How do you clean your running shoes?

I like having clean shoes, and the generic version of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers seems to work great for keeping them looking new almost until the midsoles wear out.

I have never cleaned my running shoes.

I don't clean mine, but I've read that some soccer players use rubbing alcohol with a washcloth. Might not want to use too much (given the smell), but could work if you don't want to splurge at the store.

Go out and run in the rain on roads. They'll clean themselves.

I never clean my running shoes. Maybe if there is a whole bunch of mud on them I let the mud dry and then scrape it off a little. I actually like it when my running shoes get a little dirty, it means that I use them : -)

Skip Treadway wrote:

I run on dirt roads and trails. My shoes are always dirty.

Should I be cleaning them, and how?

When I get new shoes I try to just not run in dirty places for a couple runs but then usually it rains horribly and I never clean them again

seikosha wrote:

Go out and run in the rain on roads. They'll clean themselves.

Funny ... I do this, too!

Usually ignoring the doorbell does the trick.

3:28 1500 runner wrote:

Usually ignoring the doorbell does the trick.

That took me a second. Nice.

me too ! wrote:

seikosha wrote:

Go out and run in the rain on roads. They'll clean themselves.

Funny ... I do this, too!

Even better, run in the snow!

Chuck them in the washing machine..

.

Clean shoes don't matter at all. Dry shoes matter a lot.

Run, take shoes off, clap them together, put them down.

If they are wet, take the insoles out, loosen the laces, pull the tongue up to get some air in there.

Skip Treadway wrote:

I run on dirt roads and trails. My shoes are always dirty.

Should I be cleaning them, and how?

Bucket with lukewarm water, and get a toothbrush (obviously one you don't plan on using to brush your teeth) and use dish soap on the toothbrush and scrub away. Works wonders. I do this once a month.

During the summer my shoes get soaked from sweat sometimes so much that I can hear them squish. When I get home I either stick the hose in my shoes and flood them or I'll just jump in the pool with them on.

After they're soaked from water I take the inserts out and place the shoes (upper facing down) on top of the outdoor air-conditioner condenser which blows warm air straight up into the shoes. Keeps the shoes free from tons of foot bacteria and sweat, etc. This is essential during the summer at least.

Luis-M-Guerra wrote:

Skip Treadway wrote:

I run on dirt roads and trails. My shoes are always dirty.

Should I be cleaning them, and how?

Bucket with lukewarm water, and get a toothbrush (obviously one you don't plan on using to brush your teeth) and use dish soap on the toothbrush and scrub away. Works wonders. I do this once a month.

I too use a bucket--5 gallon. Remove the insoles. Dunk each shoe up and down in water with Wool Lite or similar product from Dollar Tree. I use a big brush to clean my shoes. I did spray some laundry Oxygen Power all purpose spot remover from Dollar Tree this last time because my white shoes were no longer white even after normal cleaner. This is the first time I used something more aggressive than Wool Lite. Put clean water in the bucket and rinse out shoes and insoles. Put old hand towel or rags in toe box to soak up water and maybe maintain shape of shoe. Dry shoes in the sun in warm weather or place over furnace vent with old towel over shoes to hold some heat in during the winter. Pull the towels/rags out of shoes when partially dry. The toe box will remain wet unless towels are removed. I have only cleaned my current white pair 3 or 4 times. They have 400 miles on them. I usually clean them when they are dirty and have already gotten soaked by running outside. Cleaning and drying promptly will remove or prevent the bad smell from leaving dirty, wet shoes that are allowed to stay wet for prolonged period of time.

I find cramming a bunch of newspapers into the shoes dry them out the best, especially if its humid or I'll be running in the morning after an evening run.

I just go downtown to one of them shoe shine guys.

Skip Treadway wrote:

I run on dirt roads and trails. My shoes are always dirty.

Should I be cleaning them, and how?

You...clean your running shoes?

I put in the washing machine, with the dedicates preset. Add some wool detergent, no softener.

But I only wash trail shoes where the upper gets so hard and crusted with dried mud that it affects the comfort.