Mountain Project Logo

I wanna wash my shoes!

Original Post
Martina · · Santa Monica, CA · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 0

Can I? I figured I throw running shoes into the washer and people climb in the rain. But then again, the glue part is what concerns me more than clean shoes...

Chase Gee · · Wyoming/ Logan Utah · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 105

I Just use a wet rag but I never let them get super dirty either so I don't know. I assume you can wash them. Drying them is probably a different story.

Phoenix · · louisville, colorado · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 310

Get in touch with LaSportiva or some other shoe company and ask them.

Robert 560 · · The Land of the Lost · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 570

I hand wash them and then wear them until they dry. I've never had any problems doing it this way.

Marc Squiddo · · Mountain View, CA · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 15

I've always washed my shoes with zero problems. Add some liquid detergent into some warm water with a tiny bit of bleach. Wash, scrub, and rinse. Pull the tongue and stuff the shoes with newspaper. Good to go.

Kai Huang · · Aurora, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 105

i use dish detergent wash/scrub with a brush on the inside of the shoes. then toss them into washer and wash/rinse with cold water without detergent. spin dry and hang dry. never had problems with glue and the rubber actually feel stickier after wash.

Paul Hunnicutt · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 325

Don't throw your climbing shoes in the washing machine! I got a nice gash in mine and had to resole them. Hand wash with a toothbrush and soap, then leave in the sun to dry.

Josh Brown · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 20

i washed two pairs of my sportiva's in the washer after tromping in poison sumac. the rubber did separate on one of the shoes along the inside edge and they tightened up quite a bit. both pairs are still usable and it is not a big deal regarding the small separation. Unless you absolutely have to (some sort of poison plant juice) i'd just use a cloth and deal with stinky feet.

Marc Squiddo · · Mountain View, CA · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 15

ditto that on never using the washing machine. hand wash only.

Avery N · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 650

Some time back, someone posted here that they washed them regularly (like weekly) in the washer with no problems. ??? If you search, you'll find the post.

Josh Brown wrote:i'd just use a cloth and deal with stinky feet.
There's a product called Mirazime, made for de-stinking outdoor gear. I've used it on climbing shoes (with a soak and fingernail brush scrub) and it works very well. Safe and environmentally friendly, too.
T.Ward · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 20

I put my shoes in a pillowcase, knot it shut, and throw it in the washing machine.

I haven't had any issues over the several times I've washed them. However, it might be worth noting that I've only washed synthetic shoes (Evolv).

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Climbing Gear Discussion
Post a Reply to "I wanna wash my shoes!"

Log In to Reply
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.