How To Clean Your Baseball Cleats

Author: Brian Davis | Updated: May 14th, 2025

If you want to perform your best, your baseball cleats need to be in top-notch condition, particularly the spikes, which need to be free of dirt/debris so they can grip the ground effectively, giving you the traction you need to run the base paths, chase down fly balls, and quickly change direction. It’s a small but important bit of maintenance that can determine whether or not you’re in position to make the play. Here’s how you do it:

How Do I Get Dirt Off My Cleats?

During The Game:

Your baseball cleats can often get messy during the game, particularly if you’re playing on muddy dirt. As you might guess, this mud will start to cling to your cleats and too much of it can hinder performance. That’s why we recommend throwing a putty knife in your baseball bag so you have it handy if your cleats need a quick cleaning.

Before Leaving The Field:

Remove as much dirt/mud from your cleats as possible and then place them in a plastic bag or the shoe compartment of your baseball bag. You want to keep them separated so they don’t dirty up your car, equipment, or cause other things you might have in your bag, like clothing, to smell.

Washing Your Cleats:

Start by clapping your shoes together to shake off as much dried mud as you can (please do this in a place where it’s okay to be messy)! Next, fill a bucket with warm (not hot) water and submerge the bottom of your cleats for a minute or two. This will help dissolve the dirt. Next, clean your cleats with a scrubbing brush or old toothbrush. The most important areas to concentrate on are the bottom and sides, especially around the spikes. These are what make contact with the ground, and the cleaner the spike, the better the traction.

Can You Put Baseball Cleats In The Washing Machine?

Only use as much water as needed to remove the dirt. Never fully submerge your cleats in water or put them in the washing machine as this could cause damage to the inside and/or upper. When you’re finished scrubbing, dunk the bottom of the cleats back in the water to rinse them off. Now grab a damp cloth and thoroughly scrub each individual cleat, making sure that small pieces of dirt and mud that may have survived are now wiped away. Next, apply a modest amount of dish soap to the cloth and wipe down the entire shoe. The dish soap will dissolve the bacteria, leaving your shoes smelling fresher. Repeat this general wiping down process until your shoe looks brand new. Rinse the outside of your cleats with fresh water (under the tap or with a hose). If you see a stubborn grass stain that still didn’t come out, try saddle soap. (We recommend using saddle soap at least twice during the season and always before storing them away at the end of the season).

*Tip: If the insole is removable, you can throw it into a pillowcase along with the laces and run it through the washing machine on the cold/delicate cycle. This will also help eliminate existing odor.

Drying Your Cleats:

Dry your cleats with a dry cloth or towel and lay them in a warm area to air dry. Do not put them in direct sunlight, in the dryer, or use a hair dryer to facilitate the drying process.

Leather Conditioner:

Once your cleats are dry, you can apply some leather conditioner to keep them soft and protected. Just don’t overdo it. You could consider this step optional, but if you really like your cleats, it’s a way to keep them looking newer longer.

Storing Your Cleats:

The best place to store cleats is inside at room temperature. We recommend using shoe trees or stuffing them with newspaper first to help them keep their shape in between games.

Clean cleats don’t just make you look more professional on the diamond. They positively affect your performance too, which is why we recommend cleaning them after every use. Your game will reap the rewards!