Just like creases add character to sneakers, stains denote battle scars to running shoes. Brooks, like all other running shoes, gets dirty when worn. Since you can’t wait for the rain to clean Brook’s shoes, how do you clean them?
Brooks shoes can be rinsed and cleaned manually with many agents accompanied by lukewarm water. Soap, detergent, toothpaste, and shaving cream are examples of these agents. To remove stubborn stains, you can also use magic erasers and micellar water.
But how do you dry and deodorize your Brooks without causing them any harm? To find out, keep reading until the end.
Can Brooks Shoes Be Washed?
Yes, Brooks can be washed. But when I say washing, I mean hand washing. You should avoid washing them in the washer at all costs due to the potential for damage. And, instead of soaking the shoes in water for hours, just rinse them for a few minutes.
Read more on: Are Brooks Good Running Shoes?
How To Clean Brooks Insoles?
Insoles are more prone to dirt and discoloration due to sweat than the rest of the shoe. So, how should your Brooks insoles be cleaned? Here are two of the most efficient approaches:
Method 1: Mix Vinegar With Water
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which dissolves debris and dirt while killing bacteria to remove odors. To clean your insoles with vinegar, you must do the following:
- Dip the insoles in a 2:1 mixture of vinegar and lukewarm water for a few hours.
- Remove the insoles and brush them in a circular motion with a soft brush to remove any excess dirt and stains.
- Wipe the insole with a clean cloth to dry it.
Method 2: Soap And Water
Make a mild soap/detergent mixture in a container and dip an old toothbrush in it. Gently rub the mixture on your insoles in a circular motion, then rinse with water to remove any excess soap. Repeat the process until you have the desired clean-up. Since soaps and detergents are fragrant, this method leaves the insoles both fresh and clean.
After cleaning, place your insoles in a bag of baking soda overnight to remove any odors. The same methods can be used to clean other Brooks mesh shoe series such as Adrenaline.
Also check out: Do Brooks Run Small, Big Or True To Size?
How To Clean Brooks Ghost Shoes?
Because Brooks Ghost shoes have mesh uppers, I recommend cleaning them in the same manner as Nike Air Force 1s. Here’s a quick recap:
- Remove the insoles and laces and use a soft-bristled brush to remove any excess dirt.
- Brush the Brooks Ghost with a nail brush after applying liquid soap all over it.
- Brush the soap so that the foam creates suds all over the place.
- Apply a stain-removing spray to the stained areas and scrub for a few minutes.
- Wipe away any excess mixture with a dry cloth and repeat the process until the desired cleanliness is achieved.
Instead of soap, you can clean the areas with a cotton dab dipped in micellar water or shaving cream.
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How To Clean White Brooks Shoes?
Please refrain from cleaning your white Brooks with bleach. I understand that white running shoes get filthy at the end of the day, but bleaching them would be the end of their life! So, how do you clean White Brooks Shoes without damaging them? Let’s cut to the chase:
Step 1: Toothpaste
Toothpaste whitens everything it comes into contact with and is ideal for keeping your Brooks the same.
Just wash the shoes with soap/detergent, like how I’ve demonstrated for Brooks Ghost, and wipe them. Next, place some slightly-diluted colorless/no-gel toothpaste on an old toothbrush, and scrub the dirt off your White Brooks. Finally, wipe and dry in the same manner as previously described.
Step 2: Magic Eraser
There will be some stubborn marks left on your White Brooks after cleaning it with toothpaste. As a result, you can get rid of them with a magic eraser. Simply wet the eraser and wipe away the stains on your Brooks like a duster on a blackboard.
How To Remove Odor Out of Brooks?
Running shoes are all fun and games until they start to stink. Since bacteria are formed in water, the moisture on your feet and sweat make them stink. The same is with Brooks. Brooks stinks after use, despite the high-quality mesh, waterproof, and sweat-wicking technologies.
So, how do you get rid of the Brooks odor? Here’s how it’s done:
- Clean and dry your Brooks using the methods I previously mentioned. The cleaner and water-free your Brooks are, the more pleasant they will smell.
- Freeze your Brooks in a plastic bag to kill the bacteria and keep them as fresh as any other frozen meat.
- Since foul smell is caused by bacteria breaking down sweat acids, you can neutralize those acids with an alkali such as baking soda. Simply sprinkle baking soda into each shoe and leave them overnight.
- Place some silica gel bags in your Brooks. Silica is a desiccant, which means it can absorb all moisture from its surroundings.
- You can also drizzle fragrant talcum powder inside your Brooks to make them smell fresh overnight.
- There are numerous odor sprays on the market, so choose one that matches the material of your Brooks.
- After cleaning and drying Brooks, I suggest you waterproof them with a waterproof spray to keep water out as much as possible.
How To Dry Brook Shoes
You must avoid drying your Brooks in the dryer or with a blow dryer at all costs, just as you should not wash them in the washer. So, after cleaning your Brooks, here’s how you should dry them:
Method 1: Leave Them Outside
The best way to dry your Brooks is to leave them outside to dry in the open air. By leaving them outside, I don’t mean exposing them to the sun, which could shrink your Brooks. Instead, simply take your Brooks outside and hang them for at least 24 hours. You can hang them using a shoe tree or a clothing line with support in an upside-down position. You can also place your shoes at a 45-degree angle against the wall. You should also dry your soles and laces separately.
Method 2: Use Newspapers
This method works every time and speeds up the drying process. Wipe your Brooks with a dry cloth after cleaning and untying the laces and insoles. Then, as previously stated, let your Brooks dry in the air. Also, keep an eye out for soaked newspapers and replace them regularly. You’ll be able to dry your Brooks in about 12 hours using this method.
If you don’t have newspapers or are hesitant to change them between drying cycles, you can substitute rolled-up towels.
Also read on: On Cloud Vs Brooks
Method 3: Hang Them Near A Fan
It’s okay if you don’t have a breezy, ventilated area near you to air-dry your Brooks at home; you can use your fan. Here’s how:
- As previously discussed, prepare your Brooks for drying.
- Take a wire and shape it into an ‘S.’ You can also use a hook or bend a wired hanger instead.
- Connect one end of the hook to the shoe and the other to the fan. And then do the same with the other shoe.
- Turn on the fan and leave your shoes to dry for a few hours. You can also use this method to dry your insoles, but not your laces.
I recommend hanging the laces outside on a clothing line. If you have a shoe tree, you can use it instead of the hook or wire trick. Simply hang your brooks from a shoe tree near a fan.
Method 4: Use A Shoe Dryer
Though heat is a big no for drying Brooks, using a shoe dryer when you are out of options isn’t that bad. Shoe dryers use a low heat setting for drying shoes that don’t damage the shoes (if used correctly). So, get yourself a shoe dryer and dry the Brooks according to the label’s instructions.
Wrap Up
Cleaning Brooks is as simple as running in them and getting them dirty. You can clean them with soap, detergent, toothpaste, and other common household items.
Except for shoe dryers with low-heat settings, you must not use any form of heat to dry or wash your Brooks.
I recommend cleaning your Brooks every two weeks if you are an avid runner. But if you aren’t running in them, ensure that you place a bag of silica to keep them fresh as long as you’re ready to own them again.
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