How to Clean Muddy Shoes

Co-authored by Marc Sigal

Last Updated: December 8, 2021 References

Your shoes can get caked with mud if you go hiking or running outside. You don’t want to leave mud on your shoes because it doesn’t look good and can ruin the integrity of the shoes. To clean mud from shoes, use a brush to get off caked mud, wipe them down with a damp cloth, and let them air dry.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Caked on Mud

1
Wipe your shoes off on the grass. Before you go inside your house, try to get as much mud as possible off the shoes. Wipe and stomp your feet on the grass. You can also try wiping your shoes on a rug. Just try to get as much mud off as you can.^{[1]
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2
Let the mud dry on the shoes. As soon as you come in from outside, take off your shoes. Let the mud dry before you try to brush it off. This can help thick mud come off easier.

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3
Use a brush to remove caked on mud. Choose a shoe brush, nail brush, or toothbrush. Brush the dried, caked mud to remove as much as you can. Try to brush quickly and with pressure to get the mud off.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
4
Use chopsticks to pick out mud. For those hard to get crevices on the bottom and sides of your shoes, use a chopstick to pick out the mud. Drag the pointy end through the crevice to pull out dirt that is caked in.^{[3]
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- You can also try to use a toothpick if you don’t have chopsticks.
5
Use a hose. If the mud is still caked on and won’t come off, try using a garden hose. Spray the outside of the shoe with the direct spray of the hose. The force of the water from the hose may help dislodge mud from the shoe.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning the Shoes

1
Soak the shoes in warm water. If your shoes are really muddy, you may want to soak them in warm water before you clean them. This may also be helpful if the caked on mud won’t come off. Fill a plastic bin with warm water and submerge your shoes.
- This works better for sneakers.
2
Mix a soapy mixture to use on sneakers. If you are washing sneakers or canvas shoes, mix warm water with a mild detergent.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Only use a small amount of detergent, enough to make a light soapy mixture. Don’t use soaps or detergents on leather boots. Instead, use water or a boot cleaner designed for leather.^{[6]
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3
Wipe the shoes with a cloth. If you can use soap on the shoe, dampen the cloth with the soapy water. If you cannot use soap on the shoe, just use warm water. Take the cloth and clean the muddy areas on the shoes.
- You can also use an old toothbrush to scrub the shoes.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
4
Rinse the shoe using a damp cloth. If there is detergent left on the shoes, wipe it away with a different cloth dampened with warm water. Wipe away all excess soap on the shoes.
5
Wash the shoelaces and insoles. If your shoes have shoelaces and insoles, wash those. Remove them from the shoes and place them in a plastic tub filled with warm water and detergent. Hand wash them, and then lay them out to dry.^{[8]
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- If the laces and insoles are too dirty, just buy new ones.
6
Let the shoes dry. Place crumpled newspaper into the shoes to help them maintain their shape. Let the shoes air dry. Don’t place them in the dryer because this can damage the shoes.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Don’t place them in direct sunlight because that can fade the color of the shoes.^{[10]
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Research source}
- Replace damp newspaper with new newspaper so it can soak up more water.
7
Wash them in the washing machine. Some shoes, like cloth canvas shoes, can be washed in the washing machine. If you want to wash your shoes, place them in a mesh bag and put them in the washing machine. You should place some other sturdy clothes in with them, like towels or jeans, to protect the washing machine.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- Check the tag to make sure your shoes are machine washable.
- Let them air dry afterwards.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I dry running shoes out quickly?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The best way to dry shoes is to stuff them with crumpled-up newspaper and set them out in front of a fan. Check your shoes periodically and replace the newspaper whenever it feels kind of damp. Leave your shoes out 6-12 hours and they should dry out just fine. You really shouldn't throw running shoes in the dryer, since it may ruin or damage them, so air drying in front of a fan is really the only efficient option.