Wrestling shoes get a lot of wear and tear every season. Cleaning your wrestling shoes the right way isn’t just about how they look; it’s also important for hygiene, comfort, performance, and long-lasting durability. They quickly pick up sweat, dirt, bacteria, and odors from practices, tournaments, and being on the mat all the time. This guide tells you the best way to clean wrestling shoes and gives you useful tips and easy care advice to keep them fresh and ready for competition all season long.

Why Cleaning Your Wrestling Shoes Matters

Before you start cleaning, you need to know why taking care of things properly matters. 

1. Hygiene and Odor Control

Wrestling mats are high-contact surfaces that collect perspiration, skin cells, and germs. Over time, these contaminants get into your shoes, which can cause strong smells and skin problems, especially for athletes who are prone to athlete’s foot or fungal infections. 

Cleaning regularly stops bacteria from building up and makes unpleasant smells less bad. 

2. Better Performance

Wrestling shoes that are clean provide you superior grip. Dirt and dust on the soles can make shoes slippery, making it hard to walk, hold on, and stay stable on the mat. 

A clean sole means that your footwork will be cleaner. 

3. Longer Lifespan

Wrestling shoes cost a lot of money. If you know how to take care of your wrestling shoes, the materials will last longer, the cushioning will hold up better, and you won’t need to buy new ones as often. 

4. Respect for Your Team and Mat

Keeping your stuff clean shows that you are professional, respectful, and disciplined. There is an unspoken rule in every wrestling room: come in with clean shoes and gear. It makes the team environment healthier and more enjoyable.

How to Clean Wrestling Shoes: Step-by-Step Guide

Here is a full, useful program that you can do every week or more often if you work out every day. 

Step 1: Get rid of dirt and dust on the surface. 

To begin, use a dry towel or gentle brush to clean your wrestling shoes. This gets rid of dust, chalk, and filth that builds up while training. 

How to do it:

• A soft- to medium-bristle brush, like an old toothbrush, works excellently. 
• Brush all of the shoe, including the soles, sides, upper mesh, and heel. 
• Don’t forget about the creases in the sole where dirt might hide. 

Doing this step often stops dirt from building up and makes the deeper cleaning process easier. 

Step 2: Make a gentle cleaning solution. 

Wrestling shoes are frequently composed of synthetic leather, mesh, and other flexible materials, which means that harsh chemicals can hurt them. 

This cleaning mix is safe to use: 

• 1 cup of warm water 
• A few teaspoons of mild detergent or soap 
• You can use a little bit of white vinegar to get rid of smells. 

Mix the ingredients until bubbles emerge. 

Step 3: Clean the shoes by hand (not in the washing machine). 

You should never put wrestling shoes in the washing machine. The heat, spinning, and soaking can make things distort, weaken, or peel. 

Do these steps instead:

• Put a soft cloth or sponge in the cleaning solution. 
• Gently scrape the top layers. 
• For tough stains or places that are difficult to reach, use a toothbrush. 
• Don’t soak the shoes all the way through; too much water can harm the materials. 

Pay special attention to the ankle collars and inner lining, which are where perspiration collects the most. 

Step 4: Scrub the soles to make them grip better. 

In wrestling, traction is everything. Dirt stuck on the bottom makes things work less well. 

• To clean the soles, use a powerful brush. 
• Give the grooves a thorough scrub. 
• Rinse the brush and do it again until the sole feels like it has grip again. 

A short wipe with a damp cloth between matches will help the sole obtain traction again if it gets slick during practice. 

Step 5: Take off the laces and clean them separately. 

Laces soak up perspiration and dirt even faster than the shoe does. 

How to clean laces: 

• Take them off the shoe. 
• Put them in the cleaning solution for 10 to 15 minutes. 
• Wash and let dry in the air. 

For cleanliness, you may also change them out every season. 

Step 6: Get rid of the smell inside. 

Most athletes forget this step, yet it makes the largest impact in keeping smells away. 

Good ways to get rid of odors: 

• Baking soda: Sprinkle inside and let sit overnight.
• Shoe deodorizing sprays: Choose athletic or antibacterial formulas.
• Dryer sheets: Place one inside each shoe for a fresh scent.
• Charcoal bags: Absorb moisture and odor naturally. 

Odor control works best when you constantly do it, not just once in a while. 

Step 7: Allow the shoes to air dry naturally without applying heat. 

Wrestling shoes don’t like heat. Don’t ever use a dryer, radiator, or bright sunlight. 

Best drying method:

• The best way to dry it is to let it air dry in a cool, well-ventilated area. 
• Put paper towels inside shoes to soak up water. 
• If you need to, change the paper once or twice. 

Depending on how humid it is, drying can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.

Wrestling Shoe Cleaning Tips for Everyday Maintenance

Wrestling shoes stay clean longer when you maintain them regularly. Here are simple, effective habits you can follow:

Tip 1: Never Wear Wrestling Shoes Outside

This is a cardinal rule in every wrestling room.

Outdoor surfaces carry:

• dirt
  
• oils
  
• bacteria
  
• gum
  
• asphalt debris
  

These transfer onto the mat and into your shoes. Always change into wrestling shoes after entering the gym.

Tip 2: If you can, switch between two pairs.

This stops usage, cuts down on fragrance, and makes cleaning easier if you wrestle every day.

Tip 3: Store your shoes in a shoe bag.

It’s preferable to use mesh bags that let air through. Don’t keep shoes in sealed plastic bags since they trap moisture and let bacteria grow.

Tip 4: Wait until your shoes are completely dry before putting them in a bag.

Even just a tiny amount of humidity can cause mildew or bad smells.

Tip 5: Quickly clean your soles before stepping on the mat.

Wet towels are placed at the door by some teachers to accomplish this.

Tip 6: Use antibacterial wipes between deep cleans.

These wipes are quick and useful, especially after competitions or long days of practice. 

How to Care for Wrestling Shoes (Long-Term)

Taking care of your shoes properly, in addition to cleaning them, will make them last longer and keep them working well. These are habits you should keep for a long time.

1. If you need to, change the insoles.

If your insoles are too sweaty or flat, replace them with athletic insoles that let air flow through them.

2. Don’t leave shoes in very hot or freezing places.

• Heat makes synthetic materials bend.
• They can become rigid and crack when it’s cold.
• Whenever you can, keep shoes at room temperature.

3. Check the soles for wear.

The grip goes down when the soles are smooth, which makes it harder to move quickly. Replacing things early makes ensuring they work well and are safe.

4. Take off your shoes and untie them.

Taking them off without untying them strains the heel and makes the shoe less sturdy.

5. Get new shoes when the ones you have don’t support you anymore.

If your shoes have any of these signs:

• Ankle support that is sinking
• slippery bottoms
• tears in the top
• The odor persists even after a thorough cleaning.

…it’s time to get new ones for safety and cleanliness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash wrestling shoes in the washing machine?

No. It damages the materials and shortens the lifespan.

How often should I clean my wrestling shoes?

Light cleaning: after every practice
Deep cleaning: once a week or once every two weeks

Should I wear socks with wrestling shoes?

Yes—good-quality socks help absorb sweat and reduce odor.

What’s the best way to remove smell quickly?

Baking soda overnight or charcoal odor bags.

Conclusion

Keeping your wrestling shoes clean is simple when you follow the right routine. Now that you know how to clean wrestling shoes, use these wrestling shoe cleaning tips and the long-term advice on how to care for wrestling shoes to protect your gear, enhance your performance, and maintain better hygiene on and off the mat.

Clean shoes don’t just look good—they help you wrestle your best.

You may also want to read at Wrestler Mom

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