How to Clean the Slide Strip on Bowling Shoes

In addition to the fact that trainers and other types of shoes can scuff and stain a bowling alley floor, they are unsuited for the sport given their propensity to slip. Bowling shoes, in contrast, are designed to work on an alley's shiny laminate flooring. A lot of this is due to the shoe's specially designed slide strip and sole. These components require some degree of maintenance, however. Indeed, owners of bowling shoes need to regularly clean the slide strip so that it offers a constant level of grip and the right amount of slide.

Things You'll Need

  • Warm water
  • Bucket
  • Wash cloth
  • Towel
  • Lint-free cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pour warm water into a bucket or similar receptacle. Make sure that the water and bucket are clean.

    • 2

      Soak the cloth in the bucket and squeeze out any excess water. The bottom of the shoe does not need to be soaked with water in order to be cleaned. In addition, you do not need to use soap or detergents when cleaning the slide strip or the rest of the sole.

    • 3

      Wipe the cloth over the slide strip in one direction to remove any grease and dirt that may have accumulated over time. Never apply to much pressure when doing this; gentle wiping with the cloth will suffice.

    • 4

      Clean other areas of the shoe's sole that are obviously dirty. Use the same gentle wiping technique discussed in Step 3.

    • 5

      Dry the bottom of the shoe using a clean, dry towel.

    • 6

      Buff the sole and slide strip with a lint-free cloth for a few minutes in order to polish the bottom of the shoe. As with the cleaning, it is important not to apply too much pressure when you polish the slide strip and sole. Repeat the cleaning process on the other shoe.