Alright, let me tell you how I keep my Nike golf shoes from getting gross. You know how it is, you walk the course, maybe it’s a bit damp, maybe it’s just hot, and by the end, your shoes have seen better days. Grass stains, dirt, sweat – the works.
So, the first thing I do, literally right after the round, maybe back at the car or the clubhouse, is bang them together. Get that loose dirt and grass clumps off the soles. Sometimes I’ll even use a tee or a brush if there’s mud really caked in there. Then, I usually give the uppers a quick wipe with a damp towel if I have one handy. Just gets the surface stuff off before it really sets in.
My At-Home Routine
When I get home, that’s when the proper clean-up happens, usually not right away, but definitely before the next time I play. Can’t stand putting on dirty shoes.
Here’s my usual drill:
- Get prepped: I grab an old towel to put the shoes on, a soft brush (like an old toothbrush or a dedicated shoe brush), a stiffer brush for the soles, some mild soap (dish soap works fine), and a bowl of lukewarm water.
- Laces out: First, I pull the laces out. They get thrown into the wash with my golf clothes sometimes, or I just hand wash them in the soapy water. Makes a big difference.
- Scrub the soles: Using the stiff brush and soapy water, I go to town on the soles and spikes. Gotta get all that ground-in dirt and grass out of the grooves. I rinse the brush often.
- Clean the uppers: This depends on the material. If it’s synthetic leather or mesh like on many Nikes, I use the soft brush with just a little soapy water. I go gentle here, circular motions. Don’t want to damage the material. I wipe it clean with a damp cloth afterwards. Avoid soaking the shoe completely.
- Inside job: I usually give the inside a quick wipe with a damp cloth too, especially around the collar. If they’re particularly sweaty, I might use a cloth with a tiny bit of soap.
Drying and Freshening
Drying is super important. Never, ever stick them next to a heater or use a hairdryer. That can mess up the materials and the glue. What I do is stuff them loosely with paper towels or newspaper. This helps absorb moisture from the inside and helps them keep their shape.
Then, I just leave them in a well-ventilated spot, out of direct sunlight, to air dry completely. This might take a day or so, depending on how damp they got.
Once they’re totally dry, I put the clean laces back in. To keep them smelling decent between rounds, I often sprinkle a bit of baking soda inside and let it sit overnight before shaking it out. Or I use cedar shoe trees – they absorb moisture and have a nice smell. Storing them in a cool, dry place, not stuffed in a plastic bag, also helps prevent smells.
And that’s pretty much it. It’s not rocket science, just a bit of a routine after playing. Makes a huge difference, though. My Nikes last longer, look better, and most importantly, don’t smell like a locker room exploded. Feels good grabbing clean, fresh shoes for the next round.
