How To Clean Golf Shoes

Hello golfers! Cleaning your golf shoes after every game is a simple way to extend the life of your shoes, get the most out of your investment and always look sharp on the golf course. This guide will show you how to clean your golf shoes, no matter what kind of shoe you own.

How Not To Clean Your Golf Shoes

To start, it is important to know what not to do when cleaning your shoes. We also recommend that you read the care label in your shoes to find out if they are machine washable and to check for any special cleaning instructions.

Unless your care label states that you can machine wash your shoes it is never recommended to clean them in a washing machine or dishwasher. These will get your shoes clean, but they can also reduce the life of your shoes and cause damage.

It is also a bad idea to clean leather or synthetic shoes with liquid dish soaps because they can leave excess residue on the shoe, which can cause drying and cracking of the material. It is also important to not leave your golf shoes in the heat to avoid damaging the material, so never leave your shoes in your car or outside when the weather is hot.

How To Clean Leather Golf Shoes

Leather is the most common type of material used to make golf shoes due to its resistance to stretching and waterproof quality. If your golf shoe is made of leather (or made mostly of leather), the following steps should be taken to clean your shoes.

• After every game use an old toothbrush to gently remove dirt and stains from the entire shoe (including the sole and spikes)
• Wipe down the shoe with a gentle mixture of soap and water (caution: don’t use liquid dish soap, don’t use a lot of soap and don’t get the shoes too wet)
• Let the shoes air dry at room temperature for several hours
• Examine the shoes after each round for damage like tears, gouges and worn down soles, heels or toes. If you find damage on your shoes you should bring them to a shoe repair shop as soon as possible.
• Occasionally you should use leather cream to clean and maintain the leather on the shoes. We recommend Skidmore’s Original Leather Cream for fantastic results every time.

If you clean your leather shoes after every round of play and occasionally treat them with leather cream they should last you for several years.

How To Clean Synthetic Golf Shoes

Synthetic golf shoes are typically made of polyester and tend to be lighter and thinner than leather. However, cleaning these shoes can often be less work as they don’t need leather cream and can usually be machine washed.

If you own synthetic golf shoes, you should first read the care label on your shoe tongue and follow any instructions listed on the label. Typically, you will gently scrub any dirt and stains off your shoes using a gentle mixture of soap and water and wipe them down with a clean towel until the shoe is clean and allow them to air dry in a room temperature environment.

You can also purchase a shoe cleaning kit, like the Ultimate Shoe Care Kit by Combat Cleaner that comes with a bottle of shoe cleaner, a shoe deodorizer spray and a water and oil resistant shoe shield spray. If you get a shoe cleaning kit like this, begin by spraying the soles of the shoes with the shoe cleaner spray, then gently scrub the soles with a mixture of water and wipe with a clean towel until the soles are completely clean. Next, spray the top and sides of the shoes with the shoe cleaning spray and gently scrub until all dirt and stains are removed, then wipe with a towel until all spray is removed. After this, spray the inside of the shoes a few times to remove any odors. Finally, spray the outside of the shoes with the shoe shield spray and allow the shoes to dry for several hours in a room temperature environment. This is a great way to keep your shoes clean without risking damage from a washing machine. These kinds of shoe cleaning kits can also be used on mesh and canvas golf shoes.

How To Clean Suede Golf Shoes

Suede is leather that is made from the underside of animal skin (usually lamb, calf, goat or deer) instead of the outside like normal leather. The skin is rubbed by a machine during processing which creates a smooth and velvety feel to the material. There are also many types of golf shoes made of suedette, or imitation suede, which is typically made from polyester or rayon. Regardless of whether you own authentic or imitation suede, the care for both types of shoes is the same.

With suede golf shoes, you can submerge and soak them in a solution of water and suede cleaner and very gently brush them with a special suede brush. We recommend using KIWI Suede & Nubuck Cleaner and the Shacke Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner to clean your suede golf shoes as they are very effective and delicate on suede. Wipe them with a clean towel until all dirt and stains are removed. Allow the shoes to dry in a room temperature environment for several hours.

How To Clean Mesh Golf Shoes

Mesh shoes are easy to recognize due to the many small holes in their surface that allows maximum breathability for golfers on a hot day. Cleaning mesh shoes is similar to how you clean synthetic shoes, but with some key differences.

With mesh golf shoes, it’s best to soak them in warm water with plain dish soap before using a soft bristled brush to remove dirt and stains. You should use a soft cloth to wipe them clean and to ensure no soap residue is left behind. Afterwards, let them air dry in a room temperature environment for several hours away from direct sunlight and heat.

You can also wash mesh shoes in your washing machine if the care label inside the shoe allows it. Before washing your mesh shoes in the washing machine remove the shoe laces and inner soles if they are removable. Place the shoes into a washing bag beforehand to prevent damage and loud banging as they spin around in the wash. We recommend placing your shoes in Kimmama Shoe Wash Bags while they wash. Turn the washing machine on its gentle or delicate cycle and use cold water when washing. Afterwards, remove the shoes from the shoe bag and allow them to dry in a room temperature environment for several hours.

How To Clean Canvas Golf Shoes

In recent years several brands of canvas golf shoes have sprung up, bringing the comfort of a boat shoe onto the golf course. To clean your canvas golf shoes, follow these steps.

• We recommend hand washing your canvas shoes, as this is the gentlest way to clean them. Fill up a sink or bucket with warm water and put in a spoonful of non-biological laundry detergent (we recommend Tide Simply Clean & Fresh Laundry Detergent).
• Remove the shoe laces from the shoes and set them aside.
• Use a toothbrush or soft bristled brush and gently scrub the shoes until all dirt and stains are gone.
• Carefully dip the surface of the shoes in the water for a couple of seconds or rinse them with a small amount of water from the sink.
• Use a towel to dry the shoes and squeeze all the water out of the canvas.
• Stuff the inside of the shoes with paper towels or newspaper and leave the shoes in a dry environment at room temperature for several hours until dry.
• Clean the laces by gently scrubbing them with your brush until all dirt and stains are gone.
• Gently wring your laces out into a towel and hang them up in a dry environment at room temperature for several hours until they are dry.
• Caution: avoid using a hair dryer or any other kind of heat source to dry your shoes as these could damage your shoes.

How To Clean White Golf Shoes

If you have white golf shoes you know how difficult it can be to keep them looking new. It isn’t enough to just clean white golf shoes, you need to have a special tool with you every time you play. We recommend using LaRossa Golf White Shoe Whitener to keep your white golf shoes looking as white as possible. Simply twist off the cap and use the built-in sponge applicator and apply a small amount to any discolored spot on your shoes and you’ll instantly notice the difference. You should keep your shoe whitener with you every time you play and apply it to your shoes after you clean them and they finish drying.

How To Clean SQAIRZ Golf Shoes

SQAIRZ Golf Shoes are made of a premium synthetic leather and should be cleaned differently than normal synthetic golf shoes. SQAIRZ recommends the following 2 options for cleaning our golf shoes:

Cleaning Option 1

• Spray the shoes with Shout Stain Remover.
• Clean off the dirt with a damp towel (make sure the towel is clean before getting it wet).
• Wipe down the shoe with a dry towel (make sure the towel is clean before use).

Cleaning Option 2

• Wipe down the shoes with any kind of mild wipe like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes or Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Baby Wipes.
• Clean off any liquids left by the wipes.
• Use a dry towel to wipe down the shoes (make sure the towel is clean).

SQAIRZ does not recommend using liquid soaps on our shoes, which can cause drying and cracking of the material. Also, please be aware: SQAIRZ golf shoes are waterproof, but you should avoid saturating your shoes and keep a towel handy on the course to wipe them dry should they get excessively wet.

SQAIRZ also sells the world’s best golf socks, specifically designed for playing golf. Check out our socks and other accessories by clicking here.

Products For Cleaning Golf Shoes

There are many good products to choose from online for cleaning your golf shoes, but SQAIRZ recommends the following products.

These products are all you need for a perfect cleaning kit for your golf shoes. Simply have these products in your golf bag and follow the instructions outlined here and you’ll be looking great every time you’re on the course.

Videos About Cleaning Golf Shoes

There are many videos online to assist anyone looking for help with cleaning their golf shoes. Here are a couple great videos that show the process step by step.