Rundefeated

For as long as I’ve been a runner, one of the most divisive topics in the community isn’t about pace strategy, nutrition gels, or whether you should run in compression socks. It’s about how to properly clean your running shoes. Some people treat their sneakers like delicate artifacts from an ancient civilization, while others throw them into the washing machine like a pile of old gym socks. And honestly, for years, I didn’t know which camp I belonged to.

There are the machine-wash enthusiasts, those fearless souls who boldly toss their beloved shoes into the washer, add detergent, hit the “quick wash” button, and hope for the best. These are the same people who believe you can fix a smartphone by putting it in a bowl of rice. It might work sometimes, but other times you’ll end up with a misshapen, glue-loosened, sad-looking pair of runners that suddenly squeak with every step.

Then, there’s the specialized shoe cleaner crowd, armed with tiny brushes, foamy cleaners, and fancy bottles that look like they were made for cleaning luxury watches. I’ve met runners who treat their running shoes better than their own cars. They use the same kind of gentle, alcohol-free wipes you’d use on a laptop screen or a fragile heirloom. It’s meticulous, it’s expensive, and it sometimes feels like overkill… unless, of course, you own a limited-edition pair of carbon-plated supershoes you’d consider auctioning off before cleaning improperly.

For me, I always went with the pragmatic approach: just a damp cloth, a little bit of mild soap, and a towel. I never fully submerged them in water or scrubbed like I was trying to remove an ancient curse. A quick wipe here, a brush there, and then let them air dry. Simple, efficient, and no risk of my shoe’s midsole turning into a deformed blob that would make even Frankenstein’s monster uncomfortable.

That said, I only ever hand wash my shoes when absolutely necessary — like when I misjudge a trail run after rain and come home with shoes caked in mud thick enough to start a small pottery class. If it’s just dust or light stains, a quick wipe is more than enough. There’s no need to drown your shoes every time they pick up a tiny scuff. Not every dirt mark is a crisis.

It wasn’t until I bought a pair of Mizuno running shoes that I found an actual, honest-to-goodness shoe cleaning instruction label. Right there, printed inside the box, it explicitly said “Do not machine wash. Hand wash only.” It felt like one of those life revelations you get after realizing you’ve been pronouncing a famous brand’s name wrong your entire life. Finally — clarity. And it made sense. Running shoes aren’t just rubber and fabric; they’re an intricate construction of foam, glue, mesh, and technology, and throwing them into a high-speed spin cycle is asking for heartbreak.

So, to anyone out there still arguing about the “right way” — the answer is probably printed inside your shoe box, if you bothered to check. But if it’s not, follow the Mizuno wisdom: avoid the washing machine, skip the fancy overpriced cleaners unless you really feel like playing shoe spa day, and stick to a gentle hand wash when things get truly messy. Your shoes (and your wallet) will thank you.