We’ve all been there, on the drive home after a long run and the smell hits you. It’s your trail runners, and they are stinking up the car. But have no fear, getting your shoes clean and looking almost new is pretty much as easy as throwing them in the washer. So to keep your kicks smelling fresh and clean, below I’ll show you a complete step by step guide on how to wash trail running shoes. Along with pictures and few tips you might not have heard before.
How to Wash Trail Running Shoes
It’s actually a lot easier than you think to wash your trail runners. Below we’ll go over the three things you need to get going, and the seven steps it takes to get them finished. Along with a bonus tip to help them keep their shape. Let’s get it!
What you need:
- Washing machine
- Laundry detergent
- Clean towels
Step by Step Washing Instructions:
1. Remove any loose dirt:
Remove any loose or caked on dirt by banging and shaking the shoes out, outside before you wash them.
2. Double tie the shoelaces
To keep the laces from catching on anything, make sure to double tie the laces on both the shoes before washing.
3. Tuck the shoelaces in the shoes
After double tying your shoelaces tuck the laces into the shoes to better help prevent them from catching on anything.
4. Set the washing machine to a delicate or gentle cycle with cold water
Before placing your shoes into the washing machine, make sure you have set the washing machine to delicate, and cold the cold water setting.
5. Place your shoes in the washer and start the load
Once you have the load set on delicate and cold, place your shoes in the washer and start the washing machine.
6. Add the laundry detergent
As the laundry machine starts to fill, add about 1/4 of the laundry detergent you would use on a normal load to the wash, and shut the lid.
7. Allow to air dry
Once the wash cycle is complete, remove the shoes from the washer and place them in a warm dry location allowing them to air dry.
Bonus tip * Stuff with towel to help retain shape
While you are letting your trail running shoes air dry, stuff a towel inside each shoe to help them keep their shape while drying.
And that’s it! Just let it dry completely and you are ready to hit the trails.
Closing Thoughts on How to Wash Your Trail Running Shoes
As you can tell from the steps above, washing your trail runners is incredibly easy. Meaning you, and others, don’t need to suffer from that dirty shoe smell. As a bonus this can also bring some new life into an old looking pair of trail running shoes. For example, I just washed a pair of Speedgoats that have a little life left on them to serve as my backups for a 100 miler. Meaning they won’t stink up the crew car while waiting for me. And they look halfway decent. So freshen up your running shoe and run smelling good.