How to Wash & Dry Football Cleats

Keeping your football uniform clean is a sign of respect for your team and will help you play better. Cleats on the bottom of the athletic shoe you wear to play football give you the traction you need to run, swerve and lunge through the 100 yards of grass or turf that make up the battlefield of play. These cleats have to be kept clean, so they perform well. You do not have to take your shoes to a pro shop. Do this yourself and save time and money.

Things You'll Need

  • Newspaper
  • Stiff shoe brush
  • Tongue depressor
  • Dish-washing soap
  • Water
  • Toothbrush
  • Disinfectant spray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay some newspaper on the floor and place your shoes on the paper.

    • 2

      Use a stiff brush and remove any superficial debris from the tops and sides of the shoes.

    • 3

      Hold one shoe on your right hand and one shoe on your left hand with the soles facing each other.

    • 4

      Gently bang the soles together to remove any dirt that can be dislodged. Use a tongue depressor to remove as much dirt as you can from the bottoms of the shoes.

    • 5

      Soak four rags in soapy water for about 20 minutes. Lay the rags on top of the cleats for half an hour.

    • 6

      Remove the rags. Brush away any dirt that is loose with the brush. Use a little pressure and rub away any remaining dirt. Use a toothbrush to remove lingering particles of dirt.

    • 7

      Spray the inside of the cleats and your shoes with disinfectant spray. This will lessen the chance of bacteria or fungi growing in your shoes. Let dry overnight.