Cleaning Your Bowling Shoes With a Wire Brush

Keep the Soles Healthy and Maintain Your Slide

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by Jef Goodger
Jef Goodger is a bowling enthusiast who works as a writer, commentator, and producer for Xtra Frames, the Professional Bowlers Association streaming service. His writings feature on various websites, such as Pinterest.
Updated July 24, 2017

As with any type of shoe, bowling shoes wear with use over time. With all the pressure you put on your slide foot every time you bowl, the sole will flatten, giving you more friction and making it more difficult to slide at the foul line. At best, this is a moderate inconvenience. At worst, you'll stick on the approach and find yourself face-first on the lane, covered in oil.

How to Clean Bowling Shoes with a Wire Brush

To combat this issue, simply take a wire brush and scrape the sole of your shoe. You're trying to add some life back into the material. Don't scrape too aggressively, as all you are looking to do is take away some of the friction. Once the material is visibly fluffier than before, you're ready to bowl again.

What If You Don't Have a Wire Brush?

If you don't have a wire brush, you can alternatively use any semi-abrasive item (some bowlers even use their fingernails) to add some vibrance back to the shoe.

When the shoes get too bad and unsalvageable, it's probably time for replacement soles or new shoes.