Your football cleats aren’t just part of your uniform—they’re the foundation of your game. Every sprint, cut, and explosive play depends on having the right traction, comfort, and support. But, after every battle on the field, your cleats take a beating.
Mud, turf pellets, sweat, and grime pile up fast and, if you don’t clean your cleats properly, they’ll wear down quickly and lose their grip. Keeping your cleats clean isn’t just about looking fresh (though that’s a bonus). It’s about maintaining peak performance.
However, properly cleaning your cleats is easy enough with a little know-how. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to clean football cleats so you can stay fast, remain sharp, and keep dominating every time you hit the field.
Why Cleaning Your Football Cleats Matters
Dirt, mud, and sweat can break down your cleats’ materials, weaken their support, and mess with your traction. A regular cleaning routine helps extend the life of your cleats—ensuring they stay:
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Ready for action
Performance and Durability: Stay at Your Peak
Football isn’t just a game—it’s a battle. And, in battle, your gear has to be as tough as you are. Dirt and grime break down materials faster, leading to weak spots and wear that can throw off your game. Keep your cleats clean and they’ll stay just as ready as you are when it’s go-time.
Steer Clear of Unpleasant Odors
Let’s be real—nobody likes a pair of soggy cleats (except for bacteria). Bacteria love warm, damp environments.1 Without proper cleaning, your cleats can begin to smell like a locker room. A regular cleaning routine of your football gear stops bacteria in their tracks and keeps your kicks fresh.
Grip Like a Pro
You wouldn’t play with worn-out football gloves, so why settle for cleats caked in dirt? When mud and grime clog up your studs, your traction suffers. Keep your cleats clean, and you’ll have the grip you need to cut, sprint, and leap with confidence.
Step 1: Remove Excess Dirt and Debris
Right after the game, get a head start on cleaning by
- Knocking your cleats together to shake off the loose dirt and dried mud. Don’t wait—letting it cake on only makes cleanup harder.
- Using a soft-bristled brush (such as an old toothbrush) to get into crevices. Clear out every bit of dirt so nothing messes with your grip.
After you’ve got the bulk of the mud off your kicks, you can begin deep-cleaning them to remove stains and odors.
Step 2: Take Out Laces and Insoles
Take the laces out and wash them separately. Toss them in a mesh bag in the washing machine or hand wash them with soap and water—either way, they’ll come out looking fresh.
Insoles soak up sweat like sponges, so don’t leave them in. Pull them out to let them dry properly and avoid bacteria buildup.
Step 3: Create or Buy a Safe Cleaning Solution
You can mix warm water with mild dish soap for an easy homemade cleaning solution or grab a specialty sneaker cleaner if you want to take it up a notch.
No matter how dirty your kicks are, however, avoid harsh chemicals such as:
- Bleach
- Alcohol
- Strong detergents
These cleaners are typically too rough for your cleats. Stick to mild soap or sneaker-safe products to keep your gear in top shape.
Step 4: Scrub and Wipe Down Cleats
Next, dip a cloth or brush in your cleaning solution and start scrubbing. Hit the seams, textured areas, and any spots with built-up grime to get your football drip looking game-ready again.
If the dirt won’t budge, let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again. Give some extra elbow grease to areas that see the most action.
Step 5: Rinse and Dry Properly
To dry off your freshly cleaned cleats, take a damp cloth and wipe away any leftover soap. Let your cleats air dry in a well-ventilated space. Avoid elevated temperatures from:
- Dryers
- Heaters
- Direct sunlight
These can break down your cleats’ material and cause them to age prematurely.
To help maintain their form as they dry, stuff your cleats with newspaper. Newspaper absorbs moisture and keeps your cleats in shape. Swap out the paper every few hours to speed up drying.
How to Remove Odors from Football Cleats
Sweat and moisture create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which leads to unwanted odors. You can, however, keep your cleats smelling fresh with a few simple tricks:
- Baking soda — Sprinkling baking soda inside your cleats overnight absorbs moisture and neutralizes pH levels to make them a less welcoming environment for bacteria.2 Shake it out in the morning and you’re good to go.
- Dryer sheets — Place a dryer sheet inside each cleat when you’re not wearing them for an easy, long-lasting fresh scent.
- Water and vinegar mixture — Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the inside of your cleats. Let them air dry completely before you wear them.
By using these odor-fighting methods, you’ll keep your cleats fresh, comfortable, and ready for action.
Battle Sports Football Gear: Built to Perform
Your cleats are your connection to the game, and taking care of them means taking pride in your performance. A clean pair of football cleats that fit well gives you the grip, comfort, and durability you need to shine on the field.
At Battle Sports, we build our gear for athletes who demand the best—gloves that enhance grip, football mouthguards that offer superior protection, and apparel that moves with you on every play. Every piece of equipment and football lifestyle apparel we create is also tested to perform under the toughest conditions so you can push your limits and keep playing at your peak.
Put in the work off the field, respect your equipment, and make sure every piece—from your cleats to your helmet—is game-ready. When your gear performs at its best, so do you.
Sources:
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. What conditions encourage bacteria to grow? https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Health-and-Safety/Food-Safety-FAQ/What-conditions-encourage-bacteria-to-grow
- National Geographic. How to get rid of shoe odor. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/lifestyle/article/how-to-get-rid-of-shoe-odor.
