Cleaning your volleyball shoes is not only about making them look good. It is also (and mostly) about preserving them so you can keep using them for a long time (hopefully for couple seasons)
However, choosing the wrong cleaning methods might cause more harm than good and even cause a fast deterioration!
In this article I breakdown the most effective and safe ways to clean your volleyball shoes.
2 Natural Tips to clean volleyball shoes
Dry dusting
This method can be used in cases when there is just dust on the shoes. Such scenarios can come up after playing on a dusty surface.
You can take a dry cloth and remove the dust for the shoe. It’ll only remove the dust and is not useful when the shoes are dirty or have been into the mud.
Wet cloth
You can dip a cloth in water and rub the dirt off his shoes. This will clear the dust and dirt from the shoes to a great extent.
After clearing the shoe with a wet cloth, you can run a dry cloth over the shoe to avoid any further dust sticking on the surface.
Quick Thought: Wet cloth cleaning works best on EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) based shoes (Check this example)
3 Clearing products and the procedures to use them
Detergent
We all know how detergents work on clothes and clear the dirt off them. It works in a similar manner and helps clean volleyball shoes.
Dip the shoes in a detergent water solution for 30 minutes. Scrub the dirt off the shoes and let them dry in the sun.
Nail paint remover
Tired of seeing yellowish outsole? Well, nail paint remover can do wonders for you. To clear your side and outsole, you should apply this on it using an earbud.
Rub it well over the area. After applying this, use a wet cloth and clear the outsole well. There will be a noticeable difference.
Baking soda and vinegar
These elements can help you clear the rigid dirt from your shoes. They are very strong products, hence shouldn’t be used very often.
To use baking soda, you can make a solution of it with water and dip the shoes in it. Leave it for a while, then scrub the dirt off and let the shoes dry in sun.
How to clean white volleyball shoes? (4 Methods)
If you have beautiful white volleyball shoes (Like These), then check out these cleaning methods …
Use soap and water
If the dirt is not so much, then this method can help …
- Fill 240 ml of warm water with two teaspoons of dish soap.
- Stir the solution until it is completely dissolved.
- (However, keep in mind that you want the water to be soapy but clear.)
- Using an old toothbrush, dip it into the mixture.
- Begin by gently brushing the stain.
- (Make circular motions.)
- Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed and the shoe colour is even.
Magic eraser
It actually does magic to your shoes. Magic eraser is a rough textured foam-like substance. Using this is very easy.
You just need to add some water to it and rub the stain or dirt off the shoe using the same. It is very easy and convenient to use, hence a lot recommendable.
Bleach
This must only be used for very heavy stains. While using bleach, you must wear gloves and stay in a well-ventilated area. Following are the steps you should follow:
- To remove surface stains, use a sponge or toothbrush.
- You can apply a lot of pressure but concentrate on the soiled areas.
- Warm water should now be used to dampen a small microfiber towel.
- Squeeze the towel to remove any excess water.
- Dab the towel gently over the shoes.
- You can run sturdier shoes, such as boots, under the water tap to clean them.
- Finally, air-dry the shoes for five to six hours in a well-ventilated area.
Toothpaste
This is yet another most basic element. It is present with everyone hence becomes one of the most used methods of cleaning.
You just need to put some toothpaste on a brush and start scrubbing the shoe. After covering the whole shoe, leave it for around 20 minutes and clean with a wet cloth after that.
How frequently should you clean your volleyball shoes?
You should not clean your shoes after every practice session or so. Cleaning them once in a week or two is completely fine.
Cleaning every day can be bad for your volleyball shoes durability. Cleaning shoes may sound simple, but there are many mistakes you can make. These mistakes may ruin the shoe, make it less comfortable or to wear out.
Volleyball shoes common cleaning mistakes …
Scrubbing too hard: While scrubbing is necessary to clean the shoe, scrubbing too hard can be a big mistake. This can cause the upper material to tear off. Which in turn makes it problematic for the shoe owner to wear these shoes in practice.
Not letting them dry: After cleaning the shoe, you should give it an appropriate time to dry. If you wear partly wet shoes, then it’s bad both for you as well as the shoe. It may get wrinkles and tear out quickly due to water presence. Hence letting them dry is necessary.
Using over cleaning products: using cleaning products is a quick way to clean shoes. But overusing them can ruin the shoes. For instance, using too much bleach on a white shoes can make them go yellow. On the other hand, using a lot of vinegar can degrade the sole of the shoe. So one must use them in a wise manner and only when necessary.
One last mistake that more amateur do, is that they don’t clean the bottom of volleyball shoes.
Tips to remove bad smell from you shoes …
Put them out in sun: This can work to some extent. Just remove your shoes and put them out in the sun for a couple of hours. It will work to some extent but will fail to remove the smell if it is too much.
Green tea bag: This may sound weird but it works. You can put a green tea bag in each of your shoes overnight. The next morning you’ll be able to witness a major difference.
Shoe deodorant: If you want an instant solution to the bad smell, go for this. Just as you spray deodorant over your body, here you spray it in the shoe. This Shoes deodorant is a good example that you may want to try out.
Learn more tips to remove bad smell for volleyball shoes!
Should you wash your shoes in washing machine?
Many people tend to avoid everything and toss the shoe in the washing machine. Should you do it?
Although it is the fastest and easiest cleaning way, it may simply ruin your shoe. If you still wish to do this, then make sure the speed of the washer isn’t high as it may cause a tear in the shoe.
Also, make sure the temperature is as low as possible and choose a machine program that doesn’t run more than 30 minutes.
Finally, consider washing it with other clothes at the same time to avoid shocks.
Final Thoughts …
I don’t know about your budget, but if it allows you, I would definitely suggest you have 2 different pair of shoes …
Indeed, the way I would approach the whole thing is by using the first pair for 4 to 10 practices max. Then clean it properly and then start using the other one for the same amount of practices. Then, switch back and do the same. You know what I mean …
This will help you keep using both shoes for at least 3 seasons if not more!
Finally, I highly invite you to learn more about what makes a good quality volleyball shoes! You will learn a lot …