How To Clean Bowling Shoes Slide Strip For A Smooth Roll

Bowling shoes are key to success. Proper bowling shoes can mean the difference between strikes and spares all night.

There are numerous factors to consider when selecting an excellent pair of bowling shoes, but the most ignored aspect is the slide strip on the bottom. It’s there for a reason, and if you don’t take care of it, it can have an effect on your game.

Do you know how it feels when you return home from a night of bowling and discover that your slide strip is completely filthy? It’s not just irritating, but potentially dangerous to your health.

I hope that this post has provided you with some insight into how to clean bowling shoes’ slide strips and the best method for doing so.

How To Clean Bowling Shoes Slide Strip? – Step By Step

When I began bowling, slide strips were available in two varieties:

• Leather
• Leather-look plastic.

Leather shoes may be cleaned by inserting a toothpick into the strap holes to remove dirt and debris. The other version was easy to clean but necessitated extra caution to avoid discolouration.

While saddle soap can be used to clean leather shoes, not all leather-like polymers can withstand that kind of scouring.

Note: To finish the process, your shoe care kit should include a leather cleaner, saddle soap (for plastic), brush, and soft cloths.

• Step 1

Unlace and take the shoe off your foot. The sole of the shoe should face upward to facilitate washing.

• Step 2

Wipe away the filth with a soft cloth–preferably one that has been slightly wet with water. If you like, you can also use leather cleaner to clean your shoes. Additionally, a firm brush can be used to remove debris that has accumulated between the shoe’s lug area, between the sole and heel, and in small areas of stitching.

• Step 3

Use saddle soap to clean plastic components. Apply a tiny amount of saddle soap straight to the area that requires cleaning or dampen a delicate cloth and wipe the plastic with it. Avoid putting saddle soap directly to leather or vinyl footwear. Cleaning these fabrics with saddle soap may result in discolouration that may remain after they dry.

• Step 4

Clean your shoes with a wet cloth.

• Step 5

Allow for natural drying of your shoes. If the soles of your shoes are leather or vinyl, you can speed up the drying process by using a hairdryer.

• Step 6

Replace the laces in the shoes and re-tie them to complete the operation.

When To Clean Your Slide Strip?

Every time you clean your Bowling shoes, look for dirt buildup. Cleaning them once a week is sufficient if they are not filthy.

If you bowl frequently, everyday cleaning will keep your slide strip cleaner and prevent lasting staining or hardening.

5 Ways to Make Bowling Shoes Slide Better

1. Firstly, wipe and smooth your shoe bottoms. No pebbles should be attached to them as this will hinder the bowling ball’s smooth passage.

2. Secondly, add wax to the soles of your shoes and buff them with a cloth or towel until they shine.

3. Thirdly, look for excess fabric around your ankles that may be inhibiting appropriate sliding. You can use a seam ripper to remove the stitches and then sew them back together.

4. Fourthly, your shoes should fit properly and not slide about as you bowl. You can use a spoon or a razor to scrape off any seams that have opened up from repeated use.

5. Fifthly, check your shoes’ bottoms for rubber build-up from sliding. If so, scrape it off with sandpaper so they slide smoothly through the lane instead of accumulating residue that could cause ball friction.

Final Thought

I explained How To Clean Bowling Shoe Slide Strips and how to improve bowling shoe slides in this article. If you follow the recommendations provided, you will have a smoother sliding surface, which will benefit your game.