$180 for practice every month, $250 for uniforms, $65 for warm ups, $75 a competition, and so on and so on.

If you have a child in a competitive sport you know how costs can add up. It’s no different for my daughter with competitive cheer and these are just a few of the costs. If you’re like me you may look for some ways to save when you can. One way I did this year was by buying some used cheer shoes instead of ordering a brand new pair. A new pair costs $100 and I scored some off a mom who’s daughter outgrew hers.

My daughter uses these for practice. We were planning on using them for competition too but they needed a little freshening up to be ready. She just had her first competition (she’d been counting down for more than a month). So I decided I’d better take a stab at getting them clean.

I did some research and asked around on favorite methods for cleaning cheer shoes and I read some pretty interesting ones. Here are three that are worth giving a try.

Put them in the dishwasher

I know. It sounds weird but I’ve seen this hack in multiple places and even my husband suggested it. He washed one of his hats on the top rack and loves this technique. Just make sure you don’t have the heat setting on to avoid the shoes shrinking in the wash.

Wash them with Clorox®  Regular Bleach2 with CloroMax™ Technology

This time around I used this route. You’ll hear mixed reviews about throwing cheer shoes in the washing machine but several of the ladies at our gym gave me the go-ahead so I went for it. I didn’t even take the laces out cause I figured they could use a bit of washing too. Some opt to put the shoes in a pillowcase first. I loaded mine into the small top washer on a delicate cycle on my machine.  Then I used some of the Clorox® Regular Bleach2 with CloroMax™ Technology as directed (you’ll want to make sure you use the right water to bleach ratio), tossed in a white towel and crossed my fingers.

I was thrilled when they came out brighter. The new Clorox® Regular Bleach2 with CloroMax™ Technology is replacing Clorox® Regular-Bleach₁ in most stores this fall. New Clorox® Regular Bleach2 with CloroMax™ Technology has the same whitening, dirt-fighting and disinfecting power you love and trust, plus it protects surfaces† and keeps clothes whiter longer* for a powerful, protecting and easier clean.

Just make sure you’re only putting them in the washer then letting them air dry so you don’t risk your shoes shrinking.

Hand wash

Another common technique for washing cheer shoes is doing it the old fashioned way with a warm wet cloth and good ol’ elbow grease. Dilute Clorox® Regular Bleach2 with CloroMax™ in a bowl as directed and use a washcloth or dip an old toothbrush in the solution for scrubbing.With a brand new pair of shoes I’d opt to go this route for a gentle clean. With an older pair of hand-me-downs I’m cool with the toss and go, deeper clean options.

Our shoes came out cleaner, brighter, and disinfected. I can’t wait to see her sparkling from head to toe on stage in just a couple of weeks!

Big thanks to Clorox for teaming up with me and sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. 
†by reducing soil adhesion
*vs. Clorox® Regular-Bleach₁
When using Clorox® Regular Bleach2 with CloroMax™ in your wash directions say to fill bleach to max line in dispenser or add ½ cup Clorox® Performance Bleach1 with CLOROMAX™ to wash water. Read more here.

Tags: ad, cheerleading, clorox