Tips for Taking Care of Your Softball Cleats

One of the most important pieces of equipment that a softball player owns is their pair of cleats. A quality pair of softball cleats allows players to run faster and have more agility due to the increased traction that these shoes provide. However, worn down or excessively dirty cleats clogged with mud and other debris don’t do a player much good. To ensure that you get the most benefit from your softball cleats as possible, it’s important to take good care of them. Here are some tips for taking care of your softball cleats.

Clean your softball cleats regularly

As a result of running around fields of dirt, mud, and grass, softball cleats can get really dirty, really quick. To prevent mud and other debris from accumulating under the cleats and rendering them ineffective, it’s important to clean them regularly. Ideally, players should clean their softball cleats immediately after every practice and especially before a game.

Never put your softball cleats into a washer or dryer

When cleaning your cleats, you should never put them into a washing machine or dryer. Doing so can permanently warp them—not to mention the damage it can cause to your washer or dryer.

To effectively clean a dirty pair of softball cleats without damaging them, start by using a stick to remove any large clumps of caked-on mud or debris. Then, use a toothbrush or wire brush to scrape off any additional dirt. When doing so, pay special attention to the areas around the spikes to ensure they can dig into the ground and provide you with the traction you need.

Once most of the debris has been brushed away from your softball cleats, run some water over them. For particularly dirty shoes, use soap to get a more thorough clean. Then, wipe them down with a rag and let them air dry.

Store your cleats safely

Another important tip for taking care of your softball cleats is to be mindful of where and how you store them. When you aren’t wearing your cleats, don’t just leave them in your car or toss them outside in the hot sun. Doing so can cause them to melt and become warped. You should also avoid leaving them at the bottom of your bag where they can get squished and become malformed. Instead, make sure to store them in a cool, uncrowded environment and consider stuffing them with newspaper to help them keep their shape.