How to Clean Rock Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoes can become extremely stinky in a short period of time. Whether you are at an indoor climbing gym walking on pads that are full of dead skin and chalk or you are outside in the dirt, your shoes will get dirty. Top that off with sweat, and the stink can sometimes be enough for your partner to ban them from the house. However, there are some things you can do to kill the bacteria that form and to keep your shoes squeaky clean.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Bucket Warm water Toothbrush Mild detergent Lysol
Bucket
Warm water
Toothbrush
Mild detergent
Lysol

Step 1

Fill a bucket or container with warm water and a touch of light detergent.

Step 2

Allow your shoes to soak in the water for a few minutes.

Step 3

Use your toothbrush to scrub away the grime both inside and outside of the shoe. Use a bit of extra detergent on specific hard-to-clean spots.

Step 4

Rinse your shoes completely to make sure there is no detergent remaining on the shoe.

Step 5

Clean your feet and put the shoes on to keep them from shrinking.

Step 6

Allow the shoes to air dry out of the sun in a cool spot.

Tips & Warnings

After they are completely dry, spray some Lysol or other disinfectant into the shoes for added odor and germ control.

Don't use heavy detergents or put your shoes in the washing machine or dish washer.

Article Written By Lizzy Scully

Lizzy Scully is a senior contributing editor for Mountain Flyer magazine and the executive director of the nonprofit Girls Education International. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from University of Utah and Master of Science in journalism from Utah State University.

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