Fashion is very changeable and capricious. What was fashionable yesterday is no longer relevant today and is hidden on the mezzanine in a closet. But there are things that are out of fashion and timeless. Such exceptional things include sneakers. Having appeared more than 100 years ago, they are becoming more and more in demand not only among young people, but also popular among the older generation.
This is explained by their versatility, practicality and ease of care. So, is it possible to wash sneakers and how to do it correctly?
We remove dust and dirt
Sneakers are classified as sports shoes, and they are also great for outdoor activities. Consequently, they will get dirty very well. At the same time, it will not be possible to avoid stains such as traces of sweat, grass, rust and other debris.
To begin washing directly, the sneakers must first be cleaned of any remaining dust and pieces of dirt. To do this, you need to remove the laces and insoles, which will then need to be washed separately. Then take a brush and thoroughly clean the sole. If the tread has a complex pattern with many holes and holes, you can use an old toothbrush. Its bristles can easily handle the most difficult to reach places. After this, we clean the surface of the shoes. But you don’t need to rub very hard, otherwise all the dust and dirt will be absorbed into the fabric, and then it will be difficult to wash it.
When the surface and sole are cleaned, you can proceed to the next step. If there are visible stains on the shoes, they must be removed before washing.To do this, you can use a stain remover by applying it directly to the stain. If the color of the fabric from which the sneakers are made is dark, bright or has a pattern, then before applying special anti-stain products, you should try applying it on the inside of the shoe or in an inconspicuous place. If exposure to the product causes discoloration of the fabric, then it is better to discard it, as the shoes will deteriorate.
In this case, you can try cleaning the stains with baking soda and vinegar. To do this, mix them in equal parts to prepare a solution. Apply the resulting mixture to the stain, leave for about 20 minutes, and then wash.
Sometimes the uppers of athletic shoes are not very dirty and do not require washing. At the same time, there are black spots on the side of the sole and on the rubber toe that spoil its appearance. They can be cleaned with toothpaste. Apply a little paste to an old toothbrush and rub the stains, then wash the soles. You just need to do this carefully so as not to get it on the fabric surface, otherwise the sneakers will have to be washed completely.
Let's start hand washing
After dry cleaning, you can start washing. To do this, pour warm water into a basin or bucket. After this, depending on the color of the shoes, you need to dissolve the powder. If you wash bright or patterned sneakers, it is better to use liquid powder for colored or dark fabrics so that there are no streaks or white spots left on the shoes.
When the powder has dissolved in water, the sneakers should be soaked. The soaking period depends on the degree of contamination. If the shoes are not very dirty, half an hour will be enough.After the sneakers have been in the water, they should be rubbed with a sponge or a soft brush and all dirt should be removed.
After washing, the shoes should be rinsed thoroughly so that no traces of powder remain. We do this in running water until foam stops appearing.
To drain excess water, leave the sneakers in the sink or basin in an inclined position, and then send them out to dry. Like most shoes, they should not be dried in the sun or near a radiator, as this can lead to streaks or yellow spots. It is better to dry your sneakers in a dark, well-ventilated room or in the fresh air.
To dry your shoes faster and protect them from deformation, you need to stuff them well with paper. In the case of sneakers, you can only use white paper products; newspapers should be excluded, since they will leave traces of printing ink on the fabric.
How far has the progress come?
Technical progress does not stand still and accelerates. This also applies to household appliances. Many modern washing machines have a program for washing sports shoes. If you are the happy owner of such a miracle washing machine, then you can skip this point.
Let's imagine that we have an ordinary machine with a basic set of functions. How can you wash sneakers in it? This is not particularly difficult. You should select a gentle wash program, water temperature no higher than 40 degrees, add or add detergent, and go ahead! The choice of this washing mode is explained by the fact that it does not involve spinning, and the investigator, when shaking heavy sneakers, will not damage the glass and drum.
But before this, you should remove the laces and insoles from the shoes; they are washed by hand separately.The sneakers themselves should be placed in a special bag for washing, then they will rattle less. If there are decorations, metal rivets, rhinestones and other similar small things on the surface of the shoes, it is better to wash the sneakers by hand. All these delights can fall off during washing and ruin the drum of the washing machine. Cheap options made from thin textiles are also best washed by hand, otherwise they will simply fall apart or tear.
After washing, the sneakers should also get rid of excess water, so we send them to stand in the basin for a while. Well, then we dry them as after hand washing.
When washing shoes in a washing machine, you can use a little trick. Sneakers can be washed with other linen, such as a bulky towel or bedspread, then there is less chance of damage to them, and to the machine itself.
Washing white sneakers
Nowadays, white sneakers are at the peak of fashion, especially American CONVERSE. This is not surprising, since they look great with different clothes and will suit any look. But they also get very dirty and quickly break down, so they need to be washed often. In addition, yellow stains from sweat may remain on them, which does not look very aesthetically pleasing.
Before washing, white Converse must be cleaned and prepared like regular sneakers. If this is an original model, then they are strong and will withstand washing in a washing machine well. It is better to wash Chinese fakes by hand, but it is also better to take care of the real ones and wash them by hand.
For white shoes, you can use washing powders suitable for washing both white and colored clothes. Bleach and stain removers are also suitable for removing stains from them.But under no circumstances should you use products containing bleach, since they may leave yellow stains that can no longer be removed, and the shoes themselves can be thrown away. Gasoline or kerosene are also not suitable for cleaning them, as they will leave behind oil stains.
To clean white Converse, a solution of lemon juice and baking soda can be useful, which is applied to the dirty area. You can also try removing the stain or removing yellow stains with hydrogen peroxide. To do this, moisten a cotton pad or a piece of rag and rub the stains, and then rinse with water. As a last resort, you can use acetone or solvent, but first test them in an inconspicuous place.
If all else fails and your sneakers don’t turn snow-white, then there is another way. You can prepare a “hellish” mixture of vinegar, peroxide, lemon juice and a spoon of washing powder. Mix all ingredients until creamy and apply to the surface for 15 minutes, after which rinse the sneakers well.
Sneakers, of course, are beautiful, fashionable and comfortable shoes, but wearing them for too long and is often not recommended, as this can lead to flat feet. Also, do not wear them in rain and slushy weather. By following the rules of care and wear, you can preserve your sneakers and use them for more than one season!
