How to maintain the hygiene of rockclimbing shoes?

Asked by: Jodie Reyes

Can rock climbing shoes be washed?

You should never wash your climbing shoes in the washing machine. Laundry detergent can do a lot of damage to the rubber outsole, the leather upper as well as the laces. Even the shape, its heel tension and the custom fit of the shoe can be affected by washing it.

How do you clean the inside of rock climbing shoes?

Washing your climbing shoes, synthetic or leather, can cause the materials to breakdown faster and the glue to delaminate. Rather than washing your shoes we suggest wiping the inside of the shoes with disinfectant wipes or spray and setting them out to air dry.

How do you clean chalk climbing shoes?

I’ve got the answers—and I think you’ll like them. Cleaning chalk out of your climbing shoes is one of the easiest parts of the whole process. Simply take your damp, wet rag and wipe around the insides of your shoes. This will help collect extra dust, powder, and chalk that may be lying in there.

How do you preserve climbing shoes?

Keeping Climbing Shoes Clean and Odor-Free

1. On the approach, keep feet clean by wearing closed shoes rather than sandals.
2. While waiting to climb, don’t walk around barefoot.
3. Bring a tarp to keep shoes and bare feet off of the soil.
4. When you get home, prevent mildew and odor by removing shoes from your pack.

How do I keep my climbing shoes from smelling?

Fighting the Funk: 11 Ways to Treat Smelly Climbing Shoes

1. Spray Those Suckers.
2. Take Them to the Laundromat.
3. Give Your Shoes a Bath. Stank Cover-ups.
4. Grab the Charcoal.
5. Try Dryer Sheets.
6. Power Through with Powder. Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Stank Prevention.
7. Let Them Breathe.
8. Make Shoe Popsicles.

Do you need to clean climbing shoes?

Some, like Evolv, don’t recommend washing climbing shoes at all, and they say it can weaken the glue that maintains the structural integrity of your shoe. Scarpa, on the other hand, suggests it’s perfectly fine to wash your shoes. In fact, they encourage it.

Can you clean climbing shoes with dish soap?

If your shoes are only mildly dirty:
Use a mild detergent (for example dishwashing soap, Dawn is a fantastic one) or castile soap and mix with water in one of the bowls following the instructions on the detergent bottle. Take a microfiber cloth and dampen it in the soapy water. Rub the microfiber cloth on any stains.

Can I spray Lysol on my climbing shoes?

This also really helps extend the life of your shoes by limiting the amount of dirt and rocks that are ground into the interior of the shoes by your feet. Spray the shoes with Lysol disinfectant spray– Any bacteria-killing spray will help with this.

How do you dry climbing shoes after washing them?

3. Dry your rock climbing shoes. Once your shoes are clean, dip them in the water once again to rinse away any residue, then stuff them with paper towel or a cloth and leave them out to air dry away from sunlight or direct heat sources.

How long can you store climbing shoes?

On average – assuming you climb once or twice a week – climbing shoes should last around 3-9 months. At this point the toe box normally has enough wear to need a resole and possibly toe rand work. There are many things that affect this. But if you get them resoled in time – they’re good to go again!

How do you make disinfectant spray for shoes?

Hydrogen Peroxide
It’s typically safe for colours as well. Spray it on the bottom of your shoes and allow it to sit for five minutes before wiping it away. You can also mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts bicarbonate of soda to create a paste to disinfect the uppers of your sneakers.

Is Dettol safe for shoes?

You might be able to get away with using a quick spritz of Dettol on an old pair of trainers, but this simply isn’t an option when attempting to sanitize your designer shoes.

Can I spray vinegar in my shoes?

Spritz of Vinegar
Vinegar neutralizes odors and fights bacteria in shoes. Just mix white vinegar with water in equal parts into a spray bottle. Spray the solution inside the shoes after use and allow it to dry. Doing this to your running shoes after every run will keep them smelling fresher for longer.