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Are you a climber and looking for the perfect way how to clean climbing shoes? To climb challenging routes, climbers need shoes that provide grip and support. Climbing shoes play an important role in the overall climbing experience. They are designed to provide you with a secure foothold, regardless of whether you’re tackling an indoor climbing wall or an outdoor rock face. Unfortunately, climbing shoes can get quite dirty over time due to sweat, dirt, and grime.
If you want to become a perfect climber, you should have proper knowledge regarding how to clean climbing shoes. Cleaning your climbing shoes is a must if you want them to stay in top condition and last a long time.
A pair of dirty climbing shoes can affect performance and put you in danger while on the wall. Fortunately, cleaning climbing shoes doesn’t have to be a difficult task. All it takes is some basic knowledge and a few simple steps.
5 Proven Steps To Clean Climbing Shoes
Here are five proven steps, if you properly follow them you’ll see guaranteed results. We will discuss both the method that how to clean climbing shoes by using a brush as well as a mild detergent or soap.
Preparing Shoes for Cleaning
Walking around with a pair of dirty and smelly climbing shoes is far from ideal. it can cause embarrassment but it’s also important to keep your shoes in good condition for optimum performance. Cleaning your climbing shoes need not be an arduous task; in fact, with the proper method, you can change your climbing shoes’ condition as well as new ones in no time!
Method 1: Flush with water
Things You Need:
- Climbing Shoes.
- Lukewarm water running water.
- A soft toothbrush.
- Small piece of cloth or towel.
Step 1: Hold shoes under warm luke running water
In the first step, you have to wash your climbing shoes with lukewarm running water. Simply hold your favorite pair and rinse the water on it.
Step 2: Gently Brush Your Climbing Shoes
In the second step regarding how to clean climbing shoes, you have to gently brush your shoes or use your hand. It is recommended to use a soft toothbrush in order to clean them. Cover the inside and outside, and rotate the shoes so the water flows evenly. Not brushing too hard, may cause damage to its material.
If you’re interested in cleaning shoes, you can consider our guide regarding how to wash hey dude shoes
Step 3: Squeeze and stuff
In this step, you need a small piece of microfiber cloth, newspaper, or some other absorbent material. You have to do this in order to keep your shoes dry and maintain their shape. When the shoes are stuffed, you can squeeze them to remove some moisture. This is not mandatory, but it will increase the speed of drying your favorite pair.
Step 4: Dry Your Climbing Shoes
In the fourth and last step regarding how to clean climbing shoes, you have to dry your climbing shoes. Simply hang them outside in the open and fresh air, but make sure to save them from the direct heat of sunlight. Normally it takes a day to completely dry or it depending on the climate.
Method 2: Clean With Soap
Things You Need:
- Climbing Shoes.
- Mild detergent or soap.
- Basin.
Step 1: Add Soap or Detergent To Basin
For this step, again lukewarm water will be the perfect option. Make sure the water temperature isn’t too hot. If the area of your basin is large, you can wash multiple shoes at a time. Laundry detergent is recommended for this step. You don’t need a lot of soap to remove dirt and grime from your shoes.
Step 2: Flush and Soap
In the second step about how to clean climbing shoes, you have to allow your shoes to soak. You can soak them for 30 to 60 mins, but a shorter soak may be an effective option. Make sure that the shoes are fully submerged in the basin. As the first method, you can brush your shoes if you’d like.
Step 3: Squeeze and Stuff
The last two steps are entirely the same as the first method. After the shoes have soaked, you can drain the water not only from the basin but also from the shoes. You need a small piece of microfiber cloth, newspaper, or some other absorbent material.
You have to do this in order to keep your shoes dry and maintain their shape. When the shoes are stuffed, you can squeeze them to remove some moisture. This is not mandatory, but it will increase the speed of drying your favorite pair.
Step 4: dry Your Favourite pair
The fourth and last step regarding how to clean climbing shoes is to dry your favorite pair. You can hang them outside your house or in the open and fresh air. But make sure to protect them from the direct heat of sunlight, as it may cause damage to their material. Normally they take a whole day in order to dry completely or it depends on your regional climate.
Conclusion: (How to clean climbing shoes)
We hope you enjoy this particular guide regarding how to clean climbing shoes. If you follow our proven steps, you will see magical results. Below we will discuss some of the most common queries about this particular topic, so keep reading!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do you get the smell out of climbing shoes?
If you’re worried and wanted to get rid of the smelling climbing shoes, you have to try baking soda. It kills the bacteria and grime from the surface of the shoes and gives them a fresh smell.
Does water damage climbing shoes?
The answer is “No”. The water can’t ruin the material of climbing shoes. You should use lukewarm water in order to clean them. But make sure not to use hot water, as it may cause damage to its material. To know in detail, you can read our article on how to clean climbing shoes.
Can I soak my climbing shoes in vinegar?
The answer is “Yes”. You can soap your climbing shoes in vinegar. Vinegar is an excellent option in order to get rid of the dirty smell from your favorite pair. But never leave the vinegar in your climbing shoes for an extended period, a residual vinegar smell may plague you for weeks.
What kind of soap to use on climbing shoes?
You can use mild soap, but laundry detergent is recommended for this step. You don’t need a lot of soap to remove dirt and grime from your shoes.
