How To Keep Running Shoes Clean

How to Clean Your Running Shoes

A Little Extra Care Can Extend Your Shoe's Life Cycle

Dirty muddy shoes

Muddy, dusty, or wet running shoes can be a badge of honor, advertising the fact that you aren't letting nature slow you down. But while dirt may offer a sense of pride, running shoes are not cheap, and a little bit of cleaning will go a long way in extending the amount of use you can get out of your shoes. Taking care to wash and dry them properly will ensure the integrity of the shoe components and help you achieve the shoe's maximum lifespan.

Scrub the Fabric on Top

Never use a washing machine to clean your shoes, as the heat and detergents can be harmful to the glue holding different parts together. Instead, spot-clean the dirty upper using a soft brush with mild soap and water.

You can remove the shoelaces and wash them separately for a more thorough cleaning. If they are beyond saving, check out our replacement laces.

Clean the Bottom and Sides

As mentioned earlier, washing your shoes in the washing machine will prematurely break them down. Therefore, we recommend using a mild cleaner with a cloth or brush to clean the midsole and outsole if they are particularly dirty or muddy. Dish soap is a good option, and a mild all-purpose cleaner should also do the trick.

Dry Your Shoes

The best way to dry your wet running shoes is to let them air-dry or place them in front of a fan. Resist the temptation to dry your shoes using heat. Placing your running shoes in an automatic dryer (even on low heat) or in front of a warm heater vent will cause permanent damage to the glue and the foam cushioning, and it's one of the fastest ways to wear out your shoes.

If your shoes are particularly sopping, you can help the drying process by removing the sock liner and stuffing a few sheets of crumpled newspaper into the shoe to absorb some of the excess moisture. If you don't have any newspaper lying around, tissue paper and coffee filters should work just as well. Or, you can always use an efficient shoe dryer that helps to circulate air inside of your shoes without the use of damaging heat.

No, your running shoes aren't going to last forever, but making sure they stay clean and dry will at least help them last their intended lifetime.

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