How to clean your running shoes

You are putting on your running shoes, stepping outside, and running! There’s nothing better than a nice running session in the fresh air for you.

Living here in the Netherlands, it’s common that your training takes place in all kinds of weather. And even if the sun is shining nicely, sometimes it’s hard to avoid puddles from the last rain shower. The result: running shoes that are soaked with sweat and rain, and dirty from sand and mud.

We have the best tips for cleaning your running shoes!

3 ways to clean your running shoes

Good running shoes are essential for running. They are your tools for an active and sporty life. You’ve gotten good advice on which running shoes best suit you and help you run without injuries. It’s very important to maintain and take care of your running shoes.

Cleaning your shoes is a crucial part of this. Here are 3 ways to clean your running shoes.

Clean the outside of your running shoes

Have your running shoes been through a lot and are covered in sand and mud? It might be tempting to throw them in the washing machine. STOP! Running shoes (or any sports shoes) should never go in the washing machine. The hot water can damage the glue, and detergent can harm your running shoes' synthetic fibers, foam, and stitching.

The best way to clean your running shoes is by hand. It's best to do this as soon as possible after using your shoes. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A gentle, degreasing soap
• A soft brush or toothbrush
• A soft sponge
• Lukewarm water

Follow these steps:

1. Remove the laces and insoles from your shoes.
2. Brush off the dried mud and sand using a soft brush.
3. Then, wet a soft sponge with lukewarm water and use a small amount of gentle soap to clean the upper part of your running shoe.

For the soles, do the same using lukewarm water and a bit of soap on a toothbrush to scrub them clean.

NOTE: Never submerge your shoes in water or rinse them under a running tap. This can make your running shoes too wet and cause dirt to seep deeper into the shoe.

Clean the inside of your running shoes

The inside of your running shoes takes just as much wear as the outside. Of course, moisture from outside can enter your shoes, but you also get sweaty feet when running. That’s normal and part of the experience.

There’s nothing worse than stepping into smelly, damp running shoes when you’re ready for your training. Cleaning the inside of your running shoes is therefore important, both for your motivation and the lifespan of your shoes.

The Shoefresh Opod is the perfect device to dry and clean the inside of your running shoes. Here’s what you need to do:

1. After cleaning the outside of your running shoes, place them on the Shoefresh Opod.
2. Select the “sport” program.
3. The Shoefresh Opod cleans your shoes and automatically stops when the 60-minute program ends.

The Shoefresh Opod uses active oxygen (ozone) to tackle bacteria that cause odors. With regular use, you’ll notice that unpleasant smells disappear from your shoes.

Now, both the outside and inside of your running shoes are clean!

Drying your running shoes

Now that we’ve explained how to clean your running shoes, drying them is also very important. And we have a crucial tip for this:

Never dry your running shoes on a radiator. This can damage the glue in the soles and negatively affect the insole, which can cause irritation and injuries. The fit of your running shoes needs to stay as good as possible, so proper drying is an essential part of maintenance.

We understand that you want to dry your running shoes as quickly as possible. In addition to cleaning, the Shoefresh Opod is also the perfect device for drying your running shoes. Here’s why:

1. The Shoefresh Opod dries your shoes gradually at a temperature that your shoes can easily tolerate.
2. Thanks to the powerful fan, moderately wet shoes are dry within 60 minutes, so you’ll be ready for your next activity quickly.
3. The quality and comfort of your running shoes are not compromised by using the Shoefresh Opod.

Since the Shoefresh Opod cleans and dries your shoes without compromising their quality, you can use it after every training session. Even if you’ve run in warm weather and your shoes are just slightly damp from sweat, the Shoefresh Opod is the perfect device for cleaning and drying your running shoes.
This way, you keep your running shoes in top shape and can enjoy many more kilometers of running!

You can try the Shoefresh Opod 90 days for free and easily order it, here on our website.

Click here to order your Shoefresh Opod.