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Lengthen the lifespan of your athletic shoes with these easy cleaning and upkeep tips.

Macy Meyer is a NC native who grew up in Clayton before heading to UNC-Chapel Hill for undergrad. After graduating with majors in English and Journalism, she headed to Charlotte, NC to work for Red Ventures as an Associate SEO Editor for CNET Home.

This story is part of Home Tips , CNET's collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

Working out isn't just hard on your body. It's hard on your shoes, too. Constantly jogging on rough concrete, pavement and hiking trails takes a toll, wearing down the soles of your shoes and reducing traction. The good news is that consistant cleaning and upkeep can help you keep your tennis and running shoes longer. 

Yes, your athletic shoes need regular maintenance. Grime and dirt can easily get caked on the fabric and laces as you do your favorite outdoor workouts and physical activities. And that's not to mention the smells that can accumulate when your shoes get soaked from rain or sweat. Luckily, there's a simple routine you can follow to make your shoes look (almost) brand new. (For more tips on how to clean your fitness equipment and accessories, check out our guide on the best way to clean a yoga mat .) 

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Cleaning your workout shoes should only take about 30 minutes and only requires a few supplies that you probably have lying around your home already. 

Before you get started with cleaning, examine your shoes to see if they're past the point of help. If your shoes are starting to come apart or you find cracks in the soles, you're probably just due for a new pair of shoes. Here's some recommendations of the best shoes of the year for every workout type:

The following routine is best for standard fabric running shoes made out of nylon mesh, cotton, knit polyester and rubber.

Using an old toothbrush or other soft bristle brush, gently scrub away excess dirt, grass, mud and other particles. Make sure you scrub all sides and the outsole well. 

Start by removing the laces and insoles from the shoe and set aside. Use the toothbrush to gently remove any additional excess dirt. Create a gentle cleaning solution of water with a few drops of detergent or dish soap. Next, use the toothbrush or old wash cloth to wipe down shoes on all sides. Rinse thoroughly with warm, clean water. 

Remove the insole and laces to give each part of your shoe a good scrub down. 

Your insoles likely absorb the most amount of sweat, which means they probably smell the worst and require a deeper clean than your uppers. One option is to place your shoe laces and insoles in a mesh bag and machine wash on a gentle cycle. This ensures a deep clean and a fresh smell. 

But, if you'd rather hand-wash, you can use the water and detergent solution mentioned above, or you could use a 1:1 ratio mixture of vinegar and water. No matter what cleaning solution you use, scrub the insoles well and rinse with clean water.

This is the easiest but most time-consuming part of the cleaning process. You should allow your shoes to completely air dry before reinserting the soles and laces and wearing them again. For quickest results, place your shoes inside, in a low-humidity room and places balled up paper towels inside each shoe (change the paper if it soaks up too much water). 

You can even place your shoes in front of a fan for faster drying, but refrain from putting your shoes in the dryer or near a heat source since heat distorts the shape of your shoe, can weaken the adhesive attaching the fabric to the outsole and can even lead to yellow staining. 

Cotton, nylon and polyester shoes are normally safe in the washing machine.

While it's usually best practice to hand-wash shoes, some shoes are safe in the washing machine. To check, find the care label usually located on the underside of the tongue. There, it should tell you if you can machine-wash or not. 

Cotton, nylon and polyester shoes are normally safe in the machine, but if you're unsure, definitely err on the side of caution and opt to hand-wash. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.