how to clean wrestling shoes
Clean your wrestling shoes, welcome the highest level of conditioning. Improve your game today!
Published: 18 Apr 2025
If your wrestling shoes are dirty, it can affect your performance during the game. So, cleaning your shoes regularly can be a small step toward your success. Want to know how to clean wrestling shoes? These shoes can be cleaned with the same techniques and tools as sneakers, basketball shoes, and other athletic shoes. But since the material of wrestling shoes is much more delicate than other shoe materials, it is important to exercise some caution. By completing this routine, you will be able to keep your wrestling shoes clean, clean them in the washing machine (although machine cleaning is not recommended), and eliminate odors from your wrestling shoes. Let’s learn step by step.
summary
Keeping your wrestling shoes clean is essential for both performance and hygiene. Regular cleaning helps prevent the spread of infections like ringworm and impetigo, commonly transmitted through dirty mats and shoe soles. Disinfect your shoes with antiviral sprays, focus on cleaning the soles, and avoid wearing them outside. While machine washing is possible for some shoes, it’s best to check the label and use gentle settings. Hand-cleaning with dish soap, toothpaste, or baking soda is also effective. Always air-dry shoes and accessories, and use baking soda to prevent odors.
Read on to learn more about how to clean wrestling shoes.
Disinfecting the Shoes Regularly
1 Keep dirty shoes away from wrestling mats. Wrestlers often complain about contracting infectious skin diseases such as ringworm and impetigo, as well as other viral, fungal, and bacterial illnesses that can be picked up from wrestling mats during the game. Researchers have found that one of the main causes of the spread of disease is germs on the soles of contaminated shoes.
- Whether you are a wrestler, coach, official, or something else, make it a rule to properly disinfect your wrestling shoes before stepping on the mat.
2 Spray your shoes with disinfectant.
To disinfect your wrestling shoes, use a disinfectant spray or cleaner that has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Lysol brand IC is a popular choice.
- Follow the product instructions exactly when using the solution.
3 Pay attention to the soles of your shoes. It is best to clean the entire shoe, but the soles are a major breeding ground for germs. When you clean and maintain your shoes regularly, you don’t need to clean them from top to bottom every time. Whether your shoes are old or new, try to clean the contaminated soles regularly—this will protect you and others from contracting diseases.
4 Wipe your shoes with a cloth soaked in a disinfectant solution every time you step onto the wrestling mat.
Keep a damp cloth soaked in disinfectant solution next to the wrestling mat. This makes it much easier to keep the mat clean.
- You can also buy doormat-type products designed to clean and disinfect the bottom of wrestling shoes.
Washing Them Inside and Out
1 Follow the instructions that come with your shoes for cleaning. Not all types of shoes are machine-washable. However, with a little care, most shoes can be machine washed. Due to the durability and quick-drying ability of many wrestling shoes, you will usually find a recommendation that they can be washed in a machine.
- Check the shoe tag, or call or visit the shoe company’s website.
2 Toss the shoes in the washing machine with cold water, a little detergent, and a few clothes. Remove the insoles and laces and wash them separately. Run the machine with cold water and a small amount of detergent, add a few old towels, and choose the gentlest wash setting. Place the shoes in a mesh bag or old pillowcase and throw them in the machine.
- Tie the bag tightly to prevent the shoes from slipping out.
3 Air dry the shoes at room temperature.
Let the shoes air dry away from direct sunlight or any other heat source. Stuff the shoes with newspaper to speed up the drying process.
- Wrestling shoes dry faster than other shoes, so don’t rush them into a high-heat dryer and damage the material.
Dealing with Scuffs and Smells
1 Wipe your shoes with a cloth soaked in warm water and dish soap.
Most wrestling coaches recommend wearing your shoes only on the mat. However, if they get dirty or you wear them outside, mix dish soap with warm water and wipe them with a cloth soaked in it. You can also use a toothbrush to clean your shoes if you want.
2 Toothpaste can be used to clean dirt stains on your shoes.
To do this, apply a small amount of white toothpaste to a wet toothbrush and rub it in a circular motion over the stain. Wipe the dirty toothpaste off with a clean, damp cloth.
If you prefer, you can use your fingers or a clean cloth instead of a toothbrush.
- Instead of toothpaste, you can also make a paste of baking soda and water. Mix them to the consistency of toothpaste.
3 Machine or hand wash shoelaces and insoles.
Removing the insoles and laces and washing them separately helps clean them more thoroughly. Just like shoes, laces and insoles are easy to clean. If washing by hand, soak them in soapy water for a while and scrub them with a toothbrush. When you’re sure they’re clean, rinse them under running water. If using a machine, place them in a mesh bag and throw them in.
- Make sure the laces and insoles are completely dry before putting them back in the shoes.
4 Sprinkle baking soda on your shoes to keep them odor-free.
Well-washed shoes don’t smell bad, but if they aren’t completely dry and you start wearing them, they will start to smell. You can remove this odor by sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda inside the shoes and leaving them overnight. Shake them well before wearing.
- Before sprinkling baking soda on your shoes, dry them thoroughly.
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About This Article
Co-authored by:Alex Carter
wrestling enthusiast
Co-authors: 12
Updated: April 18, 2025
Alex Carter
wrestling enthusiastt
2025