Bowlers know that having clean bowling shoes is essential to maintain good traction and slide smoothly on the lane. However, many bowlers do not correctly clean their bowling shoes. This article will provide instructions on how to clean bowling shoes. Your bowling shoes will be clean and in good condition for your next game if you follow these instructions!
Bowling Shoes are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria if not adequately cleaned. Bowlers track a lot of germs and bacteria into the bowling center from their shoes. If these germs and bacteria remain in the bowling shoe, they will spread to other bowlers at the alley. Thus, keeping your bowling shoes clean is essential for all bowlers!
Required Materials
- Dish Soap
- Gloves
- Bowl or Bucket
- Sponges or Scrub Brushes
- Rags
- Vaccum
A Step by Step Guide on How to Clean Bowling Shoes
Step 1: Determine How Dirty the Shoes Are
As a general rule, bowling shoes should be cleaned after every use to prevent dirt and grime from building up. How dirty the shoes are will determine whether a quick cleaning is in order or a deep clean is required.
For example, if you bowl once per week, simply wiping down the outsoles with soap and water might work fine. On the other hand, if you get your bowling shoes dirty every week, you may want to use more rigorous methods such as scrubbing or even throwing them in the washing machine.
Step 2: Clean Outsoles With Dish Soap and Water
Try using dish soap and warm water if you’re looking for a simple way to freshen up your bowling shoes between uses. First, pour a small amount of soap into a bowl or bucket and add some warm water, then stir the mixture with your hand until it’s well combined. Next, fill a spray bottle with warm water and add a few shots of the dish soap mixture.
Next, spray the outsoles of your bowling shoes until they’re moist, then scrub them down with a sponge or scrub brush. If you don’t have one available, use your hands to remove grime and dirt. Once you’ve finished cleaning both outsoles, wipe them down thoroughly with a rag or towel to remove excess moisture.
Step 3: Dip Shoes in Cleaning Solution
Place one shoe inside the bowl so that the top surface is submerged halfway in the water/soap solution. Allow shoes to soak for approximately 2 minutes before removing them from the solution and wiping down the outsoles with a sponge or scrub brush.
If you encounter particularly stubborn areas, use a rag to scrub off caked-on dirt without losing traction on the soles of your bowling shoes. Repeat this process until both outsoles are completely clean, then let shoes air dry for several hours or overnight before using again.
Step 4: Clean Inside of Shoes
After allowing shoes to air-dry overnight, it’s time to clean the inside. First, removee both insoles from both shoes and sprinkle them with a generous amount of baking soda. Be sure to turn the insoles upside-down, so the bottoms are facing up, then shake out as much excess powder as possible before placing them back inside your bowling shoes.
How dirty they appear will determine how much baking soda you’ll need to use. If your insoles look relatively clean, you can skip this step or sprinkle a little bit over each insole evenly. On the other hand, if there is a noticeable film on top of the insoles, try sprinkling more baking soda directly onto them until all dirt is removed.
Step 5: Use a Vacuum to Remove Dirt From Shoes
Flip the insoles of your bowling shoes inside out, then use a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and dust from the soles gently. If you think there’s still some grime stuck in between the ridges on top of the insole after brushing it away, try using an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to suck up all remaining particles.
Next, let each insole sit overnight with baking soda sprinkled over them before replacing them with your bowling shoes. How often you do this will determine how many times you need to sprinkle baking soda onto them afterward before they’re completely clean again.
Step 6: Dump Out Any Excess Water
Once your bowling shoes have been thoroughly washed and dried, check for excess water inside before storing them away. Just take a whiff of any shoe to determine whether or not there’s still water hiding inside.
If it smells damp, use an old cloth or towel to wipe out as much as possible before placing back into your bag. Any time you notice that your bowling shoes aren’t completely dry after being washed, it may be necessary to dump out the excess moisture from both insoles and outsoles before putting them away again.
Step 7: Keep Bowling Shoes in a Cool Place
Store your bowling shoes somewhere cool and dry rather than hot and humid, as the latter environment will cause your shoes to retain moisture and start to smell bad. If possible, try placing them in a separate bag or case that isn’t shared with your other bowling gear.
How often you wash your bowling shoes will determine how quickly they begin to stink due to excess moisture. Maintaining them after washing is also essential for preventing this from happening again. Finally, whenever you’re finished bowling, be sure to let the shoe air dry thoroughly before putting them away.
How often this needs to be done depends on how quickly they begin smelling once washed – if it doesn’t take long at all, you can air dry after every use without needing to clean them constantly. How often you clean your bowling shoes will depend on how frequently you use them, how dirty they become, and the type of material they’re made from.
How often this needs to be done depends on what kind of shoe cleaner/solution you use to clean them – some are more effective than others, but it can vary depending on the manufacturer. These steps will help in how to clean bowling shoes.
Tips and Warnings
Tips
- Wash the insides of your bowling shoes with warm water and mild soap. This will remove dirt and any crusted-on substances from the inside of the shoe where you cannot see them. It is good to use a brush or scrubber if they are filthy.
- Spray the insides of the shoes with an antiseptic or disinfectant spray. This will kill bacteria, germs, and fungus, leading to stinky feet and athlete’s foot.
- Allow the bowling shoes to air dry gradually, away from heat sources like radiators and heaters (which can de-shape and distort them). If possible, place them in direct sunlight to help kill any remaining bacteria.
- Replace shoes if they are being worn down on the bottom, as this can cause injuries.
- Wash your bowling clothes at least once a week.
Warnings
- Never use bleach or harsh chemicals on your bowling shoes, as these can ruin the materials. Also, do not overheat them when drying them; this may melt the plastic components.
- Do not machine wash or dry your bowling shoes. The extreme tumbling action of a washing machine will damage the internal seams and stitching on some models, while high needle numbers on some dryers may also lead to tears in the fabric.
- Avoid storing moist or wet bowling shoes for long periods after cleaning because they are more likely to degrade faster than dry ones.
- If you have leather bowling shoes, be sure that you condition them regularly with a suitable leather conditioner to help prolong the life of the boots.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article on how to clean bowling shoes. This is a simple and inexpensive way for bowlers everywhere to keep their equipment in good shape while also saving money! Be sure to check out other posts we’ve written about the sport of bowling and share this article with your friends who may be interested in learning more information about cleaning their bowling shoes or those around them.
