I realize keeping your weightlifting shoes clean may not be on your list when you’re ready to lift, but it’s important to take care of your gear. Clean shoes look better and last longer, making exercises more comfortable and efficient.
I’ll show you how to clean weightlifting sneakers easily in this post. We’ll clean and deodorize. It won’t take a chemical degree or costly equipment to do it.
Keeping your shoes clean is important whether you’re a seasoned weightlifter or just starting your fitness journey. You’ll be surprised at how much nicer your shoes look and smell with a little TLC. Let’s begin!
Steps to Clean Weightlifting Shoes
Keep your weightlifting shoes clean to preserve quality and cleanliness. Follow these simple methods to clean and maintain your weightlifting shoes, whether you’re an expert or a beginner.
Materials Required
- Dirty weightlifting shoes
- A soft brush or old toothbrush
- Mild liquid soap
- A small bucket or basin
- Clean water
- A cloth or towel
- Sunlight or a well-ventilated area
Step 1: Remove Dirt First
Remove loose dirt and debris before washing your weightlifting shoes. Shake your shoes gently. This little procedure prevents dirt from spreading when cleaning. Use your fingers or a towel to remove large mud or dirt clumps. This improves shoe washing and prevents dirt from settling in.
Step 2: Make Soapy Water
Get ready to clean. A small bucket or basin is needed. Pour in clean water and a little light liquid soap. Soap should be moderate since harsh chemicals might damage shoes. Gently whisk water to make soap. A little soap is plenty.
Step 3: Brush Shoes
Prepare soapy water to clean your weightlifting shoes. Use a soft or old toothbrush for this stage. To remove surplus water, dip the brush in soapy water and shake. Avoid getting your shoes wet. Scrub your shoes lightly. Focus on dirty or stained areas. If persistent stains remain, use extra pressure, but avoid scrubbing too hard, especially if your shoes are fragile.
Step 4: Rinse
Rinse your weightlifting shoes after scrubbing them. Find a faucet or hose with clean, flowing water. Use your hands to remove soapy water from your shoes while submerged. Thoroughly rinse to eliminate soap residue. You may also remove soap off shoes with a moist towel.
Step 5: Dry Your Shoes
Dry your weightlifting shoes after cleaning them. They must be carefully dried to retain form and substance. How to do it:
- To remove the water, gently pat your shoes with a clean cloth. Don’t let them leak. Avoid rubbing or wringing shoes to preserve their structure.
- After removing as much water as possible, air-dry your shoes in a well-ventilated place. If you can put them outside, avoid direct sunlight, especially for long durations, since it can damage the materials and colors. They can also be kept in a cold, dry, airy area.
- Maintaining shoe form when drying is crucial. You may stuff them with crumpled newspaper or shoe trees. This keeps shoes in shape while drying.
Step 6: Deodorize
Heavy workouts may stink up weightlifting sneakers. Follow this simple technique to freshen them:
- Put baking soda in your shoes. Just a teaspoon of each shoe is enough. After adding baking soda, lightly tap your shoes to spread it. Leave them overnight to allow baking soda to work.
- To remove baking soda from your shoes in the morning, shake them over a garbage can or outside. Your shoes will smell nicer once baking soda absorbs smells.
Step 7: Skip Washer and Dryer
It’s crucial not to wash or dry weightlifting sneakers. Agitating and spinning can harm your shoes, and dryer heat can deform and shatter them. Follow our mild hand-cleaning approach.
Step 8: Clean Regularly
Keep your weightlifting shoes clean, especially if you wear them often. Clean up after each workout to avoid dirt and smells.
Also important is proper storage. Keep weightlifting shoes cool and dry while not wearing them. Avoid wet, humid surroundings that breed mold and mildew.
Follow these methods to keep your weightlifting shoes clean and in good condition. To perform well while weightlifting, maintain your shoes to keep them looking good and increase their lives. Stay simple, follow these procedures, and enjoy your clean, comfy weightlifting sneakers!
Can I wash my Weightlifting Shoes With Water?
Water alone doesn’t clean weightlifting shoes well. Water may remove some surface debris, but washing may not remove all the perspiration, filth, and smells that build up in your shoes.
Weightlifting shoes get soiled after rigorous training. Sweat and foot oils can make them smell bad. Water alone may not eradicate these smells and microorganisms.
A little soap helps clean. It breaks down oils and filth to make shoe cleaning simpler. Choose mild liquid soap like dish soap. Not too rough on shoes.
To clean weightlifting shoes completely, use water with a mild soap solution. This will keep your shoes in good condition, lengthen their lives, and keep them supporting you throughout weightlifting.
What type of Soap should I use to Clean Weightlifting Shoes?
Choose a soft soap to clean your weightlifting shoes. Strong chemicals can ruin shoes, so don’t use anything flashy or harsh.
Light liquid soap like dishwashing or hand soap works well. Our soaps are mild on skin and clean a range of surfaces, including weightlifting shoe materials. These soaps are convenient since most families have them.
Heavy-duty cleansers, detergents, and bleach can damage shoes. These harsh chemicals may degrade fabrics, discolor them, and accelerate wear.
Cleaning weightlifting shoes with soap is easy. Mix a little mild liquid soap with clean water to make a soapy solution. Then, carefully clean your shoes with this solution to remove dirt, perspiration, and grime. Mild soap dissolves these chemicals and makes them simpler to remove.
After washing, carefully rinse your shoes with clean water to eliminate soap residue. To avoid pain and material damage from washing residue on shoes, this is essential.
Choose soap that is soft and straightforward to clean your weightlifting shoes. Mild liquid soap is great for cleaning and maintaining shoes without damaging them.
How Often Should I Clean Weightlifting Shoes?
Keeping your weightlifting shoes clean is vital, but how often? Weightlifting shoe cleaning depends on usage and workout intensity.
Cleaning your shoes weekly is recommended if you go to the gym or lift weights multiple times a week. Regular cleaning prevents perspiration, grime, and smells from accumulating, keeping your shoes fresh.
If you just weightlift occasionally or wear your shoes for lighter activities, you can clean them every two weeks or as needed. It’s crucial to judge how unclean and stinky your shoes get.
Keep an eye out for shoe washing signs. Cleaning is needed if they smell bad, have stains, or feel uncomfortable due to filth.
Also, clean your weightlifting shoes after intense exercises or outside activities that may expose them to mud or severe circumstances. This can prolong shoe performance and avoid long-term harm.
Proper storage helps keep shoes clean too. Keep weightlifting shoes cool and dry when not in use. Avoid wet, humid environments that promote mold and mildew.
Is it okay to use a Hair Dryer to speed up the Drying Process?
You may use a hairdryer to speed up weightlifting shoe drying, but be careful. Heat can harm weightlifting shoes’ delicate materials, so do it correctly.
Before using a hairdryer, check your shoes for moisture. Remove excess water with a clean towel. Wet shoes take a long time to dry using a hairdryer.
Set the hairdryer to “cool” or the lowest heat setting before using it. Heat can deform, melt, or degrade shoe materials. Keep the dryer 6-8 inches from your shoes for safety. It should be moved often to dry evenly and avoid overheating.
Slow down when using the hairdryer. Though slow, this moderate method will protect your weightlifting shoes. Too long with the hairdryer directed at one location will harm it.
Also, use the hairdryer in a well-ventilated environment. Let the moisture out while the shoes dry. To keep your shoes fresh before your next workout, air-dry them in a cool, dry environment.
In conclusion, a hairdryer can speed up weightlifting shoe drying, but be careful. To preserve your shoes, use low heat, regular movement, and patience.
Can I put my Weightlifting Shoes in the Washing machine?
Cleaning weightlifting shoes in the washer is not advised. It may seem like a simple method to clean things, but it might damage them.
Lifting shoes are made of particular materials to give stability and support. The vigorous spinning and agitation of a washing machine can damage leather, mesh, and rubber. The machine’s action might weaken or break shoe glue. This can make weightlifting shoes less sturdy and durable.
High heat and friction in the washing machine can damage and change the form of your shoes. Machine cleaning can disrupt weightlifting shoes’ precise balance of hardness and flexibility.
Clean your weightlifting shoes by hand using a moderate soap and water solution for safety and effectiveness. A gentle brush or old toothbrush may remove grime and stains without damaging shoes.
After washing, air-dry weightlifting shoes in a well-ventilated place. Avoid dryers because heat may deform and destroy shoes.
Can a Shoe Spray or Deodorizer Keep them fresh after Cleaning?
You may use a shoe spray or deodorizer to freshen your weightlifting shoes after cleaning. I love this concept, especially if your shoes get stinky after strong exercises.
Shoes can be deodorized to prevent odors from returning. Most of these products absorb moisture and neutralize odor-causing microorganisms. Some have a nice aroma to freshen shoes.
To use a shoe spray or deodorizer effectively:
- After washing and drying your weightlifting shoes, dry them entirely. When used on moist shoes, these products are less effective.
- After shaking the spray or deodorizer to blend the chemicals, follow the directions. A small mist on the inside of your shoes is typical.
- Let your shoes air out. The product has time to absorb any leftover moisture and smells.
- After airing out, your shoes should smell better. To keep shoes fresh, put baking soda inside before use.
A shoe spray or deodorizer is a simple technique to keep weightlifting shoes smelling fresh. If you sweat a lot during workouts, it’s useful. Most retailers sell these things, and you may select from several possibilities. Use a spray to keep your weightlifting shoes fresh and comfortable.
How Should I Store My Weightlifting Shoes?
When not in use, store your weightlifting shoes properly to maintain their condition and longevity. How to store them:
- First off, put your weightlifting shoes somewhere cool and dry. Mold and mildew destroy materials and smell bad when moisture is present. Avoid putting them in a basement or garage.
- Consider buying a shoe rack or box. These are perfect for organizing and elevating weightlifting sneakers. Elevated shoes accumulate less dust and filth.
- Remove detachable insoles while not wearing shoes. Prevention of moisture accumulation lets shoes and insoles dry fully.
- Always unlace shoes before storage. This keeps shoes in good condition and makes putting them on again simpler without stressing the laces.
- Shoe trees or newspapers may keep shoes in shape. This prevents shoe material creases, especially in the toe. Shoe trees help shoes retain form and absorb moisture.
- After each session, air out your weightlifting shoes to avoid smells. Loosening the laces and removing the insoles helps. Keeping shoes dry and breathable helps them smell fresh.
Final Words
You’ve discovered that washing weightlifting shoes isn’t hard. It’s simple yet may improve shoe durability and comfort. Follow this approach to keep your weightlifting shoes in good condition for exercise support and stability.
Shoes may stay fresh and clean with regular cleaning, drying, and deodorizing. Be kind and avoid harsh chemicals. Your weightlifting shoes will be clean and comfy after these simple instructions, so you can focus on your training objectives.
