- Keeping running shoes clean is not just for look, but helps extend their lifespan and maintain their performance.
- Hand washing is gentler but takes longer.
- Machine washing should be done carefully, avoiding spin cycle and dryers.
No one likes to have dirty shoes, just as no one likes to clean them. The rain these past few days certainly hasn’t helped. One hardly gets home unscathed after zigzagging through puddles. The fact remains that beyond a purely aesthetic aspect, keeping your running shoes clean will strides their “life.” There are those who pull them to a shine with painstaking work, equipped with a brush to remove every trace of dirt, and those who prefer the convenience of the washing machine. Just as shoes should not be washed too often, neither should they be left muddy or wet for too long. Any agent can affect the durability of materials and deteriorate individual parts. So what is the best method to take care of it?
Hand washing
It is certainly the least aggressive and the safest, but it requires more time and patience. The effort required will be directly proportional to how much, and by how much, your shoes will be dirty. The material from which they are made can also make the task easier or less easy for you. If you want to hand-wash your running shoes, you need to get:
- a basin
- a brush or toothbrush with soft bristles
- a mild soap
- a sponge and a rag kit
- sheets of newspaper
Start with the sole, removing dirt with the help of the brush. Armed with soap and water, clean the upper with a sponge or rag, and if there are stains that are hard to come off use the brush without applying too much pressure. Wipe off excess soap with a damp cloth and insert rolled-up newspaper sheets in the shoes to let all the moisture soak up. Leave them in the air away from heat sources. Similarly, clean the laces and insoles separately and then reassemble the shoes once everything is completely dry.
Machine Washing
Some people do it habitually and some consider it sacrilege. Theoretically, since they are made of durable, technical materials, a machine wash should not damage your shoes, as long as you don’t use either the spin cycle or the dryer. Place them in a mesh bag for delicate clothing (like the kind you use for pantyhose) to prevent the laces from getting caught in the washing machine drum. Wash them along with something else, such as rugs, to balance the load and prevent damage to the washing machine drum. Set a gentle wash cycle and check from time to time through the porthole. As with hand washing, you can also decide to remove the laces and wash them separately. Same for the insoles. Your choice.
Extra tip for insoles like new
If you need a shock treatment to refresh your insoles, sprinkle them with baking soda and let it sit overnight so the moisture and odors are absorbed. The next day equip yourself with a brush and remove the excess baking soda. Once they are completely dry insert them back into the shoes.