If you have a kid that plays soccer, then you know how dirty his soccer cleats can get. After an afternoon of running around in the field, soccer cleats can come home looking like it’s been run through the mud. Because soccer equipment and shoes can get quite expensive, you should know how to properly care for it to avoid having to keep buying over and over again.
Here’s a guide on how to wash and dry soccer cleats.
- Do scrub the bottoms of the shoes against a wall or cement surface. When you get the cleats, remove any dried up dirt stuck at the soles of the shoes. You can also choose to tap the shoes together to loosen any dirt.
- Do wipe off visible dirt with a wet rag. Get an old rag and wet it a bit. It’s best to spot clean the dirt off your shoes so as not to damage the cleats. Wet the rag a bit more if you find that the shoes are extra dirty. If you need a little more help, use a bit of dishwashing liquid mixed with some warm to cool water and use that as the cleaner. This should remove most of the dirt.
- Do soak the bottom of the shoes in a basin of soapy water. For cleats that have seen better days, you may need to go the extra mile and soak it in a basin of water. Bring out a shallow basin and put some cool to warm water in it. Place the shoes on the water and let the water loosen the stuck dirt and debris on the soles. If you’re going to put a bit of soap, use a mild dishwashing liquid rather than laundry detergent. Leave it in the water for a few minutes to really get the shoes clean. If you have an old toothbrush, use it to get between the ridges on the soles of the shoes.
- Do not use hot water. You should never wash your cleats in hot water. Doing so will shrink and deform your cleats. If possible, use cool water. At most, you should use water that is slightly warm, but never hot. Rinse your shoes with water, making sure that the soles and tops of the shoes are clean.
- Do not wash shoes in the washing machine. You should hand wash your cleats if it needs cleaning. If you throw your shoes in the washing machine, it may shrink and deform.
- Do stuff the shoes with newspapers. It’s important to retain the shape of your shoes. Get some old newspapers and crumple it. Use this to stuff the shoes. If your have a shoe stretcher, you may also use it to help retain the shape of the shoes. However, keep in mind that you may end up stretching the shoes to much, which is why stuffing it with old newspapers is a better idea. Also, when drying, don’t place the shoes directly under sunlight. If you do that, it will make the leather crack.
- Do use a leather protector spray. When the shoes are dry and ready. Spray it with some leather protector. This will help keep your shoes clean and protect it from moisture.
There you have it: an easy and simple way to clean your cleats!
