How to Care for Soccer Cleats

Proper care of your soccer cleats will not only extend their life span, but provide you with better support and increased comfort.  It is most important to care for leather cleats, but synthetic also benefit from proper care.  If properly maintained and cared for, your cleats will serve you well and last a long time.

With brand new cleats begin with a pretreatment of good wax-free leather conditioner. Before the first use of your soccer ceats, it is important to "feed" the leather. By "feeding" the leather, you are replacing some of the essential natural oils lost during the tanning process and making of the cleats.

Clean and condition your shoes immediately after each match. Dirt and mud work to break down the upper materials of your soccer cleats and should be removed as soon as possible.  If there is mud stuck to the bottoms, tap them together or against hard surfaces.

Once you have removed excess dirt from your shoes, apply a leather cleaner or conditioner to your cleats. For grime and excessive dirt, use an aggressive leather cleaner specifically formulated for kangaroo and similar high-quality leathers.  Do not use saddle soap or caustic chemicals for cleaning, as they can pull the colors as well as the natural oils from the leather.  Make sure you use the product according to the directions provided.

If your soccer cleats are extremely dirty, wash them by hand in warm soapy water. Do not wash your cleats in the washing machine. This will shorten the life span of your soccer cleats.  Allow them to dry naturally or with the aid of a dehumidifier, or even near a warm air register. Do not throw your cleats into a clothes dryer. Too much heat, too fast will begin to damage the leather, leading to cracking and tearing. Stuff the cleats with crumpled newspaper so the cleats retain their shape while drying.  

Once cleaned and dried, soccer cleats should be reconditioned, feeding the leather and keeping the fibers flexible.