With all the rain we've had lately my once lovely white shoes are now muddy and not looking so lovely.
Just wondering what everyone else does, do you clean the mud off or wear the mud with pride like a badge of honour? I think even if I do clean mine they'll never look as good as they did and they'll probably only get splattered again so is it even worth it? If I don't clean them do I look lazy?
~Oh the dilemmas!!!!! lol
I slap mine against the step outside my front door when I'm done with a run to get the worst of the mud off. Then I leave them to dry until it's time for the next run, and give them a good slapping again before setting off.
I have been considering getting a brush with stiff bristles to help. But as you say, they'll just get dirty again, so what's the point?
Yes, my trail shoes and OCR shoes get cleaned after races and muddy trail runs - they get submerged in all manner of mud and oomska so they end up caked and full of gritty particulate, despite mud gaiters. If they are not cleaned they become stiff, wear out quicker, are uncomfortable and malodourous.
Usually they get a blast with a pressure washer then a soak in a bucket of cold water, and a good scrub with a stiff brush. The insoles are taken out and go through the washing machine (DO NOT EVER put the shoes themselves in the washing machine!).
I do know a number of runners who just take all their filthy kit and shoes in the shower with them as a preliminary, but strongly advise against this if you are married/share your home with others.
They are then packed with bags of silica gel (you can buy it by the kilo for next to nothing on the Bay of E) and left to dry in a warm place, but not on a radiator.
I always clean my shoes if muddy. Just hold under tap and use old toothbrush to clean. Stuff them with crumpled up newspaper and just leave at back door. usually dry overnight. Easy peasy.
I give mine a slap & a stiff brushing if bad, maybe just a damp cloth over the top & sides if needed...
Miss W will be cleaning her new orange pumps a fair bit no doubt!
I don't have white shoes, mine are grey with some pink but if I come back muddy, I allow them to dry off a little. Then I tap off the clumps of mud. I use a sponge and wipe off the mud from the plastic parts, then I softly sponge the material. I let them dry on the radiator. They always come up really well, hope you get them reasonably clean - photo after and before appreciated (all runners love shoe pictures)! LOL
A large bucket and a stiff brush are utilised (outdoors) on return from a muddy run, while I am still wearing the offending shoes. This is definitely the best way in my opinion. I do not take insoles out any more, since one pair refused to stay in place after being removed. Stuff wet shoes with newspaper to speed up drying.
I depends on how muddy they are! If the mud is just on the outside I let it dry and then scrape/brush them off. However in November/December 2015 I did several trail events/runs where the mud and water was ankle high and filled the inside of the shoes as well. On those occasions my trail shoes were washed in the sink and then stuffed with newspaper and left to dry.
If you're running outside, your shoes come across everything from mud and puddles to leaves and grit. All of this dirt can make your shoes look worn out before they really are.
So once in a while your shoes just need a makeover.
1. Wash the sockliner or insole separately if you’re able to remove them. This will help make the inside of your shoe fresher. Laces can be washed or just replaced.
2. Remove surface dirt such as mud and grit. Use an old toothbrush or nail brush, a little warm water and a gentle, anti-grease soap. This should take care of the dirt, and is fine to do once in a while.
3. Dry your shoes naturally and don’t place them near a radiator. Direct heat will alter the shape of the shoe. Open out the shoe and then stuff the inside with kitchen paper or newspaper. The paper will absorb the dampness inside the shoe. A shoe takes about twelve hours to dry out.
If you're a frequent runner, you may want to use two pairs of shoes for winter running, so you can alternate between them as each pair dries out
I am almost as obsessed at cleaning my shoes as I am at getting them dirty - muddy shoes mean I've had a good run!! I take the insoles out (rinse/clean if muddy), clean with a hose, then stuff with newspaper and leave to dry☺
I always brush the sand off my shoes. I keep a banister brush hooked up outside next to the dog brushes. All my old joggers go in the washing machine. Crazy by easy !
My pretty mint green shoes got completely covered when I stepped in a big puddle right up to my ankles. I asked here and was told to stick 'em in a bowl of water and scrub...I was a it nervous, but they came up fine!
I just thought I'd better balance the books here and state publicly that I never clean my shoes. All that mud and dirt is my badge of honour. I caught my hubby once cleaning them but after a few little words he doesn't try any more!
If they're really wet/dirty I stuff them with newspaper and let them dry under a radiator. The dried mud seems to disappear for the next time!
Moisturiser and cleaning shoes
First Parkrun completed. You can do anything!
New shoes! 🏃♀️👟
Trail Shoes
New shoes! 
