Outdoor shoes need a specific hand-wash routine: remove dirt and laces, wash with warm water and mild detergent, rinse well, stuff with newspaper, and air-dry away from heat to protect materials and extend their life.
After a long hike through mud, dust, or bog, your outdoor shoes look like they’ve been through a war. But the right cleaning routine does more than restore appearances — it prevents leather from cracking, stops the glue from failing, and keeps the traction lugs biting into the trail. The steps are the same whether you own hiking boots, trail-running shoes, or trekking footwear, and none of them involve a washing machine or a dryer.
What You Need to Clean Outdoor Shoes
Before starting, gather the right tools. A soft-bristled nylon brush, an old toothbrush, a soft cloth or sponge, and a bucket of lukewarm water are the basics. For detergent, use a mild dish soap — brands like The North Face, Columbia, and On explicitly confirm dish soap works — though INOV8 recommends cold water only to protect the glue. A dull tool like a screwdriver or butter knife helps lever off caked mud without cutting the rubber. For deep-cleaning the outsoles, a paste of baking soda and water scrubbed with a toothbrush lifts stubborn grime. Keep newspaper or paper towels on hand for drying, and grab a waterproofing spray if your shoes have a leather or fabric upper.
| Cleaning Step | Tool or Agent | Key Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Remove dry mud | Soft brush or dull tool | Never use sharp tools — they cut rubber |
| Remove laces and insoles | Hands | Wash insoles separately in warm soapy water |
| Wash exterior | Soft cloth or sponge + mild detergent | Use warm water (or cold for INOV8) |
| Scrub outsoles | Old toothbrush + baking soda paste | Focus on lugs for traction recovery |
| Rinse | Running water or tap spray | Rinse thoroughly until no soap remains |
| Dry | Newspaper or cloths | Stuff inside to absorb moisture and hold shape |
| Re-waterproof | Waterproofing spray | Apply while leather is still damp |
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Outdoor Shoes the Right Way
The process divides into four phases — prep, wash, rinse, and dry — and skipping one usually means trouble later. These instructions combine methods from Oboz, SCARPA, Salomon, and REI’s guides.
1. Prep: Remove Loose Dirt and Disassemble
If the mud is wet, let it dry slightly so it flakes off. Bang the soles together — hold the shoe by the heel and tap the toe end — or use a soft brush to sweep off loose dirt. If mud has caked hard, lever it off with a dull tool like a key or screwdriver. Pull out the laces completely and remove the insoles. Wash the insoles by hand in warm, soapy water and set them in a well-ventilated area to dry. You’ll reassemble everything only after the shoes are fully dry.
2. Wash: Hand-Clean the Exterior
Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and a small squirt of mild dish soap. Dip a soft brush or cloth and gently clean the entire upper surface. For the rubber sole, apply the baking soda paste with an old toothbrush and scrub the lugs to restore traction. The interior needs attention too — brush the inside by hand without stretching or tearing the lining. SCARPA warns to be careful around membranes and seams when cleaning the inner fabric.
3. Rinse and Dry
Rinse the shoes thoroughly under a gentle stream of water or a tap spray until no soap bubbles remain. Saturation at this stage is fine — the drying step handles it. Stuff the shoes tightly with crumpled newspaper, paper towels, or clean cloth rags. The stuffing absorbs moisture from inside and holds the shape as they dry. Change the newspaper after a few hours if it feels wet. Let the shoes dry completely at room temperature in a well-ventilated spot.
The one thing that ruins most outdoor shoes — heat. Every major manufacturer warns against radiators, blow dryers, fireplaces, or leaving shoes in direct hot sun. Heat warps the shape, dries out leather, melts the glue that holds the sole on, and damages waterproof membranes. If you have leather boots, apply waterproofing spray while the leather is still damp (per Oboz and SCARPA). This seals the pores as the leather dries and extends the life of the upper.
What NOT to Do When Cleaning Outdoor Shoes
A few hard rules across every brand’s guide. Avoid the washing machine and dryer entirely — the agitation and heat cause permanent damage. Skip hot water for any shoe where glue is a concern (INOV8 explicitly recommends cold water). Don’t use sharp tools to chip off mud; they cut the rubber and ruin the sole’s grip. And never put the insoles or laces back in until the shoes are bone-dry — moisture trapped between layers breeds bacteria and odor.
If a bad smell persists after drying, Salomon recommends a disinfectant or anti-odor spray. The smell comes from bacteria that live in sweat-soaked fabric, and a thorough dry plus a targeted spray clears it.
How Often Should You Clean Outdoor Shoes?
Clean them when the tread is packed with mud or the uppers are visibly dirty. For regular trail runs or weekend hikes, one thorough clean every month or two is enough. After a particularly muddy or wet outing, a quick rinse and newspaper stuff keeps the shoes from developing mildew. Over-cleaning with detergent wears down waterproof treatments faster, so let the shoes tell you when they need it.
When your current pair is worn past saving, check out our tested roundup of the best landscaping shoes for yard work to find a durable replacement that handles mud and moisture from day one.
| Mistake | Why It Harms Your Shoes | Better Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Machine washing | Tumbles damage shape and materials | Hand wash with a brush |
| Dryer or radiator heat | Melts glue and warps the upper | Air-dry at room temp with newspaper stuffing |
| Hot water (INOV8) | Degrades the sole glue | Use cold or lukewarm water |
| Sharp tools | Cut rubber and compromise grip | Dull tool or soft brush |
| Reassembling while damp | Traps moisture and causes odor | Wait until shoes are completely dry |
Checklist: Outdoor Shoe Cleaning Sequence
Bang or brush off dry mud. Remove laces and insoles. Wash insoles in warm soapy water. Hand-clean the exterior with warm water and mild detergent. Scrub the sole’s lugs with a toothbrush and baking soda paste. Rinse thoroughly. Stuff the shoes with newspaper or cloths. Air-dry at room temperature away from heat. Apply waterproofing spray while the leather is still damp. Reassemble only after the shoes are 100% dry inside and out.
FAQs
Can you put outdoor shoes in the washing machine?
No. Every major outdoor brand — Oboz, INOV8, Salomon, and REI — warns against machine washing. The tumbling motion damages the shoe’s structure, loosens glued components, and can delaminate the sole. Hand-washing with a brush is the only safe method.
Do you need special soap for hiking boots?
No. A mild dish soap mixed with warm water works fine, as confirmed by The North Face, Columbia, and On. Avoid harsh detergents, bleach, or solvents. For the outsoles, a baking soda paste handles stubborn dirt without damaging the rubber.
How do you get the smell out of hiking boots?
Bad smells come from sweat and bacteria breeding inside damp fabric. The most effective fix is a thorough dry — stuff the boots with newspaper and leave them in a ventilated room for 24 hours. If the odor persists, use a disinfectant or anti-odor spray made for footwear.
Is it okay to dry hiking boots in the sun?
No. Direct hot sun can dry out leather, warp synthetic materials, and degrade sole glue. The safe method is to dry boots at room temperature in a well-ventilated area away from sunlight and heat sources like radiators or fireplaces.
References & Sources
- Oboz Footwear. “3 Steps to Clean Hiking Shoes.” Describes the clean-waterproof-dry sequence and warns against machine washing.
- The North Face UK. “How to Clean Hiking Boots.” Details mud removal with dull tools, lukewarm water soaking, and natural drying.
- SCARPA. “The Best Way to Maintain Your Trekking Shoes.” Interior cleaning precautions, waterproofing, and heat-free drying instructions.
- Salomon. “How to Clean and Care for Your Hiking Shoes.” Disassembly steps, sunlight warnings, and odor management advice.