Reebok Socks, Cleats, and Sandals: Footwear Care That Lasts
By Reebok® Official Site | Life is Not a Spectator Sport | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Tips & Care
A practical care routine for Reebok socks, cleats, and sandals that prevents odor, cracking, and premature wear without harsh chemicals.
Quick answer
Treat socks, cleats, and sandals as three different materials with three different care rules. Wash socks inside out in cold water and air-dry them, brush dried mud off cleats before it sets and never soak leather, and wipe sandals with mild soap and a soft brush before they go back in the closet. A five-minute routine after each use prevents most odor, cracking, and midsole breakdown.
Why footwear care is three routines, not one
Socks are knit textiles, cleats are usually synthetic uppers with molded plates, and sandals are foam or leather with exposed straps. Heat and water that help one can wreck another. Cotton socks tolerate a cold machine cycle; leather sandals and glued cleat plates do not. The common mistake is throwing everything in the wash or leaving wet gear in a bag overnight. Instead, sort by material and dry completely before storage.
What you need before you start
You do not need a specialty kit. A soft-bristle brush, a microfiber cloth, mild liquid soap, cold water, and a mesh laundry bag cover almost every situation. Skip bleach, fabric softener, and hot dryers because they break down elastic, adhesives, and foam. If you use a cleaning product, test it on a hidden area first.
How to dry footwear without damage
Air is the safest dryer. Stuff cleats and sandals with crumpled newspaper or a dry towel to absorb moisture and hold shape, then leave them in a shaded, ventilated spot. Direct sun and radiators can warp foam and crack leather. If you must speed things up, a fan on low works better than heat. Never put cleats or sandals in a tumble dryer.
Step-by-step footwear care routine
- Step 1: Knock off loose dirt and mud immediately: Before you go inside, clap cleats together or tap them on grass, then brush off dried mud with a stiff brush. Do this outdoors so you do not spread grit indoors. Checkpoint: if mud is still wet, rinse with cold water only and blot dry; never let it dry into the seams.
- Step 2: Wash socks inside out in cold water: Turn socks inside out to expose the odor-causing bacteria and skin cells trapped in the fibers. Use a mesh bag, cold water, and mild detergent on a gentle cycle. Skip fabric softener because it coats fibers and reduces breathability. Checkpoint: if socks still smell after washing, re-wash with a half-cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle, then air-dry.
- Step 3: Hand-clean cleats with a soft brush and mild soap: Dip the brush in a mix of cold water and a drop of mild soap, scrub the upper and plate, then wipe with a damp cloth. Avoid soaking leather cleats or getting water inside the shoe. Checkpoint: never machine-wash cleats; the agitation can loosen glued soles and warp the plate.
- Step 4: Wipe sandals after every wear: Use a damp cloth with mild soap to remove sweat and sunscreen from straps and footbeds. For textured foam, a soft brush lifts grime from the ridges. Rinse the cloth, not the sandal, to keep water out of glued layers. Checkpoint: if sandals smell, sprinkle baking soda on the footbed, let sit overnight, then brush off.
- Step 5: Air-dry everything completely before storage: Stuff cleats and sandals with newspaper to absorb moisture and hold shape. Hang socks or lay them flat. Keep all footwear out of direct sun and away from heaters. Checkpoint: if you can feel any dampness inside, do not put items in a bag or closet; trapped moisture causes mildew and odor.
- Step 6: Store clean and dry, not compressed: Once fully dry, store cleats and sandals loosely so air can circulate. Do not stack heavy items on top of cleats, which can crush the heel counter. Keep socks folded, not balled, to protect elastic. Checkpoint: rotate between two pairs of cleats if you play often, giving each pair 24 hours to dry completely.
Reebok gear that benefits from this routine
- Nano Golf Shoes: Performance golf shoes with a lightweight FlexWeave upper, responsive Floatride performance foam, raised lugs, and a TPU Torsion Shank. The FlexWeave upper and foam midsole respond well to brushing and air-drying, but heat can degrade the foam and shank, so keep them out of dryers and hot cars.
- Classic Leather Shoes: Retro-inspired shoes with a durable leather upper and Union Jack logo. Leather needs conditioning and spot cleaning rather than soaking, so treat these differently from mesh or knit footwear.
- Italia Soccer T-Shirt: A soft cotton jersey t-shirt with Italy graphics front and back. Cotton jersey washes well in cold water and air-dries quickly, making it a good benchmark for how to treat cotton socks in the same load.
