Is it possible to wash shoes in a washing machine and how to do it correctly

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Published: 06/09/2021

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Untidy shoes can ruin any look, even the most luxurious one. But ideally clean is the opposite. But how can this be achieved? With mild contamination it is clear what to do. Wipe with a damp cloth and use a soft brush. What about grass marks, greasy stains, salt stains? All that remains is to wash the shoes in the washing machine. But you can’t send any pair into the drum. In order for the result to be high-quality and safe, you need to know many nuances.

• 1 How to determine whether a pair is washable
• 2 Preparatory process
• 3 Washing winter shoes
• 4 Cleaning sports shoes in a machine
• 5 What to do with natural leather
• 6 Drying
• 7 Possible damage during washing 7.1 How to fix
• 7.2 How to prevent

How to determine whether a pair is washable

It is better to immediately exclude the experimental method. So what should you do before washing your shoes in the washing machine?

The main points are presented in the table below:

We share the secrets of mastery

To ensure that the shoe washing process is effective, it is recommended to use Calgon or its equivalent. For example, simple soda will do. Such products will soften the water, which will have a beneficial effect on the final result.

It has already been noted that it is not recommended to wash suede material. But when your shoes have separate inserts made of such material, then one washing cycle will not do any harm.

After the water procedure, is there an unpleasant odor left in your shoes? Arm yourself with a napkin or cloth soaked in ordinary vinegar and wipe the inside of the product. All that remains is to air out the shoes to get rid of the vinegar aroma. If the product is membrane, then it is better to refuse such an experiment.

Persil will help you with severe injuries. This gel should be applied to dirty stains, wait about ten minutes and place the shoes in the drum of the washing machine without rinsing off the cleaning agent.

Remember that such items should not be washed frequently - excessive loads will shorten the wear period.

Sports shoes that did not wash off once can be spun in the drum again. For light-colored materials, it is recommended to use bleach without adding chlorine, for example, powdered oxygen options. The sneakers are simply soaked in warm water, and a bleach mixed with water is applied to their surface until it becomes mushy. After a few hours, the product is wiped with a brush and sent to the SMA.

Preparatory process

If the decision has been made, you still shouldn’t rush and put your favorite sneakers or trainers in the washing machine. Necessary:

• first clean the sole;
• remove dust from the outer surface;
• get the insoles and laces.

Then think about how to protect your shoes and the washing machine itself. The solution is simple. This is an old pillowcase, if there is no special bag.

Instead of powder, it is better to use liquid detergent. It has a softer effect. But before you wash the dummies in the washing machine, you need to stock up on special compounds that are intended for membrane materials. If there is synthetic or down filling inside, you will need a product that is used to wash ski suits.

If the manufacturer does not indicate in what mode to wash shoes in a washing machine, then you need to select a “delicate” program. It implies temperatures up to 40°C. You will have to manually wring out and dry your shoes, so these functions should be disabled.

How to wash shoes by hand

Not all fabrics from which shoes or sneakers are made are equally resistant to even hand washing. Therefore, before hand washing, make sure that your pair of moccasins or shoes is made of thick synthetic fabric, leather or high-quality leatherette.

To wash boots, ballet flats or sneakers by hand without damaging their shape and appearance of the material, do the following:

1. Dissolve the detergent in warm water not hotter than 40˚.
2. Dip a pair of ballet shoes into the resulting soap (powder) solution for 15-20 minutes.
3. Then drain the dirty soap solution and immerse the items in a new one again.
4. Using an old toothbrush, clean the sole and other parts of the product.
5. Rinse under pressure with not hot water and remove to dry.

Washing winter shoes

Much depends on the material. There will be no problems with fabric models. They wash well, which cannot be said about suede and genuine leather shoes. They should absolutely not be put in the washing machine. They can sit down and this is not the only possible problem.

You cannot wash winter boots in a washing machine if:

1. their soles are torn off;
2. some parts come off;
3. there are cracks, threads stick out;
4. a lot of decor.

It is rare to find a winter boot manufacturer that allows their products to be machine washed. Usually everyone recommends dry cleaning and only sometimes wet cleaning. But if you do everything right, everything will work out.

Preparatory activities

Once you know how to wash your shoes correctly, you shouldn’t immediately put them in the drum. This can not only lead to negative consequences, but also damage the machine itself. So the process should be approached carefully and quite consciously.

Before washing, shoes require protection from unnecessary stress caused by the rotation of the drum. At the same time, it would not be superfluous to think about protection for the rotating element itself, since bulky and heavy boots with hard soles will knock on it. There have even been cases of imbalances occurring during washing. The problem is easily solved - sports shoes or other products are immersed in a special bag, then the desired mode is selected.

Remember that ordinary slippers can be washed in a simple way, but other products made from dense materials are recommended to be washed only in a bag. First, the shoes are washed from dirt, laces and other metal parts are removed. Insoles are no exception - they are always washed separately.

A shoe washing bag can be purchased at a sporting goods store or ordered online. As a last resort, you can use an old pillowcase.

Cleaning sports shoes in a machine

We're talking about sneakers and sneakers. If with the first ones everything is more or less clear. For them, a washing machine is an acceptable option, and only if certain rules are followed.

If the crosses can be put in the washing machine, the manufacturer marks this point with a special sign. At the same time, the instructions contain complete information on how to wash shoes in a washing machine.

The algorithm of actions is usually as follows:

• Inspection before loading.
• Remove the insoles and laces and wash them separately. This will take up to 5 minutes. They don’t need a full-fledged program.
• Clean the sole to remove stuck small stones, sand and dirt. You can use a thin stick or knitting needle. Rinse off any remaining dirt under running water.
• If you don't have a shoe bag, throw old towels, soft rugs or tennis balls into the drum with sneakers. They will reduce vibration, balance friction, improve results, and keep the structural elements of the unit itself intact.
• Sort by color. Conduct a paint behavior test. You will need a damp cloth for this. All you have to do is run it across the surface of the sports shoes and get the result.
• To prevent shoes from breaking the glass of the washing machine, throw only a pair of sneakers. If they are not so massive, you can use 2 pairs.
• To prevent shoes from coming unglued, set the temperature to 30 to 40°C. This mode is available in the “Shoes” and “Delicate” wash programs.
• Add a little bleach to the regular powder (if the sneakers are snow-white).
• Do not turn on the “spin” and “drying” functions.
• Dry clean crosses. Fill it with crumpled paper and place it on the balcony.

As for winter sneakers, they should be dry cleaned or hand washed. They have internal insulation, different materials and details. In addition, these shoes are large in size and massive. It can cause the drum to become loose and damage the machine’s mechanisms.

Author:

Zakharova Nina Afanasyevna

I hope you like my article! If you find any shortcomings, just write to me about it! I am always ready for a conversation and will answer any questions you have, ask them!