While playing on the court, your basketball shoes must be clean, as clean shoes are essential for better grip and performance. Along with them, enhance your appearance as well. But how to clean basketball shoes and make them scuff-free is a matter of discussion.
Dirty shoes cause slipping and sliding, which causes severe injuries and affects your performance on the court. A clean pair of shoes help support your every move and step-back shot by providing better traction and grip.
Washing directly in a machine, rubbing and bleaching them can cause severe damage to your favourite basketball shoes. There are three common ways to clean basketball shoes. Each shoe box has special instructions regarding its cleaning.
This article provides complete guidelines on how to clean basketball shoes for better grip and traction. Let’s dive into detail with us to save your favourite sneakers and boost your performance on the court.
How to Clean Basketball Shoes By Hand
With the help of a few pieces of equipment and by following simple steps, you can enhance your on-court performance.
Requirement
- Shoe Brush
- Tooth Brush
- Clean Cloth
- Warm Water
- Mild Detergent
Procedure
Remove the dirt and dust
With the help of a dry shoe brush, remove the dirt and dust from the outside and inside of the shoe. In case of a mud spot, remove it thoroughly so the new stains vanish. You can also use a damp cloth to remove the mud.
Let the mud dry if the shoe has an absorbent part, like canvas or mesh. After that, use a soft-bristled brush and remove the mud and dirt. You can also use a toothbrush in place of a shoe brush.
Make the Cleaning Solution
Now take some warm water in a tub and mix mild laundry detergent. You can also use your dish soap to make the cleaning paste but be careful while using dish soap. It can cause discolouration if used in excess amounts.
In the case of white sneakers, then make the solution by adding a small quantity of baking soda in equal amounts of water. Never use hot water as they also cause fading of shoe colour.
Remove the Laces
Remove the laces before cleaning the shoe and wash them separately. Apply a small amount of cleaning solution on them and gently rub for one minute; rinse them thoroughly, and dav fry with the help of a soft cloth.
Wash Soles
Apply a small amount of cleansing mixture to the bristle brush or toothbrush. You can also use a soft cleaning cloth for it. And rotate it in a circular motion to remove all stains.
Clean the bottom of the shoes.
Use a toothbrush and soft-bristled brush and apply a small solution to clean the bottom of the sole. You can use a wet cloth to clean them as well.
Wipe Away Solution
Put another soft cloth on the shoe to wipe away all residue. Remember, never put pressure as it damages the leather part. Just tap with your finger.
Air Dry
Let the shoe dry in the air. Never use a cloth or hair dryer as they cause shrinking and cracking. If the shoe is still moist, put a piece of paper or cloth inside it.
Store the Basketball Shoe
Store the shoes in a shoe box or a shoe bag when they are dehydrated.
Cleaning Each Component of Basketball Shoes
It’s time to learn how to clean basketball shoe soles and make basketball shoes sticky to enhance performance.
Requirement
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Soft clean cloth
- Warm water
- Detergent/Soap
- Baking Soda
Procedure
Make the Cleaning Solution
Take some warm water in a tub and mix mild laundry detergent or dish soap in it. Mix a small quantity of baking soda in equal amounts of water to make a toothpaste-like paste.
Clean Soles
When you google how to grip a basketball better, they suggest you clean the sole with a wet cloth or towel or clean them properly after every game. But do you know how to clean the basketball shoes for better grip? Well! It is an easy task that you can do by yourself.
Apply a drop of toothpaste on a toothbrush and dip it in a small cleansing solution. You can also use a soft cleaning cloth for it. Rotate the toothbrush in a small circular motion to remove all stains and scuffs. Remove the remains and let them air dry.
Clean Insole
If you want to learn how to clean basketball shoe traction, focus on cleaning the insoles of your favourite pair. The insoles must be cleaned properly to enhance the game and eliminate false odour. Remove them from the shoe, clean them with baking soda, rinse them, and let them air dry.
Clean Shoelaces
Never clean shoes with laces. First, remove them, clean them with a mild cleaning solution, massage them for a few minutes, rinse them in a water tub, and let them air dry.
Clean Canvas
Canvas or mesh components can also be cleaned by the method discussed above. Apply a drop of toothpaste on a toothbrush and dip it in a small cleansing solution. Rotate the toothbrush in a small circular motion to remove all stains and scuffs. Remove the remains, place the canvas overnight, and let them air dry.
Clean Leather Component
As leather is soft and gets damaged easily. Therefore, use a soft clean cloth to remove dirt and mud from it. After that, apply toothpaste on your finger and dip it in the cleansing solution.
Then gently tap your finger on the leather. Clean the remaining toothpaste with a damp cloth and let them air dry.
How to Clean Basketball Shoes By Machine
However, washing your shoes in a washing machine is not safe, but some manufacturing companies can recommend using a washer. For this purpose
Requirement
- Washing Machine
- Towels
Procedure
Remove Laces and insole
Before putting the shoe in the washer, remove the laces and insole. Otherwise, they get tangled inside the machine and cause severe damage.
Put shoes in Washer
Set the machine to cool the water button and put some towels around the shoes to protect the leather and canvas from damage. You can also turn on a warm setting in case of dirty shoes.
Air Dry
Cloth Dryers and hair dryers can cause severe damage to the shoes. Therefore let them dry in free air.
How to Clean Smelly Basketball Shoes
Do you want to get rid of smelly basketball shoes? Wash them after every game and let them air dry. But still, if they are smelly, then do some extra work.
Here we suggest four ways to clean smelly basketball shoes.
- Take a quarter cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of baking powder, and a half cup of cornstarch and make a mixture. Now sprinkle this mixture on the shoes, put them in a soak, and leave overnight.
- Put your insoles inside the washing machine, but remember to put towels along with the soles and add some detergent. Wash them thoroughly and let them air dry.
- Sometimes the foul smell is caused by bacteria inside your shoes because of moisture. A crumpled newspaper helps absorb all moisture and thus eliminates bacteria and odour.
- If the above three methods do not work, soak your insoles for a few hours in a water-vinegar solution then air dry them.
Conclusion
In summary, squeaky-clean sneakers are essential to enhance on-court performance. Dirty and dusty soles result in reduced traction. You cannot jump, step, or shoot adequately; there are chances of injuries. Therefore, clean them by hand or in a washing machine to level up your game. Remove the dust with a brush, tap with a mild detergent solution, rinse them, and let them air dry.