They look like new! How to wash shoes in the machine
Favorite shoes are often worn every day and are subjected to wear and tear. However, the street dirt, water stains and other contaminants significantly reduce the pleasure of wearing shoes over time. Not only do they spoil the appearance, but in the worst case scenario, they can even damage the quality in the long run. Therefore, it is advisable to clean your shoes regularly. But what should you do if you can no longer clean your shoes with a shoe brush and a rag, or if the smell of your sneakers becomes too strong? This guide shows whether, how and at what temperature shoes can be machine washed in this case.
Can I wash shoes in the washing machine?
To remove the stubborn dirt, stains, and unpleasant odors from shoes, you can use the wash cycle in your washing machine. Most manufacturers do not recommend to wash shoes in a washing machine. The high temperatures and humidity can cause adhesives to loosen, seams to swell, or soles to disintegrate. Washing shoes in the washing machine is therefore always at your own risk. In general, shoes made of fabric and synthetic materials can be machine-washed without immediately falling apart.
Shoe model | Suitable for washing machine | Special features |
|---|---|---|
High Heels | No | Heels can break off and/or damage the machine |
Leather shoes | No | Heels can break off and/or damage the machine |
Sports shoes | Yes | Sports shoes with the cushioning in the sole should not be machine-washed |
Fabric shoes | Yes | Shoes with metal parts such as rivets must not be put in the machine |
Sneakers/Gym shoes | Yes | Shoes with metal parts such as rivets must not be put in the machine |
Hand washing as an alternative
If you don't dare to put your shoes in the washing machine, you can also try hand washing. This is more gentle and can be stopped immediately if the material reacts in an undesirable manner.
Six tips for washing sneakers in the machine
Sneakers are particularly suitable for machine washing because they are usually made of durable synthetic fibers and are robustly constructed. If airing and brushing are no longer sufficient to remove odor and dirt, you can try washing these shoes in the machine. However, to prevent damage to the shoes during machine-washing, a few basic rules should be observed.
Tip 1: Choose the washing program and the temperature carefully
When washing sneakers, you should select the gentlest wash cycle possible at a low temperature. 30 °C is completely sufficient and prevents adhesives from coming loose or the shoe from shrinking. The appropriate washing program is a delicate or gentle wash cycle as well as a wool wash cycle. These are particularly gentle on the material. Spinning should also be minimized and the lowest spin speed should be selected.
Tip 2: Use the right detergent
A heavy-duty or delicate detergent is the right choice for gently cleaning shoes. If the shoes are white, you can also use a detergent with bleach to make the color shine even more. When dosing detergent, the motto is: Less is more. Fabric softener should not be used when washing sneakers: Fabric softener can damage the material and especially the areas where glue was used, thus ruining the shoe.
Tip 3: Prepare shoes correctly
Before the shoes go into the washing machine, a few preparations need to be made. The laces, insoles and all other loose elements must be removed beforehand. The coarse dirt from the surface and sole is removed with a shoe brush or toothbrush or wiped with a damp cloth to prevent it from collecting in the washing machine and dirtying it or clogging the hoses. To protect the shoes, you can pack them in a garment bag or pillowcase. This way, the removed shoelaces can also be washed easily.
Tip 4: Load the machine carefully
Shoes should never be put in the washing machine alone. Due to the rapid rotation, the shoes hit the drum from the inside and can create an imbalance and damage the machine. Towels and bed sheets, for example, are good companions for shoes in the washing machine. If the shoes are in the garment bag, you don't have to worry about the other items of laundry getting damaged.
Tip 5: Dry shoes properly
If the shoes have survived washing in the washing machine unscathed, they must be dried properly. This is the only way they will retain their shape and avoid developing mold stains or similar problems. Direct exposure to heat from heaters or hair dryers should be avoided. Instead, the sneakers are ideally dried at room temperature. To avoid deformation, a shoe tree or a newspaper can be inserted into the shoe. The newspaper also has the advantage of absorbing water, which speeds up the drying process. If possible, the shoes should not be put in the tumble dryer.
Tip 6: Impregnation of shoes after washing
If the shoes were waterproofed, the protection must be renewed after washing. Although the impregnation is waterproof, it retains its properties only at low temperatures and up to a certain amount of water. The waterproofing also helps to minimize the occurrence of dirt and stains in the future. However, the waterproofing spray should only be applied once the shoe is completely dry.
How to care for shoes properly
In general, shoes should be well cared for so that they last a long time and look good. Dirt, mud and the like should be removed as soon as possible after wearing, before the dirt becomes embedded in the fibers. Regular airing and alternating between different shoes helps to minimize odors. Shoe polish keeps the material soft so that it doesn't become brittle and dirt can't settle in the creases.
White shoes are yellow after washing: What can I do?
If your formerly white shoes have an undesirable yellow tint after washing, this is usually due to glue that has dissolved and become embedded in the fabric. Therefore, special care must be taken when washing the white sneakers. To remove the yellow from the shoe, a mixture of baking soda and dish soap can help: The 1:1 mixture is applied to the shoes with a toothbrush and removed with a damp cloth after a short period of exposure. This home remedy can often eliminate a slight yellow tint.
