Is it possible to wash nubuck shoes in a washing machine?

Is it possible to wash nubuck shoes in a washing machine? Nubuck leather is considered very practical and wear-resistant, but even after prolonged wear, stains “cling” to it. The matter is complicated by the fact that washing nubuck shoes is very troublesome: you need instructions and special products. Many housewives strive to save time and money by simply throwing their shoes in the washing machine. But won't the material be damaged by the machine? We suggest not to take risks and first find out all the possible consequences before cleaning.

Is it permissible to use a washing machine?

It is extremely unprofitable to take risks with nubuck shoes. Nubuck is genuine cattle leather processed using special technology. It is expensive, has soft fibers on the surface and has a number of undeniable advantages:

wear resistance;
waterproof;
ease;
the ability of the material to “breathe”;
practicality.

It is prohibited to wash nubuck products in a machine!

The main disadvantage of nubuck is that it is difficult to clean. The difficulty is that you cannot wash your boots in a washing machine - the leather does not like moisture, and after the first cycle it will be damaged, unstuck, discolored and deformed. To avoid permanently damaging nubuck shoes, you need to clean them dry and by hand.

We remove dirt on dry

It is strictly not recommended to wash nubuck with water or machine wash it. The manufacturer indicates the optimal conditions for cleaning leather shoes: only dry cleaning with special shoe cleaning products. The cleansing process takes place in the following sequence:

sneakers are dried naturally, away from heating devices and direct ultraviolet radiation;
the sole is wiped with a damp sponge;
the surface of the boot is cleaned with a special soft brush;
then apply foam shampoo to remove streaks and stains;
the pair is treated with aerosol dye;
the crosses are impregnated with a moisture-repellent agent and sent to dry.

It is important to remember that nubuck sneakers can only be cleaned when dry, so the pair must be completely dry before the procedure. Humidity has a bad effect on the material and only makes stain removal worse.

Cleaning shoes with folk remedies

In general, nubuck shoes are worn carefully, and regular dry cleaning is sufficient to maintain their appearance. But even with heavy soiling, washing in a machine is a bad idea. In this case, it is forbidden to even wash the skin; it is much safer to use folk remedies. Ammonia will help remove stains from nubuck. clean sneakers with ammonia

Add a few drops of alcohol to the water.
We wet a soft cloth in the resulting solution and squeeze it tightly.
Gently wipe the sneaker without pressing on the leather.
We comb the pile with a special brush.
Leave to dry, and then treat with moisture-repellent impregnation.

You can also remove oil and dirt from your skin using steam. To do this, boil water in a kettle or pan, and then hold the shoes over the evaporation for 3-5 seconds. After the sneakers you need to comb and treat with impregnation.

A risky experiment

We remind you once again that nubuck does not like water, so washing it in a machine remains an extremely risky procedure for shoes. If there is too much pollution and you decide to take a risk, then you should be prepared for the most disastrous outcome. To reduce the likelihood of damage to leather boots, you need to set the washing machine to the most gentle cycle: risk your shoes

Before washing, prepare your shoes: clean the soles, remove the insoles and laces;
load no more than two pairs into the drum at a time, making sure to place the shoes in a special protective bag;
choose the fastest or most delicate program;
pour liquid detergent for delicate fabrics into the tray;
check that the set water heating temperature does not exceed 40 degrees;
turn off spin or reduce speed to minimum.

After washing the sneakers, it is recommended to hold them over steam to restore the leather. After steam, it is dried naturally, combed and necessarily treated with moisture-repellent impregnation. It’s better not to take risks with nubuck: wear it carefully, treat it with impregnation, avoid washing it, use special products and devices. Then the shoes will last a long time without losing their quality, shape and appearance.