How to Care for Soccer Shoes

It’s a no-brainer that your shoes are your most important piece of gear when it comes to soccer, so you had better take care of them. If properly maintained and cared for, your shoes will serve you well and last a long time. When you find that right pair, make sure you take good care of them. If you take good care of your shoes, they should take good care of you. It is more crucial that you practice a good maintenance routine with leather shoes but synthetic shoes would also do well to be cleaned regularly.

Some items to keep in mind for shoe care and maintenance:

Try to clean your shoes immediately after a match. Dirt and mud work to break down the upper materials of your soccer shoes and should be removed as soon as possible.

Once you have removed excess dirt from your shoes, apply some kind of leather cleaner/protectant to your shoes. There are many products available that you can use. Just make sure you use the product according to the user directions provided.

Wash your soccer shoes by hand. Avoid tossing your shoes in the washing machine. This would beat up on the shoes resulting in a shortened life span.

For soccer shoes that are extra dirty, try soaking the shoes in warm soapy water. Allow them to dry naturally or with the aid of a dehumidifier, or even near a warm air register. Do not throw your shoes into a clothes dryer. Too much heat, too fast will begin to damage the leather.

A soft bristled brush can be used to remove dirt from the uppers. Use a more coarse brush to remove dirt and soil from the outsoles of the shoes if clapping the soles together doesn’t do a thorough enough job.