How to Clean Football Cleats


a player sitting on the bench wearing football cleats

This article is part of the What to Know about Football Cleats series.

There’s no denying that football is a physically demanding sport. One piece of football equipment that endures a significant amount of wear and tear is your football cleats. Throughout the season, you can keep your football cleats performing with simple care and cleaning routines. Our Footwear Experts walk you through how to clean football cleats!

What You’ll Need to Clean Your Football Cleats:

Step #1: Wear Football Cleats Only on the Field

Ensure your football cleats perform throughout the season by starting with proper care. Only wear them on the football field. Avoid wearing them to and from practice and games because walking on pavement can destroy the studs on the outsole, wearing them down and reducing grip and traction.

Step #2: Remove Laces, Insoles & Mud

  • Remove the laces and insoles. Set them aside.
  • Take the soft-bristle brush and start by brushing off any mud and grass from the cleats.

Step #3: Wash Laces & Insoles

  • Place your laces and insoles in a pillowcase.
  • Wash on a delicate cycle with a small amount of detergent.
  • When the cycle is complete, remove them from the washer and lay flat to dry.

Step #4: Hand Wash Your Cleats

  • Fill the sink or wash tub with warm water and a small amount of detergent.
  • Soak your football cleats for a few minutes. If your kids’ football cleats are smelly, let them soak longer to help remove the odor.
  • Take a toothbrush or small soft-bristle brush to scrub the uppers and outsoles.

Can You Put Football Cleats in the Washing Machine?

It’s not recommended to put your football cleats in the washing machine. The studs on the outsole could damage your machine and the upper of your cleats.

Step #5: Rinse Well & Air Dry

  • After removing all the dirt, stains, and grime, rinse the cleats with warm water.
  • Stuff the toes of the cleats with washcloths or newspaper.
  • Lay the cleats on a towel to air dry, avoiding direct sunlight. Do not put them in the dryer. It will take at least a day to completely dry your cleats.

By sticking to these easy care and cleaning steps, your football cleats will stay in great shape for the whole season. Taking care of your cleats like this will make them last longer and perform better on the field. If you have additional questions about buying football cleats, stop by your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN to speak with a Footwear Expert.

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