more efficient, for it gets rid of more dirt than other products, which can save you time, despite the otherwise time-consuming process.
2.Water.
It comes as no surprise that you will need water to rinse off the dirt from the running shoe. Ideally, it is best to use lukewarm to hot water, so that it does a better job of getting not just the dirt, but also the grime off of the surface of the shoe. After all, you would like your running shoes to be as bright and clean as possible!
3.Detergent.
Although regular soap can work just fine, detergent tends to take it a step higher by having certain chemical properties which do a more powerful, more efficient job of getting rid of the dirt and grime from the running shoes. You are allowed to use any type of detergent associated with washing clothes- that is perfectly acceptable. As long as it can clean your shoes and make them smell good in the process, then why not choose them?
4.Sponge.
Aside from using a brush, a sponge is another way to clean your running shoes. It does so by soaking up the grime from the surface of the item, in conjunction with detergent and water. Once again, any type of sponge will work out; usually those you use to wash dishes are just fine.
5.Bucket.
Especially if your running shoes are dirty both inside and out, submerging it in a bucket filled with water and detergent is not a bad idea to consider. A standard-sized bucket that can fit both the left and right shoes is the way to go, so that you can allow for them to soak and soften up the dirt and grime that might have otherwise dried out. Then afterwards, you can go about cleaning them by hand.
For some more information about how to clean running shoes, check out this video here:
Step-by-step tutorial: How to clean running shoes
Now that you have all your necessary items, it is finally time to clean your running shoes! The process is actually very simple to do, but again, it can be time-consuming. However, at the end of the day, you should be able to remove all of the unnecessary debris from the surface and receive a spick-and-span shoe to call your own! Here are the steps to get started:
1. Remove the sockliner and/or insole.
If you have any insoles inserted into your shoe, it is essential to remove them before cleaning them, so that they do not get ruined in the process. Trust us: you will thank us later for this, especially when it comes to saving money on having to buy a new insole just because you ruined the former one.
2. Brush away any dirt or debris.
Using either a shoe brush or an old toothbrush, remove any dirt, leaves, twigs, and other debris from the surface as much as possible. Do not worry if you cannot get all of them off: just do your best to remove them topically, as you will be preparing your shoe for the next step in the cleaning process.
3. Soak your shoes.
Especially if your running shoe has accumulated a lot of dirt, rocks, mud, and grime, it can be a real hassle just to remove them all through the brush method. Sometimes, it cannot be done, just because the debris has dried out in large clumps, which makes it close to impossible to remove, anyway.
That said, fill up a large bucket with warm water and sprinkle in some detergent. Stir them together before dropping your shoes into the bucket, making sure that it is completely submerged in it. Allow for them to sit for at least one hour for the dried debris to soften up, before taking them out and resuming the cleaning process.
4. Clean using the sponge.
Once nearly all of the dirt and debris are gone from the surface of the shoe, use a sponge to apply the final cleaning touches. Remove any streaks or small debris from it, making sure to wash it out with water and more detergent every time it starts to accumulate in dirtiness.
5. Let the shoes air-dry.
Now that your shoes are all squeaky clean, it is a matter of air-drying them, since putting them in a drying machine or using a blow dryer will change the shape of the shoe. Depending on the weather, it takes on average twelve hours for shoes to completely dry and until then, you can use another pair of running shoes to go out running.
Conclusion
Overall, cleaning your running shoes is not as hard as you imagined it to be. All you need are just a few basic ingredients that you can get anywhere, a bit of time and patience, and soon enough, your running shoes will look amazing!
Comment on this article if you enjoyed it. Share as well with your friends and family!
