How to stop killing shoes?

[alj92]

Every time I buy a pair of white golf shoes I kill them in the matter of a few rounds. 

 

Last season I bought the FootJoy Flex shoes and within 4-5 rounds they were completely stained with dirt and sand. 

 

This season I got the New Balance Fresh Foam and again after 4-5 rounds the uppers are stained. 

 

As a disclaimer, I play in typically warm/dry weather. I walk my course which is 6,700 yards. After each round I clean the shoes, once or twice a month in the wash machine. At the point where no matter what I do, the shoes look completely destroyed on the upper portion quickly. 

 

How does the entire world with white golf shoes keep them clean and soft golf shoes lasting more than a few rounds? 

[golfheaven69]

Hit it in the fairway. 

[2bGood]

I am not familiar with the models you are talking about, but white leather shoes are easy to keep white for ever. Clean lightly after the round and use some white shoe polish from time to time. 

 

White fabric shoes are a disposable item. I tend to only wear them when it is very dry out and I do toss them after a season. 

[toc]

@2bGood is right, leather is easier to keep white. For white sneaker type shoes try reshoevenator or some other cleaner 

[JeffreySpicoli]

1 hour ago, alj92 said:

After each round I clean the shoes, once or twice a month in the wash machine. At the point where no matter what I do, the shoes look completely destroyed on the upper portion quickly. 

Leather shoes in a washing machine? Seriously?

[@_the_crook]

Mesh footwear doesn't clean too well no matter what you try.

The dirt becomes embedded in the mesh and under layers of fabric.

Golf courses are loaded with grass stain and wet soil.

If you need mesh shoes, go dark. It will hide much of the discoloration.

 

 

[NJBigFish22]

Don’t buy white shoes.  If my shoes get dirty, who cares, I’m playing golf not going to Prom.

[tiderider]

2 hours ago, golfheaven69 said:

Hit it in the fairway. 

i'll respond for the OP: 

[cristphoto]

I wouldn't ever put golf shoes in a washing machine.  

[Jeff58]

You need -

A toothbrush

A bucket or large bowl

Cool water

Distilled white vinegar

OxiClean stain remover liquid 

 

Mix 1 part vinegar with one part water. Fill the container with just enough of the mixture so that an inverted shoe (you’re putting them in sole up) is submerged up to the sole. Let stand in the mixture for 30 minutes. Remove and rinse the entire shoe with cool water. Next, apply the OxiClean to the toothbrush and lightly scrub a good amount into the fabric upper. Let stand for 15 minutes, then again rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Only the oldest stains can have any hope against this combination. Be aware that this is also going to remove some types of dye (grass is a dye), so try it on a lost cause pair first if in doubt.

Edited June 7, 2021 by Jeff58
Beware

[ND2005]

12 hours ago, JeffreySpicoli said:

Leather shoes in a washing machine? Seriously?

Indeed. WTF. 

 

I keep it simple. 

 

After each use, clean with a damp cloth to get off any dirt/debris and then immediately dry them. That takes care of 99% of problems. 

 

Spot clean any stains as needed. 

 

Then I put them in shoe trees to keep from any creasing/cracking of the leather

 

After about every 3-5 rounds I'll use Saphir renovateur cream. If they need a true polish I'll use a white polish. 

[KMeloney]

12 hours ago, JeffreySpicoli said:

Leather shoes in a washing machine? Seriously?

 

Where did you get that he put leather shoes in a washing machine?

 

[JeffreySpicoli]

6 minutes ago, KMeloney said:

 

Where did you get that he put leather shoes in a washing machine?

 

 

I'd assumed that if one wanted durable white golf shoes that one would purchase leather. I now see that he's not buying leather shoes.

 

So the answer is: Buy white leather shoes.

 

[MattM97]

Yeah mesh shoes are awful to keep clean so only dark colors for me. As for white leather I have a pair of Pro SL's, TourX and Nike Roshe in white leather and I wipe them down after every round. Only parts really getting stained is the seam where the upper leather is connected to the sole. But other than that no issues. 

 

For example I have a pair of Puma shoes that are mesh and they are dusty after rounds and I have to beat them clean or put a leaf blower on low to clean them out. 

[ckay]

Reshoevenator

[phil75070]

Great article from the people at Sqairz on how to clean all types of golf shoes, not just theirs:

 

How To Clean Golf Shoes | SQAIRZ Golf Shoes

[smashdn]

I'll go a step further and recommend a Peet shoe dryer.  If you sweat or the shoes get wet, clean them and put them on the shoe dryer for a day or two and then insert your shoe trees.  Pull the insole first.

 

Use newspaper stuffed inside in a pinch for a few days to get them dry.

[jwhite86]

On all mesh shoes I immediately spray them with Crep Protect before wearing them... not just golf shoes... then clean/ reapply as needed

[m052310]

I wipe mine down post-round with Armor All car wipes. Works great.

[Flip4000]

I usually spray my white shoes with a protectant when they are brand new. I spray a few base coats and they usually wipe clean most of the time. For mesh golf shoes this is a must as it helps prevent staining. For leather shoes, not really needed but I haven't found it to hurt them too much. 

 

Typically the key to keeping white shoes white is prevention, and up keep. Spraying them with something to prevent the stains and wiping them down after each round to keep them from getting stained or letting the stains set in. 

[PhilsFanDrew]

If I go for the mesh style sneaker shoes but want a lighter color I will go with a light to medium grey.  They are just as neutral as white and go easily with navy, black, khaki, etc.  I bought a pair of Ashworth fabric shoes in white and sprayed them with scotchguard and it didn't seem to matter.  After 10 rounds they looked horrible so I just kept them around as a spare in my car to wear at the range. 

[kmay__]

^ Like mentioned above, spraying them when new with some kind of protectant would likely be your best defense against it. Leather shoes of course last longer and are easier to clean... I need new shoes right now and am not crazy about these new style running shoe types, for the fear they wont last. 

[Frankensteins Monster]

Baby wipes after every round. Nothing else is necessary if you do that unless it's mesh. Then, you need a brush and some soap.

[MattyO1984]

17 hours ago, Frankensteins Monster said:

Baby wipes after every round. Nothing else is necessary if you do that unless it's mesh. Then, you need a brush and some soap.

 

Baby wipes are great for getting rid of the dirt or anything that has gotten on them. I would say that if you are using wipes on leather shoes then it would be a good idea to pop some leather cream on there to stop them from drying out.

[Marty86]

You can wash leather shoes in a washing machine. I don't see how people think that won't work. Just put them in a pillow case or something like that.

[VNutz]

Step 1: Have kids

 

Step 2: Wait several years, get them into teeball or softball.

 

Step 3: Enjoy how long your shoes last, as you no longer use them. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

[Lasorcier]

The prevention comment is a good one.  I use this stuff called "hat saver" on new hats.  My white hat has been going all year so far and still looks new, even after the last few weeks of 90+ temps.  I use the same stuff on white leather shoes.  Works awesome.  I don't have mesh shoes usually because of horrid support (flat feet).  Every month, I'll respray them.  Cleaning is super easy that way.

[nikeblades00]

After almost every round at the cart barn I grab their bottle of clean spray and squirt it over shoes and promptly rub clean with my towel. Been doing this for years. And my shoes always look great and leather never dries or anything. Don't overthink it .

[trilerian]

I clean my with water and a soft scrub brush.  No need to go crazy, they will get dirty the next time out anyway.  Also, I go through 2 pair a shoes a season, so they never get time to get super bad.

[bcski]

OP:

 

Magic Eraser is your friend.  Pick one up and you will be amazed...