How to Clean Golf Shoes and Look Great on the Links
The golf course is great for meeting new friends and making business connections. So making a good first impression and maintaining it is extremely crucial. Learning how to clean golf shoes is a good way to ensure this happens.
You always want to look in tip-top condition, and ensuring your shoes are clean and looking great is a fantastic place to start. But having clean golf shoes is not just about making a good impression; it’s also about feeling good, which boosts your confidence and allows you to give your best on the course.
Follow the steps below when cleaning golf shoes to maintain their appearance, functionality, and durability.
How to Clean Your Golf Shoes
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These steps apply to both synthetic golf shoes and leather golf shoes.
Step 1: Get your cleaning supplies
You want to have everything you’ll need before starting so you don’t have to leave in the middle to get something else.
Here’s what you’ll need:
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A soft-bristled brush
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A clean toothbrush
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A clean cloth
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A clean towel
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Some clean, warm water
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Mild liquid soap
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Some water-repellent spray
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Leather softener
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Some dry newspapers or paper towels
Once you have all these supplies in place, it's time to start cleaning your golf shoes.
Step 2: Remove debris using the brush
Before we get any water involved, it's important first to remove as much dirt as possible using the soft-bristled brush. This applies to both mesh shoes and leather shoes. Hold the first shoe steadily in one hand and brush off any mud, debris, and dirt around the golf shoe.
You can do this step in the sink, on a towel, outside on the grass, and in any other convenient place. Also, the toothbrush can get into the grooves and crevices for maximum effect.
If you were playing golf on a muddy course and brushing the golf shoes is not enough, you can rinse the shoes under clean running water to remove the mud. This can be especially good if you're dealing with dried mud on your golf shoes.
Step 3: Clean your golf shoes with water
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The next step to cleaning your golf shoes is using a cleaning solution made from warm water and mild soap. Pour the mild soap into the warm water to create the cleaning solution. You can either have the shoe cleaner solution in a bowl, clean bucket or do it in your sink.
Dip the clean cloth in the cleaning solution and gently scrub off the dirt from your golf shoes. Remember to be gentle and to use circular motions for the best results. Be especially careful when dealing with leather golf shoes to avoid ruining them.
Still, you can also use the soft-bristled brush to remove stubborn dirt if you're dealing with canvas golf shoes or mesh golf shoes. Feel free to use the toothbrush to remove any dirt on the soles or sides of the shoes.
Always remember to be careful and gentle to avoid ruining your priceless golf shoes. Once you're sure you've got all the dirt out of them, use the clean towel to wipe the shoe dry and remove all the soap if you're dealing with leather shoes.
If you're cleaning mesh or synthetic golf shoes, rinse them under clean running water to remove the soap and any dirt on the surface. Repeat the process as needed until you're satisfied.
Step 4: Dry your golf shoes
Successfully cleaning your golf shoes is not complete until you dry them properly. This is particularly important when dealing with leather golf shoes because you'll need to put newspapers or paper towels in the shoes to ensure they maintain their shape.
So, how do you dry your golf shoes? Use the clean towel to remove any excess water. Once finished, place your golf shoes in a well-ventilated space to air dry. Remember to stuff them with some clean newspapers or paper towels to ensure they retain their shape as they dry.
Avoid using a direct heat source such as a dryer to dry your shoes because this can ruin them.
Step 5: Do some after-care
Once you've left your shoes air-dry and are satisfied with the result, it's time for some after-care activities. This step helps protect them from the elements and ensures they remain in good working condition.
If you have leather golf shoes, this is the part where you apply leather cream, which adds colour to your golf shoe, moisturizes the leather, and adds a layer of protection. This practice is especially important when you're dealing with white shoes.
If you're not handling leather golf shoes, and they aren't 100% waterproof, you can use a water-repellent spray to add extra protection from water and moisture. The spray will protect your golf shoes from any water you'll encounter on the golf course.
Try to cover the entire shoe, including the soles, while using the water-repellent spray for maximum protection.
After covering how to clean golf shoes, let's look at some must-do tips and tricks to help you maintain clean shoes and give you an easier time when cleaning them.
Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Clean Golf Shoes
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Carry wet wipes you can use to wipe your golf shoes every now and then while you're on the golf course. This will make it easier to clean them later because the dirt won't have stuck on them. Doing this also helps maintain the appearance and functionality of your golf shoes over an extended period of time.
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Stuff some newspapers or paper towels in your golf shoes as they dry to help them maintain their shape. This is especially crucial when dealing with leather golf shoes.
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Don't use strong bleaches or detergents when cleaning your shoes to avoid damaging the material. This applies to mesh, leather, canvas, and other types of golf shoes. Mild detergent or soap is the way to go!
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Apply leather conditioner or cream to your clean leather golf shoes to maintain their appearance, functionality, and durability. Ensure they are dry before applying the leather conditioner for the best results.
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Always use a soft-bristled brush to clean your golf shoes to prevent leaving marks on them and damaging the material.
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If your golf shoes aren't waterproof, use a water-repellent spray to protect them from moisture. You could also use these waterproof techniques if you don't have a waterproofing spray.
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Carefully read the care instructions for your golf shoes to ensure you're within the guidelines when cleaning.
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Put your shoes in a cool, dry place whenever you're not wearing them to ensure they remain in good condition.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to clean golf shoes is necessary to ensure you're always looking clean and stylish on the golf course. We recommend carrying wet wipes in your golf bag that you can take out and wipe your shoes every now and then to prevent dirt build-up.
After all, it will allow you to feel confident and give you an easier time when you have to clean your shoes. When cleaning your golf shoes, start by removing mud, dirt, and debris with a soft-bristled brush, then use a soft cloth and cleaning solution to clean the shoe.
If your shoes are especially muddy, use this guide to clean muddy shoes with ease. Once finished, dry the golf shoes with a clean towel and let them air dry.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Clean Golf Shoes
1. What's the best way to clean golf shoes?
The most reliable way to clean your golf shoes is to follow these steps. Start by removing debris and dirt using a soft-bristled brush, use a soft cloth and cleaning solution to remove dirt from the shoe, dry the shoe with a clean towel, and leave them to air-dry in a well-ventilated place.
Avoid using direct heat to dry your shoes because this can damage them.
2. Can I put golf shoes in the washing machine?
Yes, you can machine-wash your golf shoes if the manufacturer's guidelines say you can. To do this properly, remove the golf shoe laces and the inner sole, remove debris and excess dirt with a soft-bristled brush, place the shoes in a mesh washing bag, and clean them under a gentle cycle.
If you are unsure if you can machine-wash them, we recommend that you don't.
3. Can you clean golf shoes with dish soap?
Yes, as long as you are cleaning mesh golf shoes. These are the only golf shoes you can use dish soap to clean. First, use a soft-bristled brush to remove excess dirt and debris, then use a clean cloth dipped in a solution of water and dish soap to wipe the shoes clean. Once you're sure they're clean, use a clean towel to remove excess water and leave them out to air dry.
