How to Clean High Tops Basketball Shoes? (Easiest Method)

So, How to Clean High Tops Basketball Shoes?

Well, here's how:

• Remove laces and insoles, then brush off loose dirt and dust
• Mix warm water with mild detergent and gently scrub the upper with a soft brush or cloth
• Use a slightly firmer brush on the soles to remove stuck dirt
• Wash laces in soapy water and lightly clean insoles at the same time
• Wipe everything with a clean damp cloth to remove soap residue
• Stuff shoes with paper and let them air dry at room temperature
• Once fully dry, put laces and insoles back in place

Stay tuned. We are also covering the key tips to keep them in tip-top shape.

How to Clean High Top Basketball Shoes?

• Take out the laces and insoles, then knock off any loose dirt with a brush or cloth
• Prepare a mild soap and warm water mix, and gently clean the upper surface
• Scrub the outsole separately to clear mud and buildup
• Clean laces and insoles together using the same solution
• Wipe the shoes with a damp cloth to remove leftover soap
• Let them air dry naturally, with paper inside to hold their shape
• Reassemble everything once completely dry

You can clean your high top basketball shoes by following the given steps:

Step 1: Remove the Dirt and Stains

After you use your high-top basketball shoes, dirt and grime will definitely set in them. If you can, it is advisable to remove dirt after every wear. This may seem a bit of effort, but it can protect your shoes in the long run and keep them new and clean.

Right after use, clean your shoes and remove all dirt and grime on them immediately. However, if your high-top basketball shoes are made up of absorbent material such as mesh, suede, or canvas, let the mud and dirt dry for some time. Once it is dried, brush it off with a stiff brush and start the cleaning process.

Tip: For shoes other than absorbent material, a soft-bristle brush will also do the task. Move the brush in to and fro manner and remove all the dirt and mud. You can also use a dampened cloth to remove the moist gunk or mud.

Step 2: Make a Cleaning Solution from Products at Your Home

Cleansing Solution: Bring half a bucket or bowl of warm water and add a few drops of any mild detergent or dish soap present at your home. Mix the soap well until it becomes a bit bubbly.

Baking Soda Paste: For soles, baking soda paste also works best. To make baking soda paste, add a few spoonfuls of baking soda into a bowl and add few water drops to make a thick paste with a toothpaste-like consistency.

Tip: While you make a cleaning solution with products at home, don't use any harsh detergent, chemical, bleach, or cleaner. They can fade the color of the shoes or destroy the fabric.

Step 3: Wipe Off Dirt with Cleansing Solution

Remove the shoelaces before using the cleaning solution.

Now take a cloth and moisten it with a cleansing solution. Don't soak the cloth fully in solution. Start wiping the shoes thoroughly with a cloth. You can re-soak the cloth to clean the shoes properly. Scrub a bit aggressively at places where stains are deeply set in.

To clean the shoe soles, put a dab of toothpaste on a toothbrush and start moving it circularly so that the entire scuff can dissolve. You can also use the cleansing solution or a paste of baking soda and water.

For creases, seams or corners, use a toothbrush or fingertip under the cloth to remove the dirt and stains. Use a toothpick or a stiff and dry brush to pick out pebbles or dirt trapped in shoe treads.

Tip: If your high-top basketball shoes are white or made of leather material, add a tiny amount of toothpaste to the dampened cloth or brush or in the cleansing solution and clean the surfaces. However, toothpaste works best for leather panels.

Tip: If your shoes have canvas or other absorbent material, it is better to use the cleansing solution with the help of a soft bristle brush. However, you can scrub the dirt off aggressively on canvas or absorbent material.

Step 4: Remove the Soapy Solution

Finally, remove the soapy solution from the shoes with the help of a slightly damp cloth with plain water. Make sure all the sourness is wiped away, along with dirt and grime. Also, wipe away the toothpaste or baking soda paste.

Tip: Do not put your shoes in water or under the faucet. It can destroy the shoe's fabric and binding. 

Step 5: Clean the Shoelaces and Insoles

Your shoe insoles and shoe laces also need cleaning for better performance. Clean the shoelaces and insoles with the same cleaning solution. Dampen them in the solution and scrub off the stains and dirt. Else you can give them a round in the washing machine. You can also clean them the same way as you cleaned the shoes in step 3.

Step 6: Air Dry Your Basketball Shoes 

Dry all the surface moisture with a dry cloth. You can do so by wiping the dry cloth all over the shoes. After that, let your shoes air dry.

Air-dry the insoles, inserts, and shoelaces. Once they are air-dried, sprinkle a few pinches of baking soda on insoles to control the odor. 

Tip: At the final steps, don't use a hairdryer, radiator, clothes dryer, or any other heat source to dry the shoes. This method can cause the shrinking of the fabric or cracking of the bindings around corners and seams. Stuff some newspaper inside the shoes to keep the shoes in normal shape. It will also help dry any dampness that leaked inside the shoes.

Once dry, you can wear your clean, high-top basketball shoes for the next practice session.

Can You Clean High Top Basketball Shoes in the Washing Machine?

There are mixed reviews regarding putting your shoes in the washing machine. We do not recommend you clean your footwear in the washing machine. Though it didn't take much time to do the job, it can cause lasting damage to your soles, seams, and uppers. After 2-3 cycles, your shoes will be discolored and damaged.

If you really want to clean them in the washing machine, it's advisable to read the manufacturer's guide. Your manufacturer's guide will recommend whether to put them in the washing machine or not.

When you’re choosing basketball shoes, it usually doesn’t feel like a big process at first. You just want something that feels right and lets you move freely on the court. Most players start by looking at brands and asking things like are Under Armour shoes good for basketball or is Anta a good brand for basketball shoes. That’s normal. But once you actually start playing in them, you realise pretty quickly that it’s less about the name and more about how they feel in motion.

The first thing that stands out is grip. You notice it right away when you stop, pivot, or change direction. If the shoe doesn’t hold the floor well, everything else feels a bit off. That’s why players often end up searching for things like how to increase grip or traction on basketball shoes or trying small fixes like ways to make basketball shoes sticky on gym courts. Right after that, support becomes important.

If you’re moving quickly or landing hard, you start thinking more about your ankles, which is where lists like basketball shoes that are best for ankle support or another version of basketball shoes that are best for ankle support start to make a lot more sense.

Then there’s comfort, which you really feel during longer games or practice sessions. Not every shoe fits the same, and if you have wider feet, that can make things a bit tricky. That’s why something like best basketball shoes for wide feet can be genuinely helpful.

And if you like the idea of having something that feels more personal, you might even explore design your own basketball shoes online.

After a few games, you start to notice the small things too. Indoor courts get dusty, and that can affect grip more than you’d expect. That’s where simple habits like how to keep your basketball shoes clean or more specific care like how to clean high tops basketball shoes really come in handy. And if you’re practicing on your own, it all ties in with things like everything you need to know about solo basketball practice.

At some point, you might also wonder if you can use your basketball shoes for something else. It’s a pretty common question, especially around can you wear basketball shoes for volleyball. They can work in certain situations, but they’re still built for basketball first.

Bottom Line

As a basketball player, having high-quality yet affordable basketball shoes is of utmost importance. freakyshoes.com makes it incredibly easy for you to get your hands on the best yet affordable high-top basketball shoes.

At freakyshoes.com, you can get custom-made basketball shoes of your preferred style, color scheme, texture, and material. So, buy high-top basketball shoes from freakyshoes.com now and enjoy the game.