Updated
Choose a golf shoe cleaning kit after identifying the materials in your shoes and reading their care instructions. A cleaner, brush and cloth are useful only when they suit those materials; a kit name is not proof of compatibility. ECCO Foam Cleaner is one specific product to investigate, while FootJoy’s care guidance provides a useful example of why drying and gentle cleaning matter alongside the bottle you buy.
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Guide checked: 8 September 2026. This guide compares the linked manufacturer and retailer information. We have not carried out hands-on product testing. Check the exact specification and current offer before buying.
| Component | Purpose | Compatibility check |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable cleaner | Remove dirt from the stated materials | Read exclusions and the shoe maker’s guidance |
| Soft brush or cloth | Lift or wipe away appropriate dirt | Avoid abrasive tools on delicate finishes |
| Drying arrangement | Let the shoe dry after cleaning | Follow the maker’s heat and insole instructions |
| Separate outsole tool | Clear debris from suitable sole areas | Do not transfer grit onto the upper |
Table of Contents
ECCO Foam Cleaner: read the exclusions as well as the list
ECCO states that its Foam Cleaner is suitable for suede, nubuck, leather and textiles, with an exclusion for hand-finished calf crusts. The page also calls for an inconspicuous-area test. Match that guidance to the actual upper and lining rather than applying the word leather to every finish indiscriminately.
The product is a cleaner, not proof that a worn waterproof shoe can be repaired by washing it. Check any membrane and finish guidance supplied with your footwear, and follow the cleaner’s application instructions. If the shoe combines several panels, confirm the treatment suits each area it will touch.
Identify the shoe before choosing the bottle
Find the full model name and the maker’s care page or label. Look for differences between smooth leather, suede-like finishes, textiles and synthetic panels. Decorative trims, coatings and printed areas may need separate attention. A shoe can contain more than one material, so the most visible panel is not necessarily the only relevant one.
If the materials are unclear, ask the manufacturer or retailer before using a strong product. Do not use furniture polish, household bleach or a generic solvent because it cleaned a different item successfully. A care product should solve an identified cleaning need rather than introduce an untested treatment to the entire shoe.
Separate the upper from the dirty sole
Remove loose debris with an appropriate tool before rubbing the upper. Keep the cloth used on muddy outsole areas separate from the one used on the finish. Grit carried between them can turn a cleaning routine into an abrasive one. Work where the dirt and water can be dealt with appropriately, rather than washing the shoes while they remain inside the bag.
For replaceable cleats, use the correct fitting system and tool if removal is needed. Cleaning is not a reason to overtighten or force a damaged fitting. If the outsole has moulded traction elements, do not attempt to unscrew them. Inspect the shoe’s actual construction before following a general kit demonstration.
Start with the maker’s simplest suitable method
FootJoy’s shoe-care guidance describes mild soap and water for suitable leather and synthetic shoes and recommends drying at room temperature away from external heat. That is guidance for the materials and methods it covers, not permission to put every golf shoe through the same wash cycle. Check your model’s instructions before using a machine, soaking the pair or adding another treatment.
Apply the selected cleaner as directed and test it discreetly first where required. Use the quantity and tool specified rather than assuming more foam means more effective cleaning. If colour transfers or the finish changes, stop and seek the appropriate advice before treating the remaining area.
Drying needs space and time
Open the shoe as instructed so moisture can escape. Remove laces or removable insoles where the maker allows it, but do not pull out glued parts. Avoid direct heat sources such as a radiator or hairdryer when the care instructions prohibit them. A fast drying attempt can be a poor substitute for planning enough time between rounds.
Dry the storage bag too. Returning clean shoes to a damp enclosed compartment undermines the routine and may leave the next pair of socks damp before play. If you use shoe trees or absorbent paper, follow the footwear maker’s guidance and do not force a shape into the shoe merely because it is sold as a universal accessory.
A cleaning kit is not automatically a reproofing kit
Cleaning, conditioning and renewing a surface treatment are different tasks. Read which one a product is intended to perform. A cleaner may remove dirt without adding water repellency; a spray may require a clean, dry surface and may be unsuitable for some finishes. Do not layer products simply because they appear together in a shop’s suggested bundle.
If the shoes leak, inspect the pattern of wetness and the condition of seams and openings. Check applicable warranty terms before attempting repairs. A care purchase should not be represented as fixing a structural fault or extending a guarantee that the maker has not offered.
Buy only the tools you need
Compare the kit contents with what you already own: a suitable soft cloth, an appropriate brush and a drying place may cover much of the routine. A large case with several bottles is not automatically better value. Choose the missing compatible item, keep its instructions and make cleaning after play easy enough to repeat.
Check our waterproof golf shoe guide for warranty questions and spiked versus spikeless guide for outsole maintenance differences.
Sources and product information
Choose care products for the exact upper
Read the shoe manufacturer’s care instructions and the cleaner’s material compatibility before buying a kit. Use a small inconspicuous test area where instructed. Check removable-spike instructions separately and let shoes dry as directed before storage.