How to Clean Nike Shoes

Dirty Nike shoes

Your Nike shoes are probably getting a workout on the gym floor while you are exercising or playing sports. If they begin to smell like your gym locker or your armpit after a few weeks then you will need to clean them. But, how can you do it without damaging the shoes, reshaping the soles, or shrinking them? After all, you paid quite a bit for your Nikes and you can’t afford to purchase a new pair yet. Additionally, you don’t want to alter that perfect fit and mess up your moves. Here are some easy steps to get those Nike shoes looking and smelling almost like new.

Things You'll Need

• A dirty pair of Nike shoes
• A toothbrush
• A fan
• Liquid dishwasher detergent
• A dishwasher
• A new pair of shoelaces

Instructions

1. Check the soles of your Nike shoes for areas you need to pre-scrub. If there are stains, or ground-in dirt, then use a toothbrush and gently scrub until most of it is removed. If necessary, put a little liquid dishwasher detergent on the bristles of the toothbrush.

2. Remove the shoelaces and lift the tongue of the Nikes to expose as much of the inside as possible.

3. 

   Place the shoes, bottoms up, on the bottom rack of your dishwasher. Place the shoes several inches apart. Add the dishwasher detergent to the machine. Do not put dirty dishes in with your shoes. Set your dishwasher on the normal cycle but be sure to turn off the heat dry cycle.

4. When the dishwasher cycle is finished, remove the shoes right away. If the shoes have any residue on them, gently brush it off with the toothbrush. If any areas are not as clean as you would like scrub the area with the toothbrush.

5. 

   Lift the tongue out of the shoe and lay it over the toe of the shoe to expose as much of the inside of the shoe as possible. Place the shoes under a fan set at medium speed overnight.

6. In the morning, your Nike shoes should be clean, dry, and odor free. You just need to put the new shoelaces in and head off to the gym.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot buy new shoelaces, place the dirty ones inside a pillowcase and run them through the washing machine with a load of laundry. Go ahead and toss them into the dryer inside the pillowcase as well. They should come out nice and clean.

• If you cannot turn off the heat cycle on your dishwasher then place the shoes on the top rack. Otherwise the heat might melt your soles.

• Don't put Nikes in a clothes dryer to dry them. The heat and tumbling can crack the soles, shrink, and reshape the shoes.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish