How To Clean Merrell Walking Shoes?

For outdoor activities like walking and hiking, you can rely on Merrell to provide you with comfortable footwear.

The problem is that, after you’ve enjoyed the day, you’ll also end up with soiled shoes.

For this reason, it’s very important that you learn how to clean Merrell walking shoes without damaging their components.

How To Clean Merrell Walking Shoes

First and foremost, under no circumstances is it okay to throw your Merrell shoes into the washing machine.

Instead, handwashing will always be the best option, which will significantly extend their lifespan, too.

If you have no idea how to go about that, here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow:

Step 1: Brush off surface dirt regularly.

You will almost always use your Merrell shoes when partaking in outdoor activities.

As such, it’s no surprise that they accumulate dirt and debris after every fun day outdoors.

In that case, it’s important that you make it a habit to clean your shoes afterward.

You’ll want to use a soft-bristled brush or sponge so that you can remove any buildup as gently as possible.

If you do this regularly, you might not have to wash your shoes with soap and water as often.

Step 2: Wash with mild soap and warm water.

Avoid using harsh cleaning products on your shoes even if they develop stubborn stains.

As you can imagine, these chemicals can damage the footwear’s material, ruining the integrity of your shoes.

Instead, use a bucket of warm water and a bar of mild soap to remove stubborn dirt and stains on your shoes.

You can use a soft toothbrush to apply the soapy water to the dirty area.

Keep the soap or water from reaching the interior, as it can damage the material inside, including the insole.

Once you are confident that the dirt is removed, rinse the shoes under running water to get rid of the soap.

Avoid leaving any soap residue on the shoes because this can also cause damage to the footwear.

Step 3: Remove insoles and laces.

If the inside of your shoes needs cleaning, you can do so by removing the insoles and laces.

Wash them using the same combination of mild soap and warm water.

After washing the insoles and laces, leave them to air dry at room temperature.

Ensure that the insoles are entirely free of moisture before reinserting into the shoes.

If you notice any damage to the laces, replace them with a new one instead.

Step 4: Dry the shoes at room temperature.

Allow your shoes to air dry naturally.

Do not use high temperatures when drying your Merrells, as they could break down the materials and adhesives.

We also don’t recommend putting your shoes in the dryer or leaving them out under direct sunlight.

You should be able to dry the shoes overnight at room temperature, as long as you don’t soak the interior with water.

You can speed up the drying process by crimping old newspapers and putting them inside the shoes to absorb moisture.

Aside from newspapers, you can also use paper towels for the same purpose.

Then, check on these stuffings after an hour or two and replace them if they become wet.

How To Remove Unwanted Odor?

What if you can smell a lingering odor on your Merrell shoes even after washing them with soap? Here’s what you can do to eliminate the odor.

Step 1: Clean the shoes completely.

Sometimes, you will notice a persistent odor on your shoes after deep cleaning them.

Ensure that the shoes are free of any moisture and wholly dried before doing the next step.

Step 2: Sprinkle baking soda on the shoes.

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside your shoes.

Alternatively, get a clean sock, fill it with baking soda, and put it inside your shoe.

Many recommend the sock method to prevent baking soda residue from being left inside the shoes.

Step 3: Let it sit overnight.

Keep the baking soda-filled-sock inside the shoes and place them in a dry and cool spot inside your house overnight.

The amount of time the baking soda stays in the shoes should be enough to absorb the odor.

Step 4: Remove the baking soda.

If you use the sock method, now’s the time to pull it out of the shoes.

On the other hand, if you’ve sprinkled baking soda inside, you have to shake everything out.

Make sure that you remove all the loose baking soda inside the shoes, as it may cause damage to your shoes later on.

Some of the odor, if not all, should be eliminated, and your shoes will smell fresher.

Preventive Measures To Remember

Take note of these care tips so that you don’t have to wash your shoes with soap and water unless necessary.

1. Test the soap first.

Before you wash the shoes thoroughly, try testing the soap you will use on an unobscured spot.

This practice will ensure that the footwear is safe from any damage the soap may cause.

If you see signs of discoloration or other adverse effects, use a different soap or cleaning solution.

2. Reduce exposure to moisture.

We all know what moisture can do to your shoes. It can cause damage, discoloration, and faster dirt accumulation.

Hence, you’ll want to avoid wearing your shoes when it is snowing or raining.

During days like these, wear walking shoes that can handle moisture instead.

Also, keep your shoes somewhere in your house where moisture cannot reach them.

3. Use protective spray.

Keep a suede protector spray handy to help lessen your shoe-cleaning sessions.

Mist your shoes with several layers of spray and follow the product instructions.

This kind of spray helps protect the shoes from damage, debris, and dirt so that you don’t have to wash the footwear as often as necessary.

There are different types of protective sprays depending on the kind of shoes you will use them for.

Do some research to ensure that you buy the correct one for your footwear.

Cleaning Merrell Shoes

As you’ve seen, learning how to clean Merrell walking shoes is not so different from cleaning other types of shoes.

The key is consistency; if you want your shoes to last, make sure you practice proper cleaning techniques regularly.

You can prevent stains and dirt from accumulating if you dust off your Merrells after a day of wearing them outdoors.

Following protective measures, such as using sprays, can also minimize the number of times you need to deep clean your shoes.