How to Care for Your Running Shoes?

Can I wash my running shoes?

You didn’t manage to sidestep that mud puddle on your last run and now your runners look 2 years old instead of 2 months old.  Now you want to know how to wash running shoes. Can you throw your runners in the washing machine?  NO!  If you really need to get your running shoes clean looking again, do not immerse them in water.  First, proper running shoe care is to let them dry naturally and try to get as much dirt and mud off with a simple brush.  Still not clean enough?  Go to them with a damp cloth and and toothbrush and then let them air dry.  Keep in mind that cleaning your running shoes won’t generally prolong the life of your running shoes, but they will look good. The cushioning, air, shox, soles of the running shoe are mostly what breaks down that end the life of the running shoe.

Which brings us to our next question:
My dryer came with a handy dryer rack for shoes.  Can I put my running shoes in the dryer on this rack?

NO – keep your running shoes away from heat sources – dryers, radiators, direct sunshine, heating vents or ovens.  Any type of heat will dry out the cushioning materials prematurely.  Heat will also harden any glues that hold the running shoe together which will cause the shoe to separate.

If you notice that the outer sole is wearing down to the midsole, pick up some Freesole or Shoe Goo to prolong the life of the outer sole.  The cushioning in running shoes should generally last from 400 to 600 miles.  Your feet and body will let you know when your runners need replacing.  You only want to prolong the life of the outer sole if your runners are still young.

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