Your running shoes are always going to get little dirtier than your casual sneakers. As you put them through their paces, they’re subjected to much harsher conditions, and all those miles are bound to get them covered in stubborn grime, mud, and dust. The debris you pick up will not only make them dirty, but can damage the surface of your shoes and hinder their performance.

Before you think about splashing out for a new pair or throwing them in the washing machine there are some simple steps you can take to maintain them. This will not only make them last longer but also give them the squeaky-clean look that you can rock en route to your next PB.

Here’s how you can effectively and safely clean your favorite running shoes without worrying about doing them any damage.

Materials required for cleaning your running shoes:

1. Footwear Cleaner.
2. Cleaning Brush.
3. Microfiber Cloth.
4. Two bowls of warm water.

A Quick Tip: Our Cleaning Kit has all the necessary tools packed into one great package to give your running shoes a deep clean. Check out our Cleaning Kit here >

Time required: 10-20 minutes (Depending on their condition).

Steps involved in cleaning your Running Shoes:

Follow these simple steps to make your shoes look as good as new.

1. The first step is to remove the laces and dip them into a bowl of warm water along with a squirt of our Footwear Cleaner. Leave them to soak while you move on the next step. For a full run-down on how to clean your laces, click HERE.
2. Next, grab a brush (our Cleaning Brush gets the job done quickly and effectively). Use it to remove any accumulated mud on your shoe’s surface. Start from the uppers and then move down to the midsole and outsole. Make sure you remove the dry debris as much as possible.
3. Now dip your brush into another bowl of warm water and apply our Footwear Cleaner gel to the bristles.
4. Scrub the surface of your shoes in a circular motion to foam it up (you don’t have to be too gentle with it). Scrub the uppers thoroughly and then move to the midsole. After you’re done, give that outsole some love as well. Clean the entire shoe from top to bottom.
5. Once you’ve covered the entire outer shoe surface, it’s time to use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all the foamy solution and the moisture from the shoe. Repeat until you’re sure you’ve wiped all the possible moisture away.
6. If your shoes smell from the inside, you can take your insoles out and apply the Footwear Cleaner gel to them as well. Rub the insoles thoroughly with a brush and then rinse them. This ensures your shoes are clean inside out.
7. The final step is drying your newly washed shoes. A word of caution: never dry your shoes in direct sunlight or use a dryer. By doing so, you risk getting your shoes deformed or discolored. Always let your shoes air dry at room temperature. You can also stuff your shoes with scrunched-up newspaper to maintain their shape while they dry.
8. Take your shoes, insoles, and laces and put them in an airy spot. Once dried, put those insoles back in your shoes, lace them up, and you’re good to go.

Voila! It’s as easy as that. Go out and put some extra miles on your shoes. They’re ready for it, and you are too!