How to wash sneakers by hand and in a machine

The shoes of an active person or athlete require special care. During a workout or walk, sneakers are exposed to contamination both outside and inside, which means they require thorough cleaning. Is it possible to wash sneakers and how to do it correctly so as not to spoil the shoes?

Which sneakers can be washed and which cannot?

It is recommended to clean any sneakers with a brush or wipe with a damp cloth, and this should be done daily. This will keep your shoes looking neat longer. But is it possible to put dirty shoes in the drum of a washing machine? It all depends on the material from which the shoes are made. Fabric sneakers can withstand washing an infinite number of times. Just keep in mind that they may fade, so sort items by color.

The following types of sports shoes cannot be cleaned by washing:

Products made from genuine leather are prohibited from washing.
Suede sneakers should never be exposed to water for long periods of time. After washing in the machine, they may become unsuitable for further wear. If you decide to wash them this way, make sure that all the seams are strong and there is no damage. Choose the shortest mode, water temperature - 30 degrees.
Leatherette will also not accept machine wash.
An obstacle to washing is the rubber or foam sole. It may simply fly apart or come off.
Sticking threads or foam rubber are a sign that the shoes will not withstand machine washing.
If the boots have decorative elements, then if they come into contact with water, they may peel off, tear off, or become rusty. Another negative consequence is that wet metal parts can leave an unsightly rust mark on the fabric of the sneakers.
If the shoes are not of good quality, then the glue will quickly lose its strength when wet.
And lastly, if the shoes already have any damage, washing them in the machine will only make it worse.

Selecting a detergent

For hand washing, choose liquid gel concentrates with a safe composition. This way you will protect your shoes from stains. It is recommended to protect your hands with gloves to avoid an allergic reaction. Dry powder granules are less soluble in water and are poorly washed out of fabric fibers, forming stains or smudges, and sometimes irritation of the skin of the feet.

The product in the automatic machine is suitable both dry and liquid. It is permissible to place a special capsule with washing gel directly into the drum. It dissolves well in water in the first minutes of the cycle and forms a sufficient amount of foam. Often such gels are used without conditioner, since they serve as both a powder and a softening and aromatic additive. Another advantage of using capsules is extending the shelf life of the automatic machine.

Each material has its own characteristics, so consider the manufacturer’s recommendations for shoe care. Usually the instructions are given on the box in which the product was sold. In some stores, a paper instruction manual is attached to the shoes.

Washing machine

If your sneakers are machine washable, you will need:

a special mesh bag (or chintz pillowcase);
detergent;
air conditioning (optional).

Before washing your sneakers, you need to prepare them:

First, wash your sneakers by hand: thoroughly shake off all the sand, wipe the dirt off the sole with a damp cloth. This will make the machine’s task easier, and small debris will not clog the filters, which would negatively affect the operation of the equipment in the future. It is convenient to clean sand and pebbles stuck in the sole profile with a toothbrush or knitting needle under running water.
Another step to take before tumble washing is to soak your sneakers in water for a few minutes.
All that remains is to remove the insoles and remove the laces. They are washed separately. The laces are easy to wash by hand; if necessary, soak them in detergent. The insoles are the part of the sneaker that is most susceptible to the negative effects of sweat. Special attention should be paid to cleaning insoles. Use a brush and a gentle detergent. If the insoles are orthopedic, follow the instructions to avoid damaging the material.

How to wash sneakers in an automatic machine? Place the shoes in a mesh bag and place them in the drum. You should choose gentle washing modes with a gentle spin (or remove the spin altogether so that the sneakers do not become deformed). Some devices have special programs for sports shoes. The water temperature for washing and rinsing should not exceed 40 degrees (30 for suede), otherwise the shoes will fade or come apart. The magazine purity-en.htgetrid.com recommends not placing more than two pairs of adult sports shoes in the machine, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the glass of the machine.

If you don't have a special laundry bag, an old pillowcase will do. An alternative method is to place a few old towels with your shoes. This will reduce the number of times your shoes hit the glass.

Wash by hand

Sneakers made from delicate fabrics, as well as products whose quality is questionable, are washed by hand.

Washing rules are the same as in a washing machine:

water temperature - no higher than 40 degrees;
detergent - preferably gel;
do not leave sneakers in water for a long time, especially those that are glued and not stitched;
There is no need to twist the shoes when spinning.

While washing in the basin, help yourself with a soft brush and replace the water if necessary. The choice of detergent should take into account the type and color of the material. So, soap shavings are suitable for white products, and a special gel is suitable for colored ones.

How to dry properly

Some sneakers can be dried near heating appliances. If the boots are placed directly on the battery, it is recommended to place a cloth or towel under them so that the adhesive layer does not melt. Still, most materials are dried at room temperature and away from heating systems. It is also better not to use a hairdryer: it can cause your shoes to crack. In summer, in clear weather, it is better to dry sports shoes outdoors in the shade. But it’s better not to dry them in a machine: under the influence of high temperatures the shoes will be damaged.

To return the sneakers to their original shape, stuff them with paper or cotton fabric. Although newspapers absorb moisture, they can leave a mark on the inside of the shoe. There are special shoe dryers. For example, ultraviolet - this not only quickly dries sneakers, but also disinfects and deodorizes their inner surface.

The insoles are inserted into the shoes after they are completely dry. The same goes for laces.

Sole bleaching

There is no better detergent for doing laundry at home than laundry soap.It is safe, whitens perfectly, and is inexpensive. Often sports shoes have white soles that turn gray over time.

You can return it to whiteness in the following way:

Wet an old toothbrush with warm water and rub well with laundry soap.
Brush the sole for 10-15 minutes. From time to time you will have to rinse off the remaining dirt and apply a new layer of soap to the brush.
In the same way, you can return the whiteness not only to the sole, but to all sneakers.

Whiten your white sneakers by soaking them in a bleach solution for 30 minutes. The product must not contain chlorine. There are good oxygen bleaches on the market.

Machine washing is a test of the durability of your shoes. The more often you brush off dust and dirt after walking, the less often you will have to use the device. Before loading into the machine, check the boots for damage. Remember that only high-quality shoes can withstand machine washing.