How to Wash Leather Golf Shoes

Caring for your leather golf shoes goes way beyond just making them look presentable, it's about protecting your investment and maintaining on-course performance. Neglected leather gets stiff, cracks, and loses its water resistance, which can lead to discomfort and a shaky foundation for your swing. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from a quick post-round wipe-down to a deep clean that will restore your shoes to their former glory, helping you look, feel, and play your best.

Good Habits Start Post-Round: Why Consistent Care Matters

Think of your leather golf shoes like any other piece of high-performance equipment in your bag. You wouldn't leave your clubs covered in mud and expect them to perform well, and your shoes are no different. They are your one direct connection to the ground, the very foundation of every golf swing you make. When your shoes are caked in dirt and grass, and the leather is stiff and uncared for, you lose that stable, reliable base.

Proper cleaning and maintenance do more than just improve appearances. It preserves the integrity of the leather, stopping it from drying out, cracking, and losing its shape. This is especially important for maintaining the waterproofing features that modern golf shoes offer. When the leather is supple and healthy, it molds to your foot, repels water as designed, and breathes to keep you comfortable for all 18 holes. A five-minute clean-up after your round can save you from a major overhaul later on and dramatically extend the life of your favorite pair of shoes. It's an easy habit that pays big dividends in both comfort and performance.

Assemble Your Cleaning Kit

You don’t need a fancy or expensive setup to get the job done right. Having a dedicated kit with the right tools makes the process quick and easy. Think of this as getting your workstation organized before starting a project. Here’s a simple list of essentials to gather:

• Two Medium-Sized Bowls: One for your soapy cleaning solution and one with clean water for rinsing. This prevents you from reapplying dirty water back onto your shoes.
• Gentle Soap: A few drops of standard dish soap (like Dawn) work wonders. Alternatively, you can buy a dedicated saddle soap or foaming shoe cleaner designed specifically for leather goods.
• Soft-Bristle Brushes: This is a non-negotiable. You'll need at least one to get into crevices and clean the soles without scratching the leather. An old toothbrush is perfect for scrubbing spikes and tough-to-reach areas. Avoid hard, stiff brushes at all costs, as they can cause permanent scuffs and damage to the leather finish.
• Microfiber Towels or Soft Cloths: You’ll need a few. One for washing, one for rinsing, and a completely dry one for buffing at the end. Microfiber is ideal because it's highly absorbent and non-abrasive.
• Shoe Horns or Cedar Shoe Trees: These are invaluable. Inserting shoe trees before you start cleaning and while they dry helps the shoes maintain their original shape and prevents the leather from creasing or collapsing. Cedar also naturally absorbs moisture and mitigates odor.
• Newspaper: Essential for the drying process. Crumpled-up newspaper is fantastic for absorbing internal moisture in a gentle, effective way.
• Leather Conditioner and Polish: A good leather conditioner is food for your shoes, restoring oils and keeping the material supple. Shoe polish (especially a white cream polish for classic shoes) is the final touch to cover scuffs and bring back that brand-new shine.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Your Leather Golf Shoes

With your cleaning kit ready, it's time to get started. The key here is to be methodical, not aggressive. Let the tools and the cleaning solution do the work. Don't rush it, and be gentle with the leather.

Step 1: The Preliminary Takedown

Never start washing with gritty, caked-on mud.

• Head outside: Knock the soles of the shoes together to dislodge any large clumps of dirt, grass, and mud.
• Remove the Laces: Pull the laces out completely. This allows you to clean the tongue and eyelets properly. Set the laces aside to be washed separately.
• Insert Shoe Trees: Place your cedar shoe trees or shoe horns inside the shoes. This provides a firm surface to work against and helps maintain the shoe's structure throughout the process.
• Dry Brush Everything: Using your soft-bristle brush, give the entire shoe - uppers, midsoles, and soles - a thorough dry brushing. The goal here is to remove all loose, dry surface dirt before you introduce any water.

Step 2: Washing the Uppers

This is where the real cleaning happens. Remember, less is more when it comes to water and soap.

• Create your solution: Fill one bowl with warm water and add just a few drops of dish soap or your specialized cleaner. Agitate the water to create a light, sudsy_solution. Fill the second bowl with clean, plain warm water for rinsing.
• Wash gently: Dip a microfiber cloth into the soapy water, wringing it out so it's damp, not soaking wet. Gently rub the leather uppers in small, circular motions. The foam will lift the dirt out of the material. Pay extra attention to common problem areas like the toe box and along the seams.
• Rinse away the soap: Dip a fresh, clean cloth into your bowl of plain water. Wring it out thoroughly and wipe down the uppers to remove any soap residue. Leaving soap on the leather can dry it out over time.

Step 3: Scrubbing the Soles and Spikes

The soles can handle a bit more aggressive cleaning than the delicate uppers.

• Use your brush: Dip your soft-bristle brush (or an old toothbrush for better detail work) into the soapy water. Scrub the bottoms and sides of the soles vigorously to remove all the embedded dirt from the treads and around the spikes. If you have removable spikes, you can take them out for an even deeper clean.
• Wipe clean: Use a damp cloth to wipe down the soles and midsoles, removing the loosened grime and soap.

Step 4: Cleaning the Laces

Don't put dirty laces back into clean shoes. You have two easy options:

• Hand wash: Let them soak in the remaining soapy water for about 15 minutes, then give them a good scrub with your fingers or a brush. Rinse them thoroughly and hang them to air dry.
• Machine wash: For a more hands-off approach, place the laces in a small mesh laundry bag and toss them in with your next load of laundry.

The Critical Drying Phase

How you dry your shoes is just as important as how you wash them. Getting this step wrong can ruin a perfectly good pair of leather shoes.

• NEVER use direct heat: Do not place your shoes near a radiator, in front of a heat vent, a fireplace, or use a hairdryer. Direct heat will bake the leather, causing it to shrink, become brittle, and crack. Avoid direct sunlight for the same reasons.
• Towel Dry First: Use a clean, dry towel to pat down the entire shoe, absorbing as much surface water as possible.
• Stuff with Newspaper: This is the classic, time-tested trick for a reason. Ball up dry newspaper and stuff it tightly inside the shoes. The newspaper will act like a sponge, drawing moisture out from the shoe's interior. Replace the paper every few hours if the shoes were particularly wet.
• Be Patient: Let your shoes air dry naturally at room temperature. This can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Don’t rush the process. A slow, gentle dry is the key to preserving the leather’s quality.

Finishing Touches: Conditioning and Polishing

Once your shoes are completely dry, it's time for the final steps that will restore their health and shine.

• Condition the Leather: Washing can strip some natural oils from the leather. Apply a small amount of leather conditioner to a soft cloth and work it into the uppers using gentle, circular motions. This "feeds" the leather, keeping it flexible and preventing future cracks. Let the conditioner absorb for about 15-20 minutes.
• Polish for Shine and Protection: If your shoes are a classic white or another solid color, apply a matching cream-based polish. This will cover up light scuffs and add a layer of protection and shine. Apply it with a clean cloth or dauber, let it sit for a few minutes, then buff it to a shine with a clean, soft brush or cloth.
• Relace and Admire: Once the polish is buffed, put your fresh, clean laces back in. Your shoes should now look, feel, and smell almost brand new.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your leather golf shoes isn't a massive chore when you break it down into these simple, repeatable steps. By making this a regular part of your routine, you’re not just cleaning your shoes - you're caring for your equipment, ensuring they provide the stable performance and lasting comfort you need on the course.

Maintaining your gear is a fundamental part of playing better golf, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. When you're standing over a tricky lie or deciding on a strategy for a tough hole, that's a different challenge. For those moments, Caddie AI is designed to give you instant, expert-level advice. From helping you choose the right club to analyzing a photo of your ball in the rough and recommending the best shot, we give you the confidence to make smarter decisions, so you can focus on the swing itself.