How to Clean Cycling Shoes the Right Way

Cycling shoes take a beating from dirt, mud, road grime, sweat, dust, and everyday wear. The good news is that most SHIMANO cycling shoes can be cleaned with a few basic household supplies and a little care.

The key is to use mild cleaners, avoid excessive heat and harsh solvents, and let the shoes dry gradually so you don't damage the upper, sole, adhesives, or fit.

What Do You Need to Clean Cycling Shoes?

You don't need specialized cleaning products for routine shoe care.

Start with:

• A bucket or basin.
• Lukewarm water.
• Mild dish soap or laundry detergent.
• A soft or medium-bristle brush.
• A clean cloth or sponge.
• Paper or newspaper for drying.
• Baking soda for occasional odor treatment.

How Do You Clean the Outside of Cycling Shoes?

Begin by removing as much loose dirt as possible before introducing soap and water.

If the shoes are muddy, allow heavy mud to loosen or dry enough that large clumps can be removed with a brush, hose, or damp cloth.

Then mix a small amount of mild detergent with lukewarm water.

1. Wipe or rinse away loose dirt.
2. Apply mild soapy water with a cloth, sponge, or brush.
3. Gently scrub the upper and more firmly clean the outsole where needed.
4. Work the brush around tread blocks, lugs, and other textured areas.
5. Rinse away remaining soap and loosened dirt.

For routine cleaning, there's usually no need to aggressively scrub the upper or leave the entire shoe soaking for an extended period. Start with the gentlest method that removes the contamination.

How Do You Clean Muddy Mountain Bike and Gravel Shoes?

Off-road cycling shoes often collect dirt between outsole lugs, around the cleat, and along textured upper materials.

Remove large clumps first, then use a medium-bristle brush with mild soapy water to work into the outsole tread and recessed cleat area.

Cleaning can remove dirt and surface contamination, but it cannot reverse normal wear such as scratched carbon soles, worn tread, damaged lugs, or other physical abrasion.

How Should You Clean White Cycling Shoes?

White cycling shoes tend to show road grime, rubber marks, and dirt more quickly than darker footwear.

Start with mild soap and water before using anything more aggressive.

For stubborn marks, spot cleaning is preferable to applying strong cleaners across the entire shoe.

Some white SHIMANO shoes with white interior materials may tolerate more targeted stain treatment, but avoid applying bleach or other aggressive cleaners unless the care instructions for the specific shoe confirm they are appropriate.

Always test any stronger cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area first.

How Do You Remove Black Tire Marks From Cycling Shoes?

Road and gravel shoes can sometimes pick up black rubber marks if the shoe contacts the tire.

Start with mild soap and a cloth. If the mark remains, a damp melamine sponge may help with spot cleaning.

Use melamine sponges sparingly. They work through mild abrasion, so aggressive scrubbing can dull or wear the shoe's surface finish.

Concentrate only on the affected area and stop as soon as the mark is removed.

How Do You Get Odor Out of Cycling Shoes?

Cycling shoes can hold moisture after hot or long rides, creating an environment where odor develops over time.

The best first step is to let shoes dry thoroughly after every ride rather than leaving them damp inside a bag.

For additional odor control:

• Remove the insoles if the shoe design allows.
• Clean the interior gently with mild soapy water.
• Rinse away cleaner thoroughly.
• Allow the shoe and insole to dry completely before reassembly.
• Use a small amount of baking soda treatment occasionally if additional deodorizing is needed.

Can You Put Cycling Shoes in a Washing Machine?

Hand cleaning is the safer approach for cycling shoes.

Cycling footwear contains multiple materials, closures, structural components, and bonded areas that can be exposed to unnecessary stress during a washing-machine cycle.

Cleaning by hand also lets you control the amount of water, detergent, and scrubbing used on different parts of the shoe.

Can You Put Cycling Shoes in the Dryer?

Avoid high-heat dryers.

Excessive heat can affect synthetic materials, adhesives, and the overall shape of cycling footwear.

The same caution applies to placing wet shoes directly against heaters, radiators, wood stoves, or other intense heat sources.

What Is the Best Way to Dry Cycling Shoes?

Air-drying at room temperature with good ventilation is the safest general approach.

After cleaning:

1. Shake out excess water.
2. Remove insoles if appropriate.
3. Loosen closures and open the shoe to encourage airflow.
4. Stuff the interior loosely with newspaper or absorbent paper.
5. Replace the paper if it becomes saturated.
6. Leave the shoes in a well-ventilated area until completely dry.

Avoid packing paper so tightly that it changes the shoe's shape.

Also avoid prolonged direct sunlight. A bright, ventilated area is fine, but strong heat and extended UV exposure are unnecessary.

How Do You Clean BOA® Dials on Cycling Shoes?

BOA® Fit System components require relatively little routine maintenance, but dirt and grit can collect around the dial, lace, and guides after dusty or muddy rides.

If the system begins to feel gritty:

1. Release the BOA® system according to the dial's operating instructions.
2. Loosen the lace enough to expose areas where dirt has collected.
3. Wipe away visible dust and debris with a damp cloth.
4. Use mild soapy water around the exterior of the dial and guides if needed.
5. Rinse gently and allow the system to dry completely.

Avoid forcing the dial or disassembling the mechanism unless the instructions for that specific BOA® system call for it.

Learn more about the BOA® Fit System.

How Often Should You Clean Cycling Shoes?

There is no fixed cleaning schedule.

Road riders may only need an occasional wipe-down, while mountain bike and gravel shoes may need cleaning after particularly muddy or wet rides.

A good routine is to remove heavy contamination soon after the ride and allow wet shoes to dry completely before storing them.

Frequent light cleaning is generally easier on the footwear than waiting until dirt and grime become heavily embedded.

Cycling Shoe Cleaning Do's and Don'ts

Keep Your Cycling Shoes Ready for the Next Ride

Cleaning cycling shoes doesn't need to be complicated.

Remove dirt before it becomes embedded, use mild cleaning products, treat stubborn marks carefully, and let the shoes dry naturally away from excessive heat.

A little routine maintenance can keep your cycling shoes looking better, operating smoothly, and ready for the next ride.