How to Wash & Deodorize Weightlifting Shoes

Safety is the number one priority when it comes to weightlifting. That’s why proper equipment is so important.

For starters, you’ll want to invest in a pair of weightlifting gloves. They’ll prevent blisters and calluses from forming on your hand and will provide you with better grip when you’re holding onto the bar.

Knee sleeves are also highly recommended. They’ll provide compression, which will reduce pain and swelling in the joints following a workout.

The most important thing of all, however, is to have a good pair of weightlifting shoes.

Believe it or not but they can make a big difference when it comes to lifting weights. We’ll be talking more about them below.

Benefits of Wearing Weightlifting Shoes

Weightlifting shoes are different from regular shoes in that they come with a lifted heel that increases the range of movement in your ankles. This allows you to squat deeper, which will improve your overall position.

That’s not all, they’ll also boost your performance by providing you with a solid and stable surface.

How to Pick a Pair of Lifters

There are a few things that you want to consider when choosing weightlifting shoes. For one thing, you want to consider the heel height.

How can you tell whether it’s right for you? Try them on, you should feel as if you’re leaning slightly forward. Aside from that, you also want to consider the shoe material, style, and durability.

Popular Brands That Make Lifting Shoes

Reebok

Reebok is a global brand that specializes in footwear and apparel. Founded in 1958, the company was one of the first to utilize track spikes in shoes.

After many years of operation, they were acquired by Adidas in 2005. Nowadays, they have products that are geared towards various sports such as running, cross-fit, yoga, and mixed martial arts.

Adidas

Adidas is one of the most well-known sports brands in the world. Founded by Adolf Dassler, the company is known for their iconic logo, which consists of three slanted stripes. Aside from weightlifting shoes, they also sell footwear for hockey, running, training, basketball, and football.

Nike

Nike is the largest manufacturer of athletic shoes in the world. Aside from footwear, they also sell apparel, accessories, and sports equipment.

With that said, they’re probably best known for their footwear. As with other brands, they have certain products that are designed for specific sports (weightlifting included). For instance, they have ones that are meant for baseball, training, running, skateboarding, volleyball, and golf.

Nordic Lifting

Nordic Lifting specializes in weightlifting gear. Based in Sweden, the brand sells a variety of products for lifters including wraps, compression gear, accessories, and more.

Unlike the other brands that we’ve mentioned, their products are only available online; they do not have a brick-and-mortar store.

Inov-8

Inov-8 is a leading manufacturer of all-terrain footwear, apparel, and sports equipment. Founded in 2003, the brand has been offering high-quality, innovative products for over two decades.

In addition to weightlifting shoes, they also have products that are designed for running, cross-fit, training, hiking, and more.

How to Wash Weightlifting Shoes

Ideally, you want to clean your shoes every few weeks to keep them in tip top condition.

Putting Your Weightlifting Shoes in the Washer

Some weightlifting shoes are machine washable. When in doubt, check the care tag label on the inside – it’ll give you all the information you need on how to wash them.

Start by removing the laces. While you can keep them on, it’s best to take them off and wash them separately in a small mesh bag – that will prevent them from getting tangled. If you don’t have a wash bag, you stuff them inside a pillowcase.

Note: Depending on your shoes, you might be able to take out the inner soles and wash them separately.

Next, prepare your shoes by wiping off as much debris as possible from the surface with a soft brush. If necessary, you can clap them together a few times – that will help to remove some of the dirt.

When you’re finished, put the lifting shoes in a laundry bag and place them in the washer. Do not wash them by themselves; you want to balance the load by adding a few towels.

Add a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent powder to the tub and start the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle. Once it’s finished running, remove the shoes. Take them out of the laundry bag and let the shoes air dry at room temperature.

Washing Your Lifting Shoes by Hand

Create a bath for your shoes by mixing a small amount of ACTIVE Detergent powder with warm water. Once the powder has dissolved, apply it onto the surface of your shoe using a small brush. Avoid rubbing motions as that can damage the shoe material.

Pay extra attention to the grooves as that’s where most of the dirt gets embedded.

Next, wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth. From there, all you have to do is wait for it to air dry. Do not put them in the dryer – the heat will melt the glue.

Best Way to Deodorize Smelly Shoes

Shoe odor can be an issue, especially if you don’t wear socks. Fortunately, you can tackle tough odors easily – you just need the right tools and products.

Eliminating Shoes Smell With Baking Soda

Baking soda is great in that it’ll help neutralize your stinky shoes. All you have to do is sprinkle the powder into the shoes – about a tablespoon’s worth or so should be enough.

For the best results, leave the baking soda in the shoes over night – that will allow it to eliminate any smells caused by odor-causing agents.

Deodorize Shoes With White Vinegar

Dampen a cloth with white vinegar and use it to swab the inside of each shoe. Do not use balsamic or apple cider vinegar and these variations can stain the fabric.

Tip: You can also fill a spray bottle with a vinegar solution and apply them to your lifting and running shoes that way.

When you’re finished, let them air dry. Do not wear them again until they’re dry completely. If necessary, you can stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper – they will help get rid of the excess moisture so that they will dry more quickly.