As a basketball player, you know how important your shoes are. Discover what you can do to help increase the longevity of your pair with these tips.
You know that feeling you get when you open up a box of new basketball shoes? You lift the lid and remove the paper barrier to reveal the fresh footwear lying inside. They are crisp and perfect with stuffing that evokes the way they’ll look on your feet. They even have a certain smell of newness. Don’t you wish they could stay that way?
Players wear their shoes to practice, to games and even around town, but how can you keep them looking and feeling the way they did on day one?
Consider the following tips to keep your basketball shoes clean and in shape longer.
STORE THEM RIGHT
After a game, you might be stuffing your shoes deep into your gym bag, in a hurry to head out for some fun with your teammates and friends.
But leaving them in your gym bag for an extended time can cause them to lose their shape, putting a lot of pressure on the seams. It can also lead to a buildup of odor, since they can’t air out properly.
Instead, you should store your shoes in an open room or closet with plenty of airflow after wearing them. This will allow them to dry out before your next use. Once they’ve had time to dry out, store your shoes in their original box, rather than on your bedroom floor where they are easily vulnerable to getting kicked around or tripped over.
To help keep your footwear even more fresh, try using a shoe deodorizer, which can come in solid form or an easy-to-use spray.
You may also consider having a couple pairs of basketball shoes and rotate them between games, giving each pair more time to dry and less time in active use.
WEAR THEM ONLY ON THE COURT
The cardinal rule is to never wear your indoor shoes outside.
Doing so can cause your basketball shoes to lose both grip and color faster. If you avoid exposing them to the elements, they will likely last much longer.
By only wearing your shoes on the court, you can keep them cleaner as well. That means less wear and tear and less work for you to maintain them.
KEEP THEM CLEAN
If you want to keep your shoes in tip-top shape, regular cleanings are essential.
You should, at the very least, clean them after every game. Why? It can reduce general odor, help prevent loss of traction by removing debris from your tread, and keep your basketball shoes from deteriorating by reducing grime that can wear down your tread.
First, as general warning, don’t put your shoes in a washer or dryer. You should also avoid completely immersing them in water. Use these steps as a guide to properly wash your basketball shoes:
Remove excess dirt using a soft-bristled shoe brush or tooth brush to clean the sole on the outside of your shoe.
Mix warm water with just a drop of laundry detergent (or, if leather, a specialty leather cleaner). Apply a small amount to a sponge or soft cloth to clean dirty areas of the shoe.
Remove your insole and clean using a water/detergent mix.
Rinse excess soap off of the shoe and insole using just water on a second sponge.
Air dry your shoes at room temperature. You shouldn’t leave your shoes to dry in the sunlight or use direct heat (like a hair dryer).
Basketball shoes are one of the most important pieces of equipment you own, so it’s important to take care of them. If you keep your shoes clean and in good shape, it should help keep your footing firm and your appearance crisp and sharp.
Related Articles
How to Clean Basketball Shoes
Basketball shoes are an important investment. Not only do they cost quite a bit of money, but keeping them in tip-top shape allows you to play at the top of your game.
Dirty shoes don’t just look off, they also affect how you play. Extra grime cuts down on traction, which then causes you to slip and slide around the court. Clean sneakers come with no such issues.
Shoe maintenance is vital, but it is not as easy as you might think. The following guide covers the process, gives key pointers, and uses extra tips to shine light on what it takes to keep your footwear in tip-top shape.
Contents
All About the Upkeep
The Importance of Proper Storage
Use as Directed
Quick Tips: What Not to Do
A Long Term Investment
All About the Upkeep
There are many parts to a basketball shoe, and they all need to be washed during a thorough clean.
First, check the soles for any loose rocks or similar small debris. This won’t be a big concern for people who play indoors, but it is something to be aware of during the cleaning process. Use a toothpick to go inside the grooves and knock anything out that doesn’t belong.
Next, take a soft brush dipped in soapy water and gently scrub off any dirt build-up on the harder parts of the shoe. The bottom areas tend to have the most grime. That is where your focus should be. Once that’s done, use a damp cloth to gently wipe down the sides of the shoe. Scrub any tough stains, but do your best to not overwork the softer material. If you have white shoes, adding a bit of toothpaste to the cloth can give them extra shine.
After the cleaning process, lightly rinse down the shoe to get rid of any leftover suds. Then, drop the laces/insoles in the washing machine and set the rest of the shoe outside to properly air dry.
The Importance of Proper Storage
Storing your shoes is a big part of keeping them clean. Most players simply throw their footwear into their bag or the back of the car as soon as they’re done playing. That may not seem like a big deal, but it puts pressure on the seams, which can cause your shoes to lose their shape.
Always do your best to keep your sneakers in an open room or outdoor space with a lot of airflow after you finish on the court. That will give them time to dry out in-between sessions and keep them fresh. A spritz of shoe deodorizer goes a long way here as well.
Use as Directed
Though it may be tempting, you should never wear your shoes outside if you can avoid it. While some models are dual-use, most indoor basketball shoes are specifically made for the hardwood.
Wearing your shoes outside, even if you’re just going for a stroll, raises the chances that they will get grimy or dirty. Such use also causes more general wear because you’re using them on hard, unforgiving surfaces like asphalt or concrete.
If you want your shoes to last it is best to put them on right before getting on the court. Even wearing them to the gym creates unnecessary stress on the sneakers.
Quick Tips: What Not to Do
The above steps will keep your shoes clean for years. However, there are a few things that, while they seem like good ideas, you must avoid as well.
1. Never put your footwear in the washing machine or the dryer. Though a quick spin might be tempting, it can cause lasting damage to the soles and seams. Repeated drying sessions are especially detrimental.
2. In addition, always air dry your shoes when possible. Using vents, heaters, or even hair dryers can warp the rubber in the soles. This may not be something you notice right away, but it can severely lower your shoe’s longevity.
3. It is also important to avoid cleaning your shoes with scented laundry detergent, rubbing alcohol, and bleach. Such substances can leave behind greasy residue, and some stronger brands may even crack the soles.
Eco-friendly laundry detergent is fine on your sneakers, but more traditional options do more harm than good.
A Long Term Investment
Basketball shoes are a player’s best friend, and they need to be handled with care. It is easy to get complacent with shoe care, especially if you play a lot, but constant upkeep goes a long way.
You should clean your shoes about once a month, but that can be more or less depending on how often you play and what surfaces you play on. Just remember there is more to the process than a simple wash. It is the extra steps, such as storage and drying methods, that keep your favorite pair in great shape.
Sports shoe care
Sports shoe care
Shoes play a huge role in sports. Like any other, sports shoes require care to increase their service life, maintain their functionality, aesthetic and hygienic properties.
Selection and operation.
Choose your shoes according to size, fullness and pronation. If the size of the shoe does not match the size of your foot, then this can lead to discomfort, chafing, injury, and the shoe can wear out faster, for example, it can deform, the seams can open, the material can tear.
Take off and put on your shoes correctly. Trite, but true! Many dress, but most often take off their shoes incorrectly. Don't be lazy, unlace your sneakers well before putting them on or taking them off. Use a spoon. Do not take off your sneakers, stepping on the heel, this leads to deformation of the heel, respectively, does not hold the heel so tightly.
Use the shoes for the intended purpose. For example, playing volleyball in running shoes or running on rough terrain in running shoes. Manufacturers of professional sports shoes do not just spend huge amounts of money and effort on the study and development of models for a particular sport, taking into account its features.
Use different pairs of shoes for different surfaces, or indoors and outdoors.
Use sports socks (gaiters, stockings). Sports socks tightly fit the foot, remove excess moisture and heat well, forming an additional layer between the foot and the lining. Make sure the socks are suitable for the sport. The “right” socks will significantly improve comfort and convenience.
Sneakers will last longer if you alternate between different pairs every other day or every workout. Shoes should also "rest". Optimal 48 hours.
Do not use sneakers in aggressive environments (alkaline, acid).
Remember that each pair has its own "mileage" limit. Even if the sneakers look "presentable" after a year of continuous use, most likely they have exhausted their resource. For example, depreciation stopped working, and this is fraught with injuries. The same goes for repairing sports shoes.
Shoe care.
Shoes should be kept clean and dry to prevent bacterial growth and aging.
Periodically wipe the shoes with a damp cloth or wash.
Air out your shoes by removing the insoles.
It is better not to wash your sneakers in the washing machine. If you wash, then on a delicate mode and always without drying.
Removable items (laces, insoles) are washed separately.
Do not soak shoes for a long time. It is recommended to soak for no more than 30 minutes.
After training, dry your shoes at room temperature. In no case do not dry near heat sources, a hair dryer or on a radiator.
Replace insoles periodically.
Store shoes in a ventilated area.
Replace laces when worn.
After cleaning shoes with a GORE-TEX® membrane, it is recommended to treat the upper with a water-repellent spray. The membrane itself does not require additional processing, but its use involves the use of shoes in wet conditions, and here, just the processing will prevent the top of the sneakers from getting wet, preventing weighting. Treating GORE-TEX® shoes with high fat content is not recommended as they will clog the pores of the membrane.
Shoes with inserts made of natural materials (leather, suede, nubuck) are washed by hand in cool water without aggressive detergents. After washing, they are treated with agents that protect the properties of materials.
By following these simple guidelines, you will significantly increase the life of your running shoes.
Return to the list
How to clean white sneakers | Ideal Sport Blog
December 20, 2020
In fact, there are many very simple ways to answer the question; How to clean white sneakers.
The first of which is the most basic; soap, water.
All you need is regular dish soap - the same as you use to wash dishes - and mix it with a little warm water. You can also use white vinegar to replace dishwashing detergent.
Apply the cleaning solution to the cleaning sponge and you're done. This method is best for leather shoes, but can work with a variety of materials such as rubber or plastic. It is best to wipe the affected areas with short back and forth movements, as well as especially unpleasant scuffs and stains. Your best bet is to switch to a hard-bristled toothbrush (obviously you don't want to use one). When you're happy with the result, wipe off excess liquid with paper towels and let the sneakers dry. This method, while time consuming, is very good for cleaning small, specific areas and can be tailored to your needs depending on how thoroughly you clean. A word of warning, however, if you scrub too much, you can damage your shoes, so don't overdo it!
Bleach, toothpaste and baking soda
No, not all at the same time, but if you're looking for an option that's a little more, well, chemical, I have three alternatives. For bleach, simply dilute 1 part bleach to 5 parts water and then follow the instructions in the previous method. Be careful with bleach, make sure you do it in a well ventilated area, and under no circumstances overdo it with bleach. Too much bleach can make your lovely white sneakers look undesirable with a yellowish tint. Similarly, the bleaching method is not suitable for colored sneakers as it tends to fade.
Moving on to toothpaste, you can use the old toothbrush I mentioned earlier, even better by applying some Colgate to your white sneakers. Be sure to wet your shoes before applying the toothpaste so that it lathers up. This works best with fabric and mesh sneakers, so it's perfect for runners. As for the type of toothpaste you can use, it should be white non-gel toothpaste. None of the red, white, and blue you see in TV commercials. All of this can stain white sneakers that you try too hard to keep white.
Finally, in the top three - the baking soda method. Reminiscent of a chemistry class, it requires you to mix baking soda, vinegar, and hot water in a bowl until a thick paste forms. When the vinegar and baking soda combine, it will start to sizzle (which is a good sign). Once you're happy with the mixture, apply it to the sneakers in the affected areas and let it dry on the shoes for about 3-4 hours. It's best to leave your shoes in natural sunlight until you scrape off the dried paste with your fingernail. At this point, tap your shoes to remove dust and use a dry brush if necessary.
In the washing machine
If your shoes are especially dirty, smelly and usually in need of serious repair, you can always use a reliable washing machine. It is less labor intensive and very effective when deployed correctly. Are you asking how to clean white sneakers in the washing machine? It's really very simple. Everything is being prepared. To avoid damaging your washing machine, make sure you remove any surface debris, such as dry dirt, with a damp cloth. After that, remove the laces and the insole from the white shoes (wash them separately if necessary).
Finally, place the shoes in a pillowcase in a mesh bag or my favorite pillowcase along with something to wipe off the remnants of the washing machine drum towels so the shoes don't hit inside and deform. The most important aspect of this method is setting up the washing machine. Make sure you use the low spin or no spin setting, using the extra rinse feature if available, to remove any soap residue from your shoes.
Here is a pair that is also not worth considering; do not use a hot wash as this may damage the adhesive around some panels or between the upper and midsole of your shoes, and do not use fabric softener as the colors may stain your shoes. I would recommend washing only canvas and leather shoes in the washing machine, try not to wash genuine leather shoes in the washing machine.
Ways to prevent the need for cleaning
If you're one of those people who doesn't even want to think about how to clean white sneakers, here are some preventative steps you can take to make that knowledge a little less necessary for your white sneakers. . You may or may not already know that there are many products on the market that protect your shoes from all kinds of dirt and rot. For the most part, they usually work through some kind of spray that creates an invisible film on the surface of your sneakers, protecting them from dirt, stains, and liquids. About the same way we wear a raincoat so that our skin does not get wet. It's certainly not a one-time fix and needs to be reapplied regularly, but it's definitely a great barrier against a lot of dirt, dust, and general grime that can damage your white sneakers.
The last tip I'm going to give you, besides shoe protection, is about storage. Where you store your shoes is paramount to ensuring how well they store overall. Outside of duty, sneakers are usually stored in bags and shoe boxes, which, in case you didn't already know, aren't ideal in terms of their (pardon the pun) expiration date. Microscopic dust and dirt floats everywhere, especially in confined spaces like restrooms, over time shoe materials - especially knits, suede and mesh - collect these dust particles which ultimately affect the overall look of your running shoes.
That will give them time to dry out in-between sessions and keep them fresh. A spritz of shoe deodorizer goes a long way here as well.
Though a quick spin might be tempting, it can cause lasting damage to the soles and seams. Repeated drying sessions are especially detrimental.
Just remember there is more to the process than a simple wash. It is the extra steps, such as storage and drying methods, that keep your favorite pair in great shape.
Even if the sneakers look "presentable" after a year of continuous use, most likely they have exhausted their resource. For example, depreciation stopped working, and this is fraught with injuries. The same goes for repairing sports shoes. 
For bleach, simply dilute 1 part bleach to 5 parts water and then follow the instructions in the previous method. Be careful with bleach, make sure you do it in a well ventilated area, and under no circumstances overdo it with bleach. Too much bleach can make your lovely white sneakers look undesirable with a yellowish tint. Similarly, the bleaching method is not suitable for colored sneakers as it tends to fade. 
When the vinegar and baking soda combine, it will start to sizzle (which is a good sign). Once you're happy with the mixture, apply it to the sneakers in the affected areas and let it dry on the shoes for about 3-4 hours. It's best to leave your shoes in natural sunlight until you scrape off the dried paste with your fingernail. At this point, tap your shoes to remove dust and use a dry brush if necessary. 
The most important aspect of this method is setting up the washing machine. Make sure you use the low spin or no spin setting, using the extra rinse feature if available, to remove any soap residue from your shoes. 
For the most part, they usually work through some kind of spray that creates an invisible film on the surface of your sneakers, protecting them from dirt, stains, and liquids. About the same way we wear a raincoat so that our skin does not get wet. It's certainly not a one-time fix and needs to be reapplied regularly, but it's definitely a great barrier against a lot of dirt, dust, and general grime that can damage your white sneakers. 
