What is the best way to clean cycling shoes?

[stella-azzurra]

I would like to clean my cycling shoes but do not know what is the best way. Since my shoes rarely see any rain I do not have to clean them that often maybe once a year if that. I was wondering what was the best way to clean them anyway.
Should I use just soap and water and a hose?
Let them soak a bit in laundry detergent?
What's the best method?

These are road cycling shoes and winter road cycling shoes made by:
Sidi genius,
Nike Poggio,
Northwave fahrenheit,
adidas adistar

Please let me know.
Thanks

[PoorCyclist]

water and a brush...
they are meant to get wet so I think this is ok..
I don't use detergent because I don't know if this will damage any glue or what not.

[shadwell]

Hey mate, i run heaps of Sidi's; Ergo, and the MTB ones... Lorica white, shiney white and shiney black.....
I have also had the Adistars...

I have found the normal stain remover (Napisan, Omo, etc) to work really well...
I make up a sink full of quite strong solution imerse the shoes without liners fully openned for a while 30mis say..

Then I work the fabric section with an old toothbrush...

Once done i rinse in clear water, then soak them in clean water then rinse again.. (getting the soution out takes a coupla goes).

Then i towel dry them as best as possible, then place them infront of a fan (turbo trainer fan on a chair)....

NOT heated fan here...

Leave then over night and usually they are dry the next day....

All my shoes have been fine with this with no discoloration or damage to fabric or structure..

The Bont's i ran for a while fell to pieces long before thy needed cleaning so no idea with those...

The Shiney Sidi's look rude after doing this so get the over shoes ready !!

[lalahsghost]

I was about to ask the same thing.

I keep mine on my front porch until a stray cat pissed on them a few weeks ago.

They're a pair of Bontrager RXL's.

I'm afraid to throw them in the washer, but what other options do I have

[veganeric]

Washing them in a washing machine with some towels works great. Just make sure you use cold water and the slow/gentle setting. Obviously you don't want to machine dry them.

[euan]

I do the same, cold wash on a slow cycle. I put each shoe in a pillow case with a towel and then tie the pillow case shut. Protects the shoe and they come out sparkly clean.

Remove cleats of course.

[lone wheeler]

Another vote for the washing machine along with some towels for padding, I don't bother removing cleats but i don't wash them often as luckily we don't see rain much here.

[Rick]

My method: about twice per year:
Brush with warm, mildly-soapy water.
Try to get inside & out as much as possible
Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Shake off excess water
Set in the sun or in front of a fan.

[djm]

One in a while after a really wet and dirty ride I'll spray my Sidi Ergo2s with lots of stain remover while they are still wet, let them sit for an hour or two, and then brush or massage them under running hot water. This usually removes most of the gunk and makes the white all white again. The clasps etc. can be easily cleaned with the brush, as goes for the fabric.

After cleaning I put my shoe drier in them (heat) and let them dry out.

[Porschenut]

I take them into the shower with me and scrub them down with a (shoe dedicated) dish brush after separating the insoles from the shoes. I simply flip them upside down and dry them in my living room at room temp afterwards. It takes a day or so but they do dry out completely.

[stella-azzurra]

Thank you a lot of good suggestions here.
I'm wondering if any of you that wash your shoes often experience any rust issues with the buckles if you have any or the threads for the cleat bolt holes.

[Tinea Pedis]

I'm not beyond using a toothbrush and kitchen 'Gumption' cleaner on mine.

[kbbpll]

I've not had my Sidi Genius very long, 2.5 years, and live in a dry environment, so I've only washed a couple times. Damp rag worked fine; mine are black.

From http://www.sidiamerica.com/sidi/sidi_faq.html#4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

DO SIDI SHOES REQUIRE MAINTENANCE?

DO’S
•Clean with a damp sponge.
•Store in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.
•Fill with newspaper to absorb any dampness and to keep the shape.
•If the shoes are not damp or wet after use, clean them with a soft brush.
•If the shoes are equipped with levers or other precision closures, clean them carefully and regularly apply a silicone-based or similar lubricant.
•Regularly check and tighten all screws on your shoes, especially the heelpads and SRS®
Sole Replacement System®.

DON’TS
•Do not wash in washing machine or spray clean. [emphasis mine]
•Do not use strong washing powder or abrasive brushes.
•When drying, never place near or next to heaters, fire or other heating elements (the use of detergents and rapid drying may cause excessive hardening or cracks in the materials).

[idler]

I know someone who takes the inners out and puts them in the dishwasher!

Apparently no harm has yet been done to the shoes (non leather ones of course).

[Tinea Pedis]

Mate uses this

http://lockerz.com/s/211601466" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And dishwasher?? That is awesome!