Do You Wash Your Running Shoes?

Spring cleaning time, usually means going through my closet, getting rid of clothes, shoes, and organizing my things strategically to jump-start my Spring workout routine.

I've already come across a pair of running shoes that are in great condition, and have hardly been worn — problem is, I wore them hiking last year and they are covered in mud! They are in too good of shape to give away just yet, so what's a girl to do? It's time to clean 'em up.

If you have dirty running shoes like mine that need to be shined up, don't throw them in the washing machine! Washing machines can damage or shrink your shoes, and the grit and grime from your shoes may damage the machine as well. Instead, fill your sink with a few inches of lukewarm water and add in a tiny bit of laundry soap. Take out a old scrub brush and scrub the exterior and the soles of the shoes (changing the water when it becomes cloudy). Don't put your shoes directly under any running water (this will prolong the drying time), but keep rinsing the brush and scrubbing the affected areas. Once your shoes look clean, put them on a towel in the sunshine to dry — first facedown with the shoe tongue open to ensure proper drying, and then flip them over the next day so that the exterior will dry.

Source: Flickr User xcorex