How to wash sneakers in the washing machine?

Before putting your shoes in the washing machine without thinking much, it is important that we ask ourselves if washing sneakers in the washing machine is the most advisable thing to do. The truth is can damage or wear them out over time, so it is not the safest method to clean them. In fact, manufacturers like Nike and Adidas suggest avoiding it.

Many sneakers have different textures and colors, some are made of materials such as leather or suede. Therefore, the large amount of water received in the washing machine can be harmful to this type of materials and it is best to wash them by hand.

However, if they are already worn or have a stain that is very difficult to remove, you can use this method from time to time. Here we will teach you the best way to wash sneakers in the washing machine.

Sports shoes are a type of footwear that can suffer a lot in a washing machine: the soles can come off, the surface of the footwear can be damaged and they can even become deformed. That is why it is important to follow a series of precautions to maximize the life of your shoes:

1. Remove the laces: Removing the laces is the first thing you will always have to do. Do not put them loose in the washing machine, as they could clog the drain. It is best to tie them so that they stay together and put them inside a bag for delicates, as this way they will not get lost.
2. Extract the templates: If possible, remove the insoles from your shoes. They can be undone in the washing machine, so it is more convenient to wash them by hand.
3. Removes surface dirt: Before putting them in the washing machine, remove as much dirt as possible, especially that which remains stuck to the die-cuts on the sole. Between the patterns on the sole there are usually gaps in which traces of dirt, sand, mud and other sticky substances such as food remains or chewing gum usually remain. Try to remove all these remains with the help of a brush. Any brush for personal use that we have at home can work, such as an old toothbrush or one for nails. Scrub the dirt with soap and water, and if the shoe is white, you can use a little bleach.
4. Don’t target them without protection: We recommend that you do not put the shoes directly into the washing machine drum, as it is better to wash them in a cloth or mesh bag. Some brand-name sneakers already come with their bag, but if you don’t have a special one, you can use any delicates bag.
5. Tips for the washing machine: We recommend that you always wash them alone, that is, do not mix them with other clothes. Use a short program and, when choosing the temperature to wash the sneakers, always select cold water. Do not wash them with warm or hot water. Choose not to spin, as this will reduce the risk of the shoes getting damaged.

When the washing machine is finished, you will have to put the sneakers to dry in a ventilated place, but never directly in the sun or near any heating device (stoves, air conditioners, hair dryers, etc.) And, above all, never put them in the dryer.

White sneakers like Chat, Adidas, or any other brand, have a reputation for getting dirty the same day we use them for the first time. Over time, they accumulate so much dirt that they can appear to be a different color. Is there any way to return them to their original whiteness? There is a little trick you can use that only requires baking soda and talcum powder. Follow these steps and discover how to wash white sneakers in the washing machine so that they are like new.

1. In a container, mix one and a half parts detergent to one part baking soda. Stir until both substances are mixed well.
2. Dampen the shoes with a spray bottle or a damp cloth. They should not be too wet.
3. Using a small brush, take the detergent and baking soda mixture and scrub the shoes with it. Let the mixture take effect for a few minutes.
4. Rinse your sneakers and sprinkle talcum powder on them to absorb moisture.
5. Put them in the washing machine as we indicated in the previous steps, but do not use soap. Use only the water from the cycle. You will see that they look like new!

Cloth sneakers get dirtier than leather sneakers because they soak up any liquid and the stains are more visible, especially if they are white. If, for example, you wear leggings on a rainy day, it is very likely that you will have to wash them when you get home. You must do it as follows:

1. Remove the laces and insoles.
2. Before putting them in the washing machine, you will have to immerse them in cold water with soap (if they are very dirty you can use warm water) and scrub them with a brush until you see the stains disappear. If they are difficult stains, you can help yourself with a mixture of baking soda, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide and rub again with more energy. If the shoe is white you can also use some bleach, as it is very effective for both the fabric and the soles. On the other hand, if the shoe is colored, the bleach will eat away the color as soon as it touches it, so avoid using it.
3. Next, wash the sneakers in the washing machine with the precautions that we have informed you about previously.
4. Follow the same guidelines for taking out, but, in addition, fill the interior so that they do not deform when drying. You can put a cloth or a small towel.

You may also find this other article of great help on How to keep my shoes white.

He suede or suede It is a delicate material that can be easily damaged by humidity, so we do not recommend washing them in the washing machine at all, as they may lose their color or the fabric may be damaged. The same applies if you are wondering if you can wash leather sneakers in the washing machine. For these cases, you can use a brush and wash them by hand.

Visit our articles How to clean suede shoes and How to wash synthetic leather sneakers if any of your shoes have this type of materials.

If what you want is to wash leather sneakers in the washing machine because they look dirty or especially dull, you must follow the step by step that we have indicated in the previous section.

If your shoes have a specific stain, we at FoxWiki recommend that you first try to remove it by hand, otherwise it could spread during machine washing. There are many home tricks to remove skin stains that can help you:

• Dark spots on white: Coffee or wine stains are sprinkled with talcum powder and left overnight to absorb as much as possible. The next day, you will only have to dry brush the garment. You can also carry out this method with baking soda as we tell you in this article about How to use baking soda for stains.
• Stubborn stains: In case it is a stubborn stain, you can try rubbing gently with a mixture of vinegar and water. Let your item of clothing or shoes air dry and then you can put it in the washing machine. We explain it to you in more detail in this article on How to wash clothes with vinegar.

To wash slippers we will use the same methods as to wash fabric slippers, including prior rubbing if there are stains that are difficult to remove.

We remind you of the importance of never use hot water, otherwise your shoes could shrink. The last thing you should keep in mind when washing slippers in the washing machine is that you should always treat them as if they were delicate garments, otherwise they would become deformed inside the machine and could break.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to wash sneakers in the washing machine we recommend that you enter our Home Cleaning category.