Yes—Salomon hiking shoes clean best by hand with lukewarm water, mild soap, a soft brush, and air-drying away from heat.
Dirty trail miles don’t have to shorten a shoe’s life. With a routine, you can clear grit, keep fabrics breathing, and hold traction longer. This guide shows exactly what to do for mesh, leather, suede, and GORE-TEX builds, plus odor control and water repellency care. Everything here favors gentle methods that match the brand’s recommendations and common boot care practice as well.
Gear And Prep
Set up near a sink or hose. Pull out the insoles and laces. Knock the outsoles together to shed loose mud, then brush dry dirt from seams and eyelets. Work over a mat or tray so silt doesn’t run everywhere.
| Item | Best Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soft brush or old toothbrush | Outsoles, seams, mesh | Gentle bristles protect knit and overlays |
| Mild dish soap or footwear cleaner | All uppers | No bleach; a few drops per bowl is enough |
| Lukewarm water bowl | Rinsing and mixing | Keep separate from the dirty bucket |
| Microfiber cloth or sponge | Wipe foam midsoles and overlays | Rinse often to avoid streaks |
| Newspaper or clean towels | Drying support | Stuff lightly to hold shape |
| Baking soda or enzyme spray | Odor control | Use when shoes are fully dry |
| DWR spray for footwear | Water repellency refresh | Apply only to clean, dry uppers |
Cleaning Salomon Hiking Shoes Step-By-Step
1. Dry Brush The Grit
Start dry. Use a soft brush to sweep sand from mesh, lace rows, tongue gussets, and the junction where the upper meets the midsole. The less grit you wet, the faster the job goes.
2. Mix A Mild Soap Bath
Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add a small dash of mild soap. You’re aiming for a light suds, not a slick soup.
3. Hand-Wash The Uppers
Dip the brush, shake off excess, and scrub in short passes. Follow the grain of knit or fabric. For coated leather panels, use a damp sponge with tiny circles. Rinse the brush often so you don’t grind dirt back into the weave.
4. Rinse Without Soaking
Wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Avoid soaking the shoe or running water directly into the collar. A light rinse protects adhesives and keeps drying time short.
5. Clean Midsoles And Outsoles
Foam sidewalls hold trail stains. Wipe with a damp cloth and a touch of soap. For the lug pattern, scrub heel-to-toe so stones release from the channels. If you use a pick, go gentle so you don’t nick the rubber.
6. Air-Dry With Support
Blot with a towel and stuff the shoes with newspaper. Set them at room temperature with moving air. Keep them away from radiators, fireplaces, or direct sun. Heat can deform midsoles and weaken cemented bonds.
7. Wash Insoles And Laces
Swish insoles in the same mild soap bath, rinse, and air-dry flat. Laces can soak in a cup of suds, then rinse and hang. Pop both back in only when bone dry.
Material-Specific Care
Mesh And Knit Uppers
Use soft bristles and light pressure. Press a clean cloth against the inside of the panel as you brush the outside—this gives a bit of backing so the weave doesn’t stretch.
Suede Or Nubuck Panels
Let mud dry, then lift it with a suede brush. Spot-clean with a damp sponge and tiny soap dots. When dry, raise the nap with gentle strokes from toe to heel. Skip oils and heavy waxes, which can darken color and clog pores.
Coated Or Smooth Leather
Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. After drying, a light conditioner made for hiking footwear can keep panels from cracking. Go thin; over-treating adds weight and can soften structure.
Waterproof-Breathable Liners
If your pair uses a waterproof membrane, gentle hand-washing and air-drying are the norm. Reapply water repellency to the outer fabric only once the shoe is fully dry.
When Machine Washing Is A Bad Idea
Automatic cycles pound adhesives and can fray mesh. Spinning also stresses heel counters and toe rands. Hand cleaning keeps structure intact and protects stitched overlays. If a rinse is unavoidable on a trip, swish by hand in a basin and skip the spin.
Refresh Water Repellency
Freshly cleaned fabric sheds water better after a light DWR treatment. Use a spray made for footwear and follow the label. Apply in a ventilated spot, mist evenly, then wipe drips from the midsoles. Let the pair dry overnight before use.
Odor Control That Works
Odor comes from moisture and microbes. After each hike, pull the insoles, open the tongue gussets, and let air move. Once dry, sprinkle a spoon of baking soda inside and shake out before wearing. For stubborn smells, use an enzyme-based shoe deodorizer on the insoles and footbeds. Always apply to dry shoes, then let them sit before reassembling.
Spot-Fixes For Common Messes
Clay And Fine Silt
Let dirt dry, then brush it off outside. Re-wet only the stained zones with a damp cloth and work in tiny circles. Two short passes beat one long soak.
Salt Rings From Winter Streets
Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Dab the ring, then blot with clean water. Dry with paper towels stuffed lightly into the toe box.
Sap Or Sticky Tar
Harden residue with an ice cube in a plastic bag, then lift gently with a plastic scraper. Finish with a soap wipe. Skip harsh solvents, which can stain or weaken glue.
Storage And Between-Hike Habits
Store pairs dry and loosened, in a shaded space with airflow. Don’t compress the toe box under a pile of gear. Swap between two pairs on a busy season so foam rebounds fully between outings. Keep a small brush in your trunk so post-trail cleanup starts before mud cures.
Pros And Cons Of Popular Cleaners
Most messes lift with soap and water. Specialty cleaners can help on salty slush stains or set-in grime, but they’re optional for routine care. If you choose a product, pick one labeled for technical footwear.
| Cleaner | Good For | Watch-Outs |
|---|---|---|
| Mild dish soap | Routine washes | Rinse well to avoid residue |
| Footwear cleaning gel | Heavy soil, road grime | Follow label; some need water rinse |
| Enzyme deodorizer | Lingering odors | Apply only to dry shoes and insoles |
| Suede eraser/brush | Dry mud on nubuck | Avoid soaking suede |
| Rubbing alcohol (diluted) | Disinfecting footbeds | Spot-test; keep away from colored suede |
| DWR spray | Water beading | Use on clean, dry fabric only |
Deep Clean After A Mudfest
Caked clay needs patience. Let shoes dry overnight so chunks release cleanly. The next day, knock soles together, then chip remaining clods from the lug channels with a plastic picnic knife. Set a tub beside you and work over it so debris stays contained. Mix fresh soapy water and scrub in sections: heel, quarter panels, toe, then tongue. Rinse the brush after each section. Use a damp cloth for the collars so you don’t saturate the padding. If silt keeps bleeding out of the mesh, press a clean towel inside the shoe as you brush the outside; the towel gives support and wicks out hidden moisture.
Once the upper looks clear, give the midsole its own pass. Trail grime sticks to foam; a sponge with tiny soap dots lifts the film that makes light-colored foam look stained. Finish with a clean damp wipe, then dry as described above. When fully dry, a light DWR mist helps the next rinse bead and roll off.
Troubleshooting That Saves Time
The Shoes Squeak After Cleaning
That squeak is usually moisture trapped where the insole meets the midsole. Pull the insole, let both parts dry longer, then dust a pinch of baking soda under the heel before reassembly.
The Lugs Look Glazed
Road miles can polish rubber. Scuff the lugs lightly with your brush and a touch of soap, then rinse and dry. Grip should feel snappier on dirt again.
The Toecap Is Peeling
Small peel at the edge? Clean and dry the area, then use a flexible shoe repair glue. Tape the edge until cured. Big separations call for a cobbler or the brand’s service path.
Care Notes From The Source
You’ll find brand-specific guidance on official care pages. See the concise directions in the
Salomon footwear care,
and for membrane builds, the steps in
GORE-TEX footwear care.
A Simple After-Hike Routine
Back At The Car
Bang soles together, then knock mud from the heel brake and toe lugs with a brush. Pull the insoles halfway out so air can move during the drive home.
At Home
Brush dry, spot-wash, and set to dry with paper stuffed inside. If the day was rainy, point a fan across the shoes for an hour to speed up evaporation.
Quick Reference: Do’s And Don’ts
Keep this shortlist in your gear closet so the cleaning routine sticks:
- Do hand-wash with mild soap and lukewarm water.
- Do air-dry at room temperature with newspaper inside.
- Do brush dirt before adding water.
- Do refresh repellency only on clean, dry fabric.
- Don’t use direct heat, dryers, or radiators.
- Don’t soak shoes or blast them with a pressure washer.
- Don’t use harsh solvents or full-strength bleach.
Why This Care Routine Extends Life
Grit acts like sandpaper on threads and eyelets. Soap releases oily mud that clings to fibers. Careful drying protects midsoles from warping and keeps glue lines tight. Small habits right after a hike preserve shape, grip, and breathability for season after season.