NowIKnowEditorial

Home & life

How to clean muddy walking shoes after a countryside footpath

Knock off dried mud, brush seams, wipe uppers, clean outsoles, freshen insoles, and air‑dry so your shoes are ready for the next path. Photos show the order and which brushes or cloths to use.

12 clear steps·Illustrated guide
Hands brushing dried mud off walking shoes on a doormat with a cloth and bucket nearby.
  1. 01

    Set up and let the mud dry

    Place the muddy shoes on a mat or newspaper in a ventilated spot. If the mud is wet, allow it to dry fully so it crumbles off easily. Gather a soft brush, a stiff brush, an old toothbrush, microfiber cloths, and a small bowl of warm water with a drop of mild soap.

    Muddy walking shoes on a mat with brushes, cloths, and a small bowl of soapy water ready for cleaning.
  2. 02

    Remove laces and insoles

    Take out the laces and pull out the insoles. This exposes seams and helps everything dry faster. Shake or brush off any loose grit from the insoles and set them aside.

    Hands removing laces and an insole from a walking shoe before cleaning.
  3. 03

    Knock off loose, dried mud outdoors

    Carry the shoes outside and clap the soles together over a bin or bare ground to shed big chunks. Tap the heel and toe areas with your hand to release more debris.

    Hands clapping shoe soles together outside to shake off dried mud.
  4. 04

    Brush seams, stitching, and eyelets

    Use an old toothbrush to work along stitching lines, around eyelets, the tongue gusset, and where the upper meets the sole. Short, firm strokes will dislodge packed dirt without scratching.

    Old toothbrush brushing mud from seams and eyelets on a walking shoe.
  5. 05

    Dust off the uppers

    With a soft‑bristled shoe brush, sweep the entire upper—sides, toe box, tongue, and collar—to lift remaining dust and fine mud. Use light pressure, especially on fabric or delicate finishes.

    Soft brush removing fine dirt from the upper of a walking shoe.
  6. 06

    Wipe uppers with a damp cloth

    Dip a microfiber cloth in warm, mildly soapy water and wring it until just damp. Wipe the uppers in sections, including the tongue and collar. Avoid soaking the material or letting water pool inside the shoe.

    Hand wiping a shoe upper with a damp microfiber cloth.
  7. 07

    Clean the outsoles and tread

    Use the stiff brush to scrub the soles and tread, loosening packed soil from grooves. For stubborn bits, pry gently with the brush edge or a small stick, then give the soles a final scrub.

    Stiff brush scrubbing mud from the tread of a walking shoe.
  8. 08

    Rinse cloth and remove any soap residue

    Rinse the microfiber cloth in clean water, wring it well, and wipe the uppers and soles again to lift any leftover soap and fine grime. Swap to a clean section of cloth as it becomes soiled.

    Wringing a cloth and wiping a shoe to remove soap residue.
  9. 09

    Clean laces and insoles

    Swish the laces in the soapy bowl, rub them between your fingers to remove dirt, then rinse and squeeze out water. Wipe both sides of the insoles with a damp, soapy cloth, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove soap.

    Cleaning laces in soapy water and wiping an insole with a cloth.
  10. 10

    Pat dry and reshape

    Pat the shoes, insoles, and laces with a dry cloth. Stuff each shoe with loosely scrunched paper to help absorb moisture and hold the shape, especially around the toe and sides.

    Stuffing paper into shoes to help them dry and keep their shape.
  11. 11

    Air‑dry away from direct heat

    Place shoes, insoles, and laces in a warm, airy spot out of direct sunlight and away from heaters. Let everything dry completely before putting the shoes back together.

    Shoes, insoles, and laces air‑drying by an open window away from heat.
  12. 12

    Reassemble and finish

    Remove the paper, reinsert the dry insoles, and relace the shoes. Give the uppers a quick pass with the soft brush to lift the nap or smooth the finish so they’re ready for your next walk.

    Relacing a clean walking shoe and giving the upper a final light brush.

If this was useful

Try one of these next

A standing penguin drawing with pale blue teardrop guides visible under a clean dark outline.

Hobbies & crafts

How to draw a standing penguin using teardrop shapes

Start with a tall teardrop for the body and small ovals for the head and feet. Add a simple beak and flippers with more teardrops, map the tuxedo belly, then refine the outline. Erase the guides and finish with light shading for roundness. Each step’s image overlays pale guide shapes and the darker final lines so you can see what to keep.

Read the guide