How to Clean Soccer Cleats That Stink: Mud, Odour and Drying Without Wrecking the Boot
Boots smell because they never dry. Sweat soaks the lining, the boot goes into a bag in the dark, and bacteria do the rest. Mud is a separate problem, and the washing machine is the worst answer to both: it loosens the glue that holds the sole plate and warps the upper. Here is the routine that keeps boots clean and dry in ten minutes, the fix for boots that already stink, and what to do with leather versus synthetic.
After every session (five minutes)
- Knock the soles together outside to drop the mud and turf infill.
- Brush dry mud off the upper and from between the studs with a stiff brush or an old toothbrush.
- Wipe the upper with a damp cloth. For leather, a little leather cleaner or saddle soap once a week.
- Pull out the insoles and the laces loose. Stuff the boots with newspaper and leave them in a ventilated spot, not near heat.
- Swap the newspaper after an hour if the boots were soaked.
The deep clean for boots that already smell
- Remove the insoles. Wash them by hand in warm water with sports detergent, rinse, dry flat.
- Mix a bowl of warm water with a tablespoon of sports detergent or a cup of white vinegar. Clean the inside of the boot with a cloth dipped in it; do not submerge the boot.
- Rinse the cloth and wipe the inside with clean water.
- Dry with newspaper, 24 hours, changing the paper twice.
- Once dry, sprinkle baking soda inside overnight or drop in a charcoal pouch; tap out in the morning.
If the smell survives that, the insole is the culprit; replace it with a thin sports insole and the problem usually goes with it.
Leather, synthetic and knit
- Leather: cleaner, then a light coat of leather conditioner every few weeks. Never leave leather wet; it cracks as it dries.
- Synthetic: damp cloth and mild soap. Conditioner does nothing.
- Knit: soft brush, mild soap, rinse the area gently with a cloth. Dry slowly; knit shrinks under heat.
What ruins boots
Washing machines, dryers, radiators, hair dryers, direct sun on a windowsill, and leaving them in the car in summer. All of them attack the glue that holds the sole on. A boot that has come unglued cannot be reliably repaired.
Our picks
Links open current Amazon results in each category.
Boot cleaning brush set
Stiff brush for studs, soft brush for uppers, in one pack.
Boot dryer without heat
Gentle airflow overnight; saves glue and lining.
Charcoal deodoriser pouches
Drop in each boot between sessions.
Thin sports insoles
Replace the insole and the smell usually goes with it.
Leather cleaner and conditioner
Keeps leather uppers supple and crack-free.
Ventilated boot bag
Mud stays out of the car; boots can breathe.
Prevention that costs nothing
Two pairs of socks a week fewer worn twice, boots out of the bag the moment you get home, insoles out, newspaper in. Players who do this never have the problem; players who do not have it by October.
Can I put soccer cleats in the washing machine on cold?
No. Cold water does not save the glue from the agitation.
How do I dry boots fast for tomorrow?
Newspaper changed every hour for three hours, then a fan overnight. A boot dryer without heat is the gadget worth owning if this happens weekly.
Boots at the end of their life? Our kids cleats guide and boot guides cover the replacement.
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