Is it possible to wash sneakers in a washing machine?

Sneakers are the most popular shoes in such a fast-paced 21st century! Sneakers are shoes for active, ambitious people, for sports, hiking, or just for every day. Stylish sneakers complement even business and evening suits! Sneakers are fashionable, prestigious, cool, they are produced by the most prestigious and famous brands! And you need to pay attention to their appearance, because they emphasize your style.

As a result of such active use, severe contamination and an unattractive appearance are ensured. And also the smell from sneakers, which regular care will not help eliminate. Only high-quality and proper washing will help. It can clean inside and out and restore your sneakers' attractiveness and freshness. How to do this in the best way and achieve a professional result? Let's take it step by step.

How to prepare sneakers for washing

First, evaluate the quality and wear of your shoes. The quality of the seams, the current condition of the sneakers - are there any damaged areas, holes, unraveling seams, are there any elements that are glued (this often happens on cheap and low-quality shoes). See if the sole is glued and how well it is.
It is important to pay attention to leather or suede inserts, if any - the sneakers cannot be washed and you will have to use dry cleaning services. But most modern sneakers, even well-known companies and brands, are made from synthetic materials that are resistant to washing and wear.Often the manufacturer indicates the preferred options for washing such products, both temperature and drying modes. If this is not the case, we use minimum temperatures, soaking and gentle washing powder.
Before washing, you should unlace your sneakers to prevent the laces from getting stuck or tangled in the washing machine. Remove the insoles (we will wash them separately, also placing them in a bag). Wash and clean the sole from dirt, dust, stones or, for example, chewing gum stuck to the sole. The most effective way is to soak your sneakers in a warm solution of laundry detergent for several hours before washing.
If there are visible and difficult to remove stains on your sneakers, we will treat them with a special stain remover before washing. Often folk remedies are suitable for removing stains: ammonia, lemon juice or baking soda. It all depends on the material of the sneakers, look carefully! First, try the stain remover or other substance on an inconspicuous area to make sure it does not damage or eat away the fabric. But lemon juice can whiten and remove yellowness on fabrics and synthetic materials!

How effective is washing in a washing machine?

You can easily wash and remove minor stains by hand. But if the pollution is more intense or, say, you have several pairs of sneakers and no time at all. A washing machine can easily help you with this.

Modern sports shoes are made of synthetic materials that are resistant to wear and stress. Namely, from a combination of synthetic leather, Phylon, Phylite, mesh, carbon rubber (BRS 1000). These materials are easy to wash.

We have already said that if the sneakers are made of genuine leather or suede, you have a direct path to dry cleaning, otherwise you can simply ruin your shoes, they will become hard and it will be impossible to wear them; only the soles of such shoes are wiped and washed. But in fact, sneakers are washed easily and simply. Most shoe manufacturers write that sneakers cannot be washed. But competent preparation and knowledge of several secrets that we will tell you prove that this is not so. In any case, you must understand that no one can give you a guarantee, but please share your secrets!

The main secrets of washing sneakers

First, use a special bag for washing shoes. The sneakers have hard trim parts that can damage the washing machine drum when rotating, but the bag prevents this. Don't have a special laundry bag? You can add a couple of mats or towels to the wash, which will also soften the vibration during the spin cycle, make washing easier and protect the drum.
Pre-soak your shoes for a couple of hours in soapy water. This will allow heavy contaminants to dissolve.
It is better to wash no more than two pairs of sneakers at a time. This will allow for better washing and rinsing. Pack each pair in a separate laundry bag!
Use gel for washing or liquid laundry detergent. It dissolves better in water, washes better and rinses better! If the sneakers are white or light-colored, you can add a good bleach or laundry detergent enhancer.
Choose a washing temperature of 30 or 40 degrees. Too hot water can cause the sole to peel off or crack.And if you pre-soaked your sneakers, just select the delicate mode and that will be enough.
Set it to double rinse. This will allow you to better rinse and remove any remaining washing powder, and avoid streaks on the fabric and seams.
Turn off the spin mode so that the strong rotation of the centrifuge does not deform the sneakers; simply drain the water after washing. Drain off the main water and get ready to properly dry your sneakers!

Proper drying of sneakers after washing

So, we have clean but wet sneakers. Now it is important to dry them properly so that they do not lose their appearance and shape and dry as quickly as possible.

Let the water drain after washing. Just place on any mesh surface and leave for a couple of hours. The water will drain naturally, be patient.
To maintain their shape, the best option is to stuff your sneakers with soft, moisture-absorbing paper. Use any soft wrapping paper, white or gray. Soft white fabric is also suitable for these purposes. Stuff your shoes, carefully shaping them, avoiding creases and voids inside. The padding should imitate the foot inserted into the shoe and tightly fill the entire space. Important! Do not use paper from newspapers and magazines; printing ink is unstable and can easily stain and ruin already washed shoes.
It is better to dry at room temperature. Avoid proximity to heating devices and direct sunlight. In summer it is better to dry in the shade and in a well-ventilated place.
Treat metal or leather inserts on the product with colorless shoe polish, this will give the sneakers a complete aesthetic look.

Well, that's all the secrets of washing! Your sneakers are ready to continue to please you. You are convinced that washing shoes such as sneakers at home is very accessible and simple. It is important to take your time and properly prepare your shoes for washing. We hope our tips and secrets will help you with this.

Sneakers should not be washed frequently, it is better to do this 2-3 times a year, and after wearing, wipe the sole with a damp cloth, wipe the surface of the shoe itself and use deodorant to eliminate the smell of sweat and kill unwanted bacteria. Then your favorite sports and comfortable shoes will serve you faithfully!