How to Clean Hiking Shoes（Step by Step）

Climbing shoes are good friends for outdoor sports enthusiasts. But that doesn’t mean tossing your filthy companions in the closet and forgetting about them is a good idea. Please remember to wash your hiking shoes well. So here comes the question: how to clean hiking shoes?
If you clean them regularly, they will last you a long time on the road, and you won’t have to buy new ones as soon. If you’re too tired to clean them right after a walk, do it the next day.

Tools You Need

To effectively clean your hiking shoes, you’ll need a few tools and supplies. Here are some commonly used tools for cleaning hiking shoes:
Soft Brush: A soft brush, like a shoe brush or a toothbrush, is useful for removing loose dirt, mud, and debris from the shoes’ exterior. It helps prepare the shoes for a more thorough cleaning.
Sponge or Soft Cloth: You can apply cleaning solutions and gently scrub the shoes’ surfaces with a sponge or a soft cloth. It helps get rid of spots and dirt without hurting the shoe’s materials.
Mild Detergent or Liquid Soap: Choose a light cleanser or liquid soap that is made for cleaning delicate fabrics or outdoor gear. Please read the directions on your chosen cleaning product and do what they say.
Towels: Keep a few clean, absorbent towels on hand for drying the shoes after cleaning. They help remove excess water and moisture from the shoes’ exterior.
Crumpled Newspaper or Dry Towels: Stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper or dry towels to prevent them from deforming after cleaning.

How to Clean Hiking Shoes（Step by Step）

Cleaning hiking shoes is an important part of keeping them in good shape and making sure they work well. Here’s a step-by-step plan to successfully clean your hiking shoes:

1. Remove Excess Dirt
   Begin by knocking off or brushing away any loose dirt, mud, or debris from the outer surface of your hiking shoes. Use cloth to scrub off the larger particles gently.
2. Prepare a Cleaning Solution
   Put water in a basin or sink. Don’t use hot water because it can hurt the shoes. Add a small amount of liquid soap or a light cleanser made just for outdoor gear. Blend the fluid until it looks like a soapy mixture.
3. Clean the Shoes
   Dip a sponge into the clean water and gently scrub the shoe, paying special attention to spots where dirt or stains are hard to remove.
   Move around in rings and be thorough but gentle so you don’t hurt the shoe’s materials. Pay close attention to the bottom, the joints, and any other places that feel different.
4. Rinse Thoroughly
   After you’re done cleaning the shoes, give them a good rinse with clean water to get rid of all the soap. Make sure to rinse both the exterior and interior of the shoes. You can use a gentle stream of water or a damp cloth to rinse off the soap.
5. Remove Excess Water
   After cleaning, lightly squeeze the shoes to get rid of any extra water. Avoid twisting or wringing them, as this can damage the shoe’s structure. Instead, press the shoes against a towel or use a clean towel to absorb the water.
6. Air Dry
   Let your hiking shoes dry in a well-ventilated place without full sunlight or near other heat sources. Stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper or clean, dry towels to help them keep their shape and absorb moisture from the inside. It’s important to let them dry all the way before putting them away or using them again.
7. Maintenance and Waterproofing
   After you’ve washed and dried your hiking shoes, use a spray or conditioner made for the shoes’ material to fix and condition them.
   To use the product, do what it says on the package. This step fixes or improves the shoe’s ability to keep water out and keep the foot safe.

Tips: Make sure to read the hiking shoe care guide because different materials may require different care. Your hiking shoes will last longer and work better in the great outdoors if you clean and take care of them regularly.

Consequences of Delaying Hiking Shoe Cleaning

Hiking performance, durability, and enjoyment may all take a hit if you put off cleaning your shoes. If you don’t clean your hiking shoes regularly, you risk the following:
Decreased Durability
During hiking and other outdoor activities, shoes are exposed to dirt, mud, rocks, and water, among other things. If you don’t clean these things off right away, they can build up and damage the shoe over time.
Impaired Breathability
Hiking shoes often have materials that let air in, like open areas or special fabrics, to help keep feet from sweating too much.
When dirt, dust, and sweat get into these materials, it can make it hard for them to breathe. If your hiking shoes don’t let enough air in, your feet may get hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable. That can make blisters, foot odor, and fungus diseases more likely.
Odor Build-Up
They may smell bad if you don’t clean your climbing shoes very often. Microbes that make smells can grow in shoes with sweat, dirt, and germs.
If you don’t clean your shoes properly, the smell will be harder to remove as time goes on.

Reduced Traction
The bottoms of climbing shoes are made to stick and stay in place on different surfaces. But dirt, mud, and other things on the soles can make them less effective.
It is more probable that you may slip and fall on wet or uneven ground if your hiking shoes have a worn-out foundation.
Increased Weight
Your outdoor shoes can get heavy as dirt, mud, and water build up on them. The extra weight can make traveling harder and wear you out faster. Also, too much wetness can make you uncomfortable and cause burns, especially if your socks and feet stay wet for a long time.
Potential Damage to Waterproofing
Many outdoor shoes are waterproof or resistant to water, so your feet will stay dry even if it rains. If you don’t clean your shoes, dirt, and other things don’t build up, making the protection less effective. It can make the item less resistant to water or cause it to stop being waterproof.

The End

Congratulations, you already know all the steps of How to Clean Hiking Shoes.
By doing these things, you can clean your hiking shoes well and ensure they are ready for your next trip outside.
Now, get out there and conquer the trails with your freshly cleaned hiking shoes!