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Do you want to clean your bowling shoes at home but don’t know how?
You’ve bought bowling shoes online or even in a department store. You’ve taken them out of the box, tried them on and now you’re wearing them. You bend down, balance yourself and take your first few steps on the lanes. Only to know it’s not good enough. Your feet are aching from all the rubbing that’s been happening and you can feel your shoes slipping off. No worries, as long as you know how to clean bowling shoes at home easily.
Bowling Shoes can be expensive so it’s important to take care of them. Even though you wear bowling shoes a lot, they need to be cleaned the right way in order for them to last for a long time. There are special products that help clean bowling shoes and because of this, it may seem difficult when trying to do it yourself. This article will help you learn how to clean bowling shoes at home by giving you tips and helpful information.
Step 1. Brush the soles of your shoes
A pair of bowling shoes is a must-have. If you want to succeed in the game, you need the right pair of shoes. The soles of your bowling shoes help you slide across the lane and give you the right grip on the ground.
It’s imperative that you keep your bowling shoes clean. If you don’t do this, your traction will go down and you won’t be able to perform at your best level. You’ll find it harder to hit the pins and stay on your feet as well.
While some people choose to toss their shoes as soon as they get dirty, there are some simple steps you can take to clean them up and make them look like new again:
Brush the soles of your shoes
Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove any dirt or debris from the soles of your bowling shoes. Pay close attention to any sticky substances that might have accumulated on them over time. Also, make sure that you clean out any grooves by running your brush back and forth across them until they’re free of dirt and grime.
Step 2. Remove any debris
Clean your bowling shoes regularly. The more frequently you clean your shoes, the less time you’ll need to spend on each cleaning session. Wipe off any dirt or debris after every use, and wash your shoes at least once a month.
Remove any debris. Before attempting to clean your bowling shoes, make sure they are free of any debris that could gum up the works. Any dirt, lint or other debris should be removed before going further with the cleaning process.
Clean the soles using a damp cloth. Using a soft cloth, wipe down the rubber soles of your shoes with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. Don’t immerse your shoes in water; just use enough liquid to dampen the cloth and wipe down the sole of each shoe. This will help remove any dirt or oils that may have accumulated on the rubberized surface of the sole.
Step 3. Remove the shoe laces
Since these are not normal walking shoes, you cannot simply wash them without damaging them. It would be best if you cleaned them with care so that they last longer and remain in good condition. Here are some simple ways by which you can clean your favorite pair of bowling shoes.
The first step towards cleaning your pair of bowling shoes is removing the shoe laces from them. This will make it easier for you to clean off any dirt or stain from inside and outside of the shoe. Laces also tend to get stained from prolonged use, so remove them as well and clean them separately. You can soak them in soapy water and let them dry naturally
Step 4. Spray down your shoes
Cleaning your bowling shoes helps them last longer and prevents you from tracking dirt and grime into the bowling alley. Since most bowling alleys don’t allow you to wear your street shoes on the lanes, it’s important to clean your bowling shoes regularly. Cleaning your shoes properly also helps you slide better on the lane, which can improve your score.
- If the soles of your shoes are sticky, use a toothbrush to scrub off the residue. Apply a small amount of liquid dish soap onto the bristles of the toothbrush and scrub until all of the sticky material is gone.
- Rinse off any soap that may be left on your shoes with warm water. Allow them to air dry for about 30 minutes before proceeding to Step 3.
- Wipe down each shoe with an alcohol-based wipe. This will disinfect your shoes and remove any dirt or grime that may have been left behind from before you cleaned them.
- Spray down your shoes with a disinfectant spray. This will help kill germs and bacteria that can build up inside of your shoes over time. You should do this every time you go bowling or after every third time, depending on how often you bowl.
Step 5. Clean outside with a cloth or towel
Using a soft rag or towel, wipe down the outside of each shoe, paying special attention to areas that have become dirty over time, such as around the toes, where most of the wear occurs during bowling. Make sure you clean both sides and bottom of each shoe thoroughly. You can also use a specialized bowling shoe cleaner spray if you prefer not to mix your own solution of water and white vinegar. Be careful not to get your shoes wet, since this could damage them or break down the glue that holds them together.
Step 6. Clean inside the shoe with a cloth or towel
Before you put your shoes away, clean inside the shoe with a cloth or towel. Brush out any dirt, dust or debris that’s accumulated inside your shoe. You can also use a damp cloth or towel to wipe away any surface dirt or stains on the inside of the shoe.
Step 7. Stuff the shoe with newspaper to help it dry faster
Now that you’re done cleaning, it’s time to let your shoes dry!
This can be a time-consuming part of the process, especially if you have leather shoes. The leather material usually takes longer to dry and can get brittle if not dried properly.
To avoid this, fill up your shoes with newspaper so they dry faster. You can also try stuffing them with old newspaper or towels to help absorb any moisture.
Just don’t forget to remove the paper before wearing your shoes again! Even though it might look like a good idea, the paper might eventually crumple and stick to your feet, making for an uncomfortable game of bowling.
Step 8. Replace all laces and inserts
Clean your bowling shoes on a regular basis to remove dirt and debris, and prevent bacteria from growing. To clean your shoes, start by wiping the outsides with a cloth and soapy water. Then, remove the insoles and clean them with the same soapy solution. Use an old toothbrush or a cotton swab to scrub any spots that are especially dirty. Then, rinse and dry both your shoes and the insoles before putting them back together.
Finally
Bowling shoes are easily one of the dirtiest things you’ll find yourself in on a regular basis, so it’s important to know how to keep them clean. Fortunately, learning how to clean bowling shoes isn’t very difficult at all; all you need is some leather cleaner, like Lexol cleaner, and a little bit of time.
