
Sometimes, your shoes look dirty to the point of being moody, especially those sneakers, canvas shoes and running shoes that are worn frequently on a daily basis. Especially in the busy pace of life, washing shoes seems to be a complicated and troublesome task. However, today let’s talk about a super simple and effective way – how to wash shoes in the washing machine. You heard it right, the washing machine can help you solve this nuisance easily, saving time and effort!
Step 1: Make sure your shoes are suitable for machine washing
Not all shoes can be washed in a washing machine. Generally speaking, canvas shoes, sneakers and some durable shoes are more suitable for machine washing. If your shoes are made of delicate materials, such as leather or suede shoes, it’s best to just forgo this method to avoid damaging your shoes. To make sure your shoes are suitable for machine washing, look at the shoe label or check online to confirm that they are made of washable materials.
Step 2: Prepare first
Before throwing your shoes in the washing machine, it’s essential to do some preparation. First, take off the laces and insoles; it’s best to wash the laces separately to avoid them getting tangled in the washing machine. Then, check the bottom of the shoes for debris such as dirt and stones, preferably by gently brushing them off with a brush first. This will prevent debris from rattling around in the washing machine and damaging it or staining other clothes.
Step 3: Put them in a laundry bag
Putting your shoes in a laundry bag is to protect them from being scratched by the agitation bar or other clothes in the washing machine. Laundry bags are effective in reducing the friction on your shoes and protecting their appearance. You can choose to use a large laundry bag to ensure that the shoes will have enough space for cleaning. If you don’t have a laundry bag, you can also use a pillowcase instead, just make sure that your shoes will be protected enough in the washing machine.
Step 4: Choose the right washing mode
The most crucial step here is to choose the right washing mode. For shoe washing, it is recommended to choose the “cold water” mode, because hot water will easily deform the shoes or damage the material. The “gentle” or “wash” mode of the washing machine is the most suitable for washing shoes, which can effectively clean the shoes without excessive agitation and reduce the damage to the shoes.
Step 5: Use the right amount of laundry detergent
It is important to use the right amount of laundry detergent when washing shoes. If you use too much laundry detergent, it may leave behind suds and not wash well. If the wash is not clean enough, it may also leave the shoes with a residual odor. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a mild laundry detergent and control the amount to avoid too much foam interfering with the cleaning effect.
Step 6: Care after washing
After washing the shoes, never use the dryer directly to speed up the drying process of the shoes. The high temperature may lead to deformation or material damage, and even cause the glue on the shoes to come loose. So, the best way is to dry them naturally. Take the shoes out and stuff them with newspaper or dry towels, which will help the shoes keep their shape and speed up the absorption of water. Remember, it’s best not to expose the shoes to strong sunlight during the drying process to avoid fading or aging of the shoes.
Tip: Keep your shoes clean for a long time
While washing your shoes in the washing machine is a convenient way to keep them clean, routine maintenance is actually just as important. Regularly wipe the surface of the shoes with a damp cloth to remove dust and stains, which can effectively extend the service life of the shoes. And the cleaning of the soles should not be neglected, try to remove the soil from the soles in time after each wearing of the shoes.
In addition, if you are particularly concerned about the maintenance of shoes, occasionally give shoes a hand wash, especially for some more precious shoes, can better protect their material and appearance.