It 's not possible to wash your gym shoes every day nor an advisable to do. Frequent washing of your shoes can cause damage and can weaken the material, not to mention that it's tiring and time-consuming.

Weekly or every other week is a good option when it comes to sanitizing and cleaning your gym shoes. Although it's not just for good hygiene, it also saves you from the embarrassment of the other gym-goers that will give dirty looks because of your foul smelling footwear!

Ways to Keep Your Gym Shoes Clean

1. Start by filling a shoe box with baking soda and flatten it to make a layer at the bottom. Remove the insoles from your shoes and place them inside the box. Cover with another layer of the powder and close the shoe box. Leave it aside for the baking soda to absorb the stink.

You should also remove your shoelaces. Either place them in the same box or soak them in a solution of white vinegar and water (equals parts). This solution can kill the bacteria as well as remove the odor from your laces.

2. Wipe your shoes with a dust cloth to remove any dirt or debris on the surface. Do this before you bring water or dampness into the process. Use an old toothbrush for cleaning the surface of your shoes. It is the best if they have dried up the mud/dirt on them.

3. Make a strong solution of laundry detergent and water in a basin. Keep another one filled with water for rinsing out your cleaning tool at intervals. Take a handheld brush and dip it into the cleaning solution. Now, start cleaning on all sides of the shoe to create lather. Rinse the bristles out as they begin to get dirty for more efficient cleaning.

If the brush is too big for the insides, use an old toothbrush or a slightly abrasive sponge to clean the interiors.

4. Once you finished scrubbing away the stains, leave the shoes to sit for about 15 minutes. This helps the material to absorb some of the fragrance from the detergent. At this stage, you can go back to the insoles and scrub them the same way you did in your shoes.

Keep in mind that the longer you maintain the insoles with baking soda, the more effective it will be in removing the odor.

5. After the sitting time is done, rinse your shoes under the running water. Bang them together to remove excess water and leave them on the shoe rack to dry.

It helps to place your rack in a shaded place where it has enough heat and air but not direct sunlight. Leaving them out in the sun when wet can cause the color to fade so don’t risk it.

6. As mentioned earlier, you can clean the insoles using the same method of cleaning your shoes. For the laces, wrap each on the full-length of your index finger and clean them with a toothbrush and detergent soap. Rinse them out and leave to dry.

7. Once all the components are completely dry, put them back and enjoy your fresh, sanitary gym shoes!