Rules and features of washing shoes in a washing machine

Shoes are the wardrobe item that gets the most dirt and requires careful maintenance. This is especially true for sports shoes, because an active lifestyle also implies its more active pollution, simple daily care is no longer enough here.

Is it possible to wash shoes in the washing machine

Basically - yes, you can, but not any. Machine wash allows for much deeper cleaning than hand wash. However, not all shoes, and not even any sports shoes, can be cleaned this way. Leather sneakers can be deformed in an automatic machine, so it is better to simply wipe them with a damp sponge and dry cloth. Suede is not recommended to be washed even by hand, and in order to better preserve the material, you can use special products.

Boots, sneakers and sneakers made of textiles are ideal for machine washing, which have a stitched and non-perforated sole, no rhinestones, rivets and appliqués. Therefore, to the question "Can sneakers be washed in a washing machine?" the answer is yes.

How to wash sneakers in a washing machine

In fact, it is almost always indicated in the operating instructions for washing machines and in the recommendations for shoe care that machine washing is contraindicated for this part of the wardrobe. However, if you follow some recommendations, then the only result that can be obtained is an almost perfectly clean and pleasantly smelling shoes.

Important! When washing sneakers, the automatic machine works louder than usual, so it is better to run it during the daytime.

Preparing shoes for washing

Before you wash your sneakers, you need to make sure they are really washable. To do this, it is worth checking the following:

• Integrity and integrity. If the shoes begin to tear or unstick from time to time, or have decorative protruding elements that can catch on the drum blades during washing, then such cleaning will not only finish off the sneakers, but also ruin the machine;
• The presence of rivets, inserts, appliques, reflectors and more. If any of this is present, the shoes are not suitable for washing;
• Material. Sneakers or sneakers should be fabric, not only glued, but also stitched.

You can also examine the information on the label or on the box. Although there, most likely, there will be a ban on all washing.

Note! If there are a lot of sneakers or sneakers, then before washing they need to be sorted by color. It is also useful to check them for a tendency to shedding, for which it is enough to wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Next, the shoes should be prepared, namely:

1. Remove the laces and insoles from the sneakers. The former can be washed by hand, or thrown into the drum in a special bag (a regular sock will do). This will wash them much better, and will also not damage the drum of the machine with plastic or metal tips. It is best to replace the insoles, as they can deform during washing. You can, however, wipe them with a damp cloth or even wash them by hand - it all depends on their quality and service life.
2. Thoroughly clean the soles of dirt - dirt, stones, twigs and other things. Then rinse your shoes a little under warm water to remove dirt and dust as much as possible.
3. Take out a bag for washing shoes and underwear. If not available, you can use a pillowcase, as well as rags and towels (which are not dyed) for counterweight. This not only contributes to a better wash quality, but also keeps the drum blades intact.

Important! Do not load more than two pairs of shoes into the drum at a time, as this could damage the machine.

Choosing the right mode

Some automatic washing machines have a special program for washing sportswear and shoes. If it is available, then it is better to just use it. If not, then you should select the manual or delicate wash mode. You can also choose the parameters yourself. In this case, it is better to choose:

• short duration;
• temperature 30-40 ° C;
• disabled modes of spinning and drying.

With these settings, it will be possible to both wash and preserve the shoes. Using colder water does not wash away dirt, and hot running shoes can simply unstick. That is why drying is also contraindicated, because it is carried out under the influence of high temperatures, which can provoke deformation. Spinning can damage the machine itself, as increased vibrations negatively affect its bearings.

The powder is used as usual, as for other washings. It is worth pouring it in a little, having dissolved it in water in advance. You can also use a liquid product as it rinses out more easily and does not leave streaks. If the shoes are white, it is recommended to add a little bleach. In the presence of strong local contamination, it is worth applying a chlorine-free stain remover to their places.

Note! The powder must be taken for machine washing, not for hand washing, since the latter foams very strongly.

Drying features

For drying, at least primary, do not use special dryers. They can be effective, but they do not help to maintain the shape of the sneaker. To avoid deformation of the shoe, it is better to put well-crumpled paper inside it (white is better, although newsprint absorbs more intensively, it can give a specific smell). Replace it as it gets wet. It is better to put the sneakers themselves to dry in the sun or on a battery lined with a towel.

What to do after washing

Perhaps the most unpleasant consequence of washing can be shrunken shoes. The reason for this may be the incorrect setting of the temperature regime or the characteristics of the material (natural materials are more susceptible to shrinkage than synthetic ones).

If this does happen, then here are some tips that can return the original size:

1. Soak the sneakers in cold water for 10-15 minutes, and then, squeezing out the water and stretching a little with your hands, put them on the shoes or on your feet until they are completely dry. Yes, the second option is not very pleasant, but it guarantees the preservation of the required size.
2. If the shoes are made of cotton fabric, then they can be treated with a solution of 3% vinegar using a sponge. Then put it on the shoes or legs, or stuff it very tightly with newspapers.
3. Soak the shoes in cold water, and then put them on the shoes or feet and spray them with steam from the steam generator until they dry (you can also use an iron, but this method can hardly be called convenient).

How to hand wash your sneakers

If you want to take care of your shoes as delicately as possible, then hand wash is the best solution. It does not take much time and includes the following steps:

1. Preparation of tools. You will need a container filled with warm (not hot) water, a special sneaker cleaner, a few towels, and a brush. The latter should not be too hard, you can use an old toothbrush.
2. Preparing shoes. As with machine washing, remove the insoles and laces, which are washed separately. The outside of the sneaker is wiped with a soft cloth to remove dust. Inside, they should be covered with a towel to protect the inner layers of the sole from water ingress.
3. The cleaning itself. The brush should be moistened with soapy water and carefully cleaned shoes until satisfactory. After that, the sneakers can be rinsed under water and the towel removed.
4. Drying. Sneakers should not be exposed to heat, so they should be left to dry at room temperature with the tongues up.
5. Prevention. After completely drying the shoes, it makes sense to treat them with a dirt and moisture repellent on the outside and an antibacterial deodorant on the inside.

So, you can and should wash your shoes, and you don't have to do it manually. A competent approach to washing in a machine will ensure a clean and updated pair of shoes.

VIDEO: How to wash sneakers in a washing machine.