How to Wash and Clean Basketball Shoes – Complete Guide 2023

Dirty shoes not only look ugly but also affects your game. The traction and cushion and comfort which they provided are reduced slowly from time to time if you do not properly care for your basketball shoes.

Wash your basketball shoes is one of the good methods to clean your basketball shoes which enhance your game with good traction and cushion. But although there are many good ways and also bad ways how to wash your basketball shoes. Some methods are not just applied to your shoes because you are doing a great investment in your new shoe, then the careful and good working methods are acceptable and do not harm the bottom of your shoe and also the upper.

Cleaning Basketball Shoes – Buyer Guide

In order to save your shoes from any danger which further wastes your shoes as well as your money also. We conclude some with good techniques about how to clean your basketball shoes properly.

Dangerous Methods:

Washing Machine

It is most recommended that never wash your basketball shoes in the washing machine, not this only, try to never wash any shoes in the washing machine which harms the especially bottom of the shoe and decreases the lifespan of the shoe.

Dryer

The leading dangerous method for shoes is never your dryer for drying your shoe. It can dry fast but it gives harm and change the shape of the shoe. In simple words, it will affect the insoles and the outside of the shoe.

Vents or Heaters or Hair Dryers

Third heating elements harm your shoes instantly. The vents, heater, or hairdryer. Don’t use these things for drying purposes. Their heat ruins your shoe shape and material in no time. Try to avoid these things for drying purposes.

Detergents

The most harmful detergents will also affect your shoe. Rubbing alcohol, using bleach, or scented laundry detergent, and also using fabric softeners will ruin the outsole of the shoe. Using an eco-friendly laundry detergent is recommended for washing or cleaning your basketball shoes.

Cleaning Basketball Shoes Properly

(Step 1) Remove Stones: 

If you use your shoe as an outdoor basketball then your shoes might have not dirt only but also contains stones in the grooves of the soles of the shoe. Accumulate any clumps of earth and stones with a toothpick.

(Step 2) Wipe off Dirt: 

After you’ve removed the pebbles, you’ll need to wash your shoes by removing any filth, muck, or dust that has accumulated on their surface.

Using a proper footwear brush or firm bristles to accommodate you efficiently removes almost all dirt. You can utilize a soft, gently soaked cloth if the muck remains wet.

(Step 3) Remove Shoelaces:

This method is optional but it is recommended, to remove the shoelaces from the shoe, and then you can separately clean them like the following method which we discussed.

(Step 4) Wash With Soap & Water: 

Once you remove shoelaces, dirt, and stone from the surfaces then make a mix of hot water and a tiny bit of eco-friendly laundry detergent. Apply a small volume of this solution on a clean rag or towel and cleanse your shoes with it. completely.

(Step 5) Rinse clean: 

Either rinse the washcloth or use a clean one dipped in warm water, and clean the excess cleaning detergent from the shoes.

(Step 6) Insoles:

Insoles should be removed and washed and cleaned separately and you can use the baking soda detergent for cleaning purposes for the shoe insoles.

(Step 7) Dry at Room Temperature: 

Pat dry any excesses of water on the shoes and permit them to dry naturally at room temperature. Because it is the most effective method which dries your shoes without providing any harm. Avoid putting your shoes near a heater or dryer as the heat can totally change their shape.

(Step 8) Stimulate the laces: 

Wash your shoelaces with a tiny soap and water or replace them if they have any rips or tears. This will clean your laces without giving any harm. Also, broken laces can create bad injuries and take you out of the game.

(Step 9) Air out the insoles: 

Get out the insoles of your shoes and permit them to air out to freshen them up. You can wash, clean, and dry the insoles with the cleaning steps above, and when dry, spray a small amount of baking soda on the insoles to soak up any lingering smells.

(Step 10) Keep expensive shoes in a safe place:

You can toss your everyday shoes in your backpack or by the front door once they’re dried and their lacing and insoles are dried. Do not store your footwear in a box for an extended period of time. Nevertheless, if you have high-end or sentimental shoes, you should use particular storage measures.

• Ensure the boots are completely dry before putting them on.
• Remove any wrinkled paper from the interior and verify to see if it is entirely dry.
• Place each pair of basketball shoes in a huge zipper pouch.
• Put one desiccant package within every bag when sealing them if you have access to desiccant packaging (like the silica gel packets that reportedly came in the initial shoe box).

Tips:

These are some extra tips that you must follow to increase the lifespan of your shoe;

• After each wear, wipe your footwear.
• For better airflow, don’t leave your footwear in the carrying case for long periods of time. Instead, leave them out in the air.
• For using them for a long time, only wear your basketball shoes when inside the court.
• Applying a shoe odor remover is an excellent method to keep your shoes smelling fresh all of the time.
• If you want to play basketball properly, you should bring an extra pair of shoes.

Final Words

Here is the end of the article, we mention the good methods and harmful methods which harm your basketball shoes to ruin their shape, material, and outsole. But other good methods are also mentioned in the article. Simply follow the 10 steps we mentioned above and clean and wash your shoes and then dry them properly at room temperature and then pack them in a good big bag. Try to avoid dangerous and harmful methods and follow the good methods and try to make your habit of properly clean and wipe off all dust and dirt daily.