How To Clean Basketball Shoes In 5 Steps (Deep Clean, Tips)
I am glad that you are here looking for how to clean basketball shoes, as there was no one to guide me and I lost my expensive pair of basketball shoes. I did not clean my expensive pair of basketball shoes the way they deserved and they eroded before time. But I am here now writing this article to guide you with every detail you are seeking.
I will not only guide you about cleaning the basketball shoes but also about what steps and items you shouldn’t use in the cleaning process, as some people act smartly but lose their shoes anyway. One should always know how to take care of valuable items especially when it is about expensive pair of basketball shoes. I have brought a few easy and simple steps for you through which you can clean your basketball shoes in only 5 minutes. Let’s begin.
How To Clean & Care Basketball Shoes in Simple Steps
Cleaning basketball shoes is not only associated with their appearance but also with their functioning. If you don’t clean your basketball shoes after every use then they will start to get damaged. Moreover, the anti-slip properties of its outsole will vanish with time.
As soon as the anti-skid properties vanish from the outsole, your performance on the basketball court will be influenced as your confidence will be low because of your low-quality shoes. I hope now you know why cleaning your basketball shoes is so much important. Now let’s begin with the easy steps of cleaning basketball shoes.
Step 1
Make sure that the dirt you are cleaning is totally dried up otherwise if you try to brush off the wet dirt it will smudge all over the shoes upon cleaning. The mess created by it would be more difficult for you to clean.
Step 2
Take a wet cloth and squeeze it. Now rub the upper part of the basketball shoes with it.
Step 3
Take the toothbrush or any other brush but keep in mind that its bristles should be soft. Take water in a bowl and stir the brush in it. Now rub it over the lugs of the outsoles of the basketball shoes and remove the debris from it.
Step 4
If you see any small stone or debris that is not coming out, then use the toothpick to remove it.
Step 5
Now take a wet towel and rub it over the outsoles of the basketball shoes and give it a final cleaning stroke.
After every use apply this cleaning technique and I assure you that your basketball shoes will remain fresh. Through these steps, you can quickly clean up your shoes without getting into any hassle. However, there are people who even take out the whole day to clean their beloved basketball shoes. If you are one of them then keep on reading the article to find out tips and deep cleaning methods for basketball shoes.
Tips & Tricks For Deep Cleaning of Basketball Shoes
If you want to deeply clean your basketball shoes then spare about 20 to 25 minutes for it. Deep cleaning of the basketball shoes includes the cleaning of the footbed and shoelaces separately. Believe me that people do spare a lot of their precious time to clean the basketball shoes and it really pays off later. Follow the steps mentioned below and you can deeply clean your basketball shoes.
1. Cleaning Shoelaces Separately
Take a bowl and fill it with water. Add any liquid soap to it, keep in mind that it should be mild. The shoelaces can be washed with mild detergents as well but if the stains are not stubborn then I recommend that you use mild liquid soap first. After adding the liquid soap mix it well with your hand to make bubbles. Now place shoelaces in it and gently rub it. After rubbing it gently, leave it for about one minute in a solution then take it out and wash it under a water tap. Put them under the fan to dry. Do not arrange these shoelaces in shoes until they are totally dried.
2. Cleaning the Inner Sole Separately
Cleaning the innersole separately has its own benefits. The first and foremost benefit is that the basketball shoes remain free from smell. This step is really beneficial for people who do not have breathable basketball shoes. Simply, take out the footbed/innersole and use the soft toothbrush to clean its upper part. Use a mixture of soap and hand liquid to clean the footbed. Using the fragrant mild hand soap will create a good fragrance in the footbed. Let the footbed completely dry and then insert it back into the shoes.
What About Using a Washing Machine?
If you are thinking that what a time taking process it is and you can simply put these footbeds and shoelaces in the washing machine, then let me tell you it’s a bad idea. Washing the inner soles in the washing machine can damage the footbed and ultimately you have to buy a new pair of basketball shoes. It is better to spend a little time cleaning a footbed and shoelaces than to buy a new and expensive pair of basketball shoes.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Recommendations
Do not wash your basketball shoes in the washing machine until and unless there is a manufacturer’s recommendation about it. If you want to wash the shoes in the machine as recommended by the manufacturer then use cold water and use a slow washing cycle and a slow spin cycle. If you go against the manufacturer’s recommendation and wash the shoes anyway in the washing machine, the basketball shoes will be cracked and erode.
Can one use a Hairdryer to Dry Basketball Shoes?
No, don’t even think of it. The heat of the hairdryer is not good for the leather/rubber of the shoes. It is better to keep the basketball shoes under a fan or somewhere in an open place and wear them again when they are completely dry.
Do Not Tips
- Do not use laundry detergents.
- Do not wash your shoes in a washing machine.
- Do not use bleach to clean the basketball shoes.
- Do not use fabric softeners.
- Do not use a hairdryer to dry your basketball shoes.
- Do not put your basketball shoes near the heater.
What if Basketball Shoes are not Breathable?
That’s a very interesting question. When the basketball shoes or any daily wear shoes are not breathable, a weird kind of smell is generated inside. The seat salts are consumed by the shoes and they stay there and in the long term, it’s not good for the basketball shoes. What I used to do was after every use I used to put my shoes under the fan. So that all the weird smell created by the sweat vanishes. Moreover, by doing this the weird smell doesn’t remain in the shoes anymore.
Is it bad to wash basketball shoes in the washing machine?
Oh yes totally. The upper body of the basketball shoes may start to erode if you wash them in a washing machine. The color of the basketball shoes may also fade away if you clean them with detergents. You can only wash them in the washing machine only when it is recommended by the manufacturer.
How do I stop my basketball shoes from smelling?
There is an easy home remedy for it. You need ¼ cup of each, baking soda, cornstarch, and baking powder. Mix the ingredients and put the mixture in a pair of cotton socks and place the socks in shoes. The smell will be gone overnight. You can also sprinkle the mixture directly in the basketball shoes but later might cause a little inconvenience while cleaning.
How do I know when I need new basketball shoes?
Cleaning your basketball shoes may prevent the need for new pairs of basketball shoes for a long time but as soon as you start feeling that cleaning the basketball shoes is also not working and your shoes are becoming slippery and have a loose grip over the floor then it’s time to buy new basketball shoes.
If you are a player you must take care of your basketball shoes at any cost as this can influence your performance. Follow the easy steps mentioned above after every use and you will feel like you are wearing your basketball shoes for the first time. Prevent your basketball shoes from the items mentioned above as they can erode the outsole and upper of your precious basketball shoes. I hope you found this article helpful.
