How to Clean Bottom of Bowling Shoes?

Keeping your bowling shoes clean is important. After bowling, dirt and oil from the lanes builds up on the bottoms. This needs to be cleaned off so you slide and walk right. Cleaning also makes the shoes last longer.

This guide shows the steps to get the bottoms very clean without hurting the shoes. It also shows how to prepare the sliding pads so they keep gliding smoothly. With some basic supplies and these easy methods, you can keep the bottoms of your bowling shoes looking new.

Let’s get started and learn how to properly clean the bottoms of your bowling shoes!

How to Clean Bottom of Bowling Shoes? Step By Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare Cleaning Solution

Fill a regular plastic bucket about halfway with warm tap water. Then add a chemical cleaner made specifically for cleaning the bottoms of bowling shoes safely.

Always read product instructions and wear protective gloves and goggles to keep hands and eyes safe from chemicals. Have a sink or garden hose nearby in case you need to quickly rinse.

Step 2: Scrub Shoe Bottoms

Use a basic scrub brush with stiff nylon bristles and a wide sturdy handle that fits comfortably in your hand. Thoroughly scrub the bottoms in a circular motion. Get into all the small spaces and grooves where oils and dirt build up.

Avoid aggressively scrubbing any stitched or padded areas. When bristles look bent over or worn out, put on a new scrub brush head so you can really dig into stuck-on grime.

Step 3: Clean Slide Pads

For the rubber slide pads near the toes, gently use a soft bowling slide pad brush. This is specially designed to clean oil buildup without damaging the slide pads, which need to glide smoothly.

Keep slide pads underwater as you gently scrub back and forth in the direction a sliding foot would travel. This lifts oil so the pads maintains easy slide. Don’t press too firmly or lets pads dry out while scrubbing.

Step 4: Rinse Shoes

After thorough scrubbing, rinse bottoms under steady running water. Check carefully for any slick looking spots that are still oily, where water bubbles up.

Re-scrub those spots again. Then rinse the entire bottom off once more to get all soap and grime residues off. Run water across from both directions to double check for missed areas.

Step 5: Absorb Interior Moisture

Once scrubbed and rinsed, stuff newspaper or clean rags inside to soak up extra moisture. Replace damp inserts often until inserts come out completely dry.

Having any moisture left inside risks damage to shoe materials.

Step 6: Allow Proper Drying Time

Allow 2-3 full days for shoes to fully air dry before wearing to bowl again. Use a fan blowing gently into them to help evaporate all lingering moisture faster.

Don’t skip thorough drying or try to speed it up. Oils and water keep slowly releasing for awhile. Make sure shoes have no hints of dampness inside before considering them ready to wear.

Step 7: Apply Fresh Slide Wax

Before bowling the next time, prepare the slide pads so you don’t slip. Apply a thin and even layer of slide wax made specifically for bowling shoes per product instructions.

Rub wax thoroughly into pad material using small circles. Then take a lint-free cloth and buff the pads until the wax is smooth and even across the surface. Apply fresh slide wax every few games.

Step 8: Clean Off Old Slide Wax

After you finish bowling for the day, use shoe cleaner made to remove slide wax so pads fully refresh for next time. Spray or dip to fully wet pads and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth. Store shoes inside a breathable bag once totally dry.

Always be patient and allow proper drying time for longest life span. Rotate two pairs of bowling shoes if possible, allowing 48+ hours of drying time between wearings.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, keeping the bottoms of bowling shoes clean requires using specialized cleaners and brushes. Thoroughly scrub all surfaces, rinse away residue, allow proper drying time, and reapply slide wax. Following this process regularly keeps bowling shoes sliding smoothly and looking new.

The keys are using bowling-specific products, scrubbing fully, rinsing completely, drying fully, and rewaxing pads. Do this after each use and your bowling shoes will stay in great shape. Now that you know the proper methods, go give your bowling shoes a deep clean so you can keep bowling your best!