Cleaning running shoes regularly keeps them looking and smelling fresh, and basic maintenance reduces wear and tear on your favorite pair. We’ve been an authorized footwear dealer for over 20 years, and we’re happy to share some tips we’ve picked up along the way. Follow this simple, step-by-step guide to keep your sneakers clean and pristine!
1. Gather Your Supplies
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mild laundry detergent or dish soap
- Baking soda (for white shoes)
- Warm water
- A shoebrush or old toothbrush
- A clean washcloth
2. Brush Away Dirt and Debris
Before we get into how to wash running shoes, it’s important that you remove any dirt and debris stuck to the shoes. If you skip this step, it’ll turn into mud and make your shoes even dirtier! Take your shoebrush or toothbrush and gently scrub the uppers, midsole, and outsole.
3. Make a Cleaning Solution
If you’re cleaning colorful or black shoes, mix up a solution of mild laundry detergent or dish soap and warm water. The ratio depends on the product you use, but typically one teaspoon per cup of water is ideal. A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it.
Learning how to wash running shoes that are all white is a little different. Stains can be tougher to remove from white footwear, so a solution of equal parts baking soda and water may be more effective.
4. Remove and Clean the Laces
Before cleaning running shoes, you’ll need to remove your laces, so take the opportunity to clean them, too. You can use the same cleaning solution and then dry them with a cloth. If they’re still dirty, put them in a mesh laundry bag and run them through your washing machine.
For white laces that are especially dirty, mix a solution of one teaspoon of bleach in five cups of water. Avoid touching the solution with unprotected hands. Soak the laces for five minutes. Rinse them thoroughly.
5. Scrub the Sneakers With the Solution
Once the sneakers are prepped, here’s how to wash running shoes. Dip your brush into your cleaning solution. Gently scrub the midsoles, outsoles, and uppers. If the brush gets dirty, rinse it with water, reapply the cleaning solution, and keep scrubbing. When you’re satisfied with the results, use a clean washcloth to pat them dry.
After you’re done cleaning the outside of the shoes, you can clean the insoles the same way, if needed. They’ll need to air dry, so you may want to skip this step if you plan on wearing your running shoes in the near future.
Save On a New Pair of Running Shoes
Knowing how to wash running shoes will keep your sneakers in tip-top condition for a little while, but eventually you’ll need to replace them. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place!
We stock men’s running shoes, women’s tennis shoes, and kids’ tennis shoes from top footwear brands you know and trust. Best of all, we offer generous end-of-season discounts! Instead of cleaning running shoes, treat yourself to a brand new pair. Shop now!
