Washing winter sneakers in the washing machine

Many people are interested in whether it is possible to wash winter sneakers in a washing machine? There is no single answer to this question; each case is individual. First of all, you need to look at how the manufacturer recommends caring for your shoes. All information is on the label. If machine washing is acceptable, it is important to select the correct SMA program and detergent. Let's look into the nuances.

Will the shoes suffer any damage?

Shoes are very difficult to keep clean. It constantly gets dirty, no matter how carefully its owner walks. Cleaning leather shoes is relatively simple; just treat their surface with a special sponge, but with textile sneakers it is more difficult. Fortunately, some types of products can be washed in an automatic machine - information about this is on the label.

Examine the sneaker label to see if the manufacturer allows the product to be machine washed.

If there is no label, or the information on the label has been erased, pay attention to the fabric from which the sneakers are made. Suede, leather, and fur cannot be washed in a machine. If these materials were used to create the shoes, then you will have to clean the sneakers manually.

Synthetic sneakers can be machine washed. Nylon, polyester and other unpretentious materials tolerate automatic washing very well. The same can be said about cotton shoes.

Crosses made of PVC and polyurethane can usually be loaded into an automatic machine, but with caution. Here it is very important not to overdo it with the washing temperature, and you will have to completely abandon the spin cycle.In this case, you should definitely look at the manufacturer’s recommendations so as not to spoil the pair.

In addition to the material, it is important to evaluate the quality of tailoring of the sneakers. If the shoes have small defects, there are places where the sole is coming off, it is clear that the manufacturer used a lot of glue - such a pair cannot be washed in an automatic washing machine. After mechanical impact, products may completely lose their appearance.

Strong, high-quality textile sneakers can be thrown into the machine. Manufacturers of good shoes use a moisture-resistant gel that is resistant to automatic washing. This glue can withstand frequent processing in the SMA.

Even if the label of the sneakers says that only hand washing is permissible, but they are sewn with high quality, you can try washing them in a machine. Modern washing machines are equipped with delicate modes that will help ensure the integrity of your favorite pair of shoes. We are not talking about leather and suede products - such materials in any case will not survive prolonged contact with water.

What does the manufacturer write?

As already mentioned, the first thing you need to look at is the label. It contains the manufacturer's basic recommendations for caring for the product. It is usually located under the tongue of the shoe.

Information on caring for branded sneakers can be found on the supplier’s website.

Owners of winter sneakers from Puma, Adidas, Nike, Reebok and other major brands will have it easy. Information about care is freely available on the Internet. All you have to do is find your model online and study the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Owners of sneakers from less common brands will have a more difficult time. If there is no label, they will have to rely on external factors and make decisions on their own.It is necessary to carefully inspect the crosses, look for defects, protruding threads, visible layers of glue. If the shoes seem fragile, it is better not to risk it and clean them by hand.

Pre-treatment of a pair of sneakers

Having studied the label and found out that machine washing is acceptable, do not rush to load the sneakers into the drum. Shoes need to be prepared. What will need to be done?

• Take the laces out of your sneakers. The ropes are washed separately.
• Clean dried dirt from the sole and remove pebbles stuck in the tread.
• Take out the insoles. If they smell bad, cover them with baking soda and leave them overnight. In the morning, simply shake off the product.
• If there are persistent stains on the material, treat these areas with a stain remover. If necessary, soak the entire sneakers for 10-15 minutes in warm water.
• Cover the bottom of the SMA drum with a towel; it will soften the impact of the shoes on the inner stainless steel surface. The fabric will protect both the machine and the sneakers.
• It is advisable to place your sneakers in a bag designed for washing shoes.

You can buy similar bags at a hardware store. They will additionally protect both shoes and the SMA drum. If you follow these simple recommendations, you can hope for excellent washing results. Moreover, the sneakers will remain safe and sound.

Algorithm selection

It is equally important to choose the right detergent and set up the machine correctly. Some SMAs have a special regime for shoes. If there is no such program, you will have to choose an algorithm yourself from the available ones. You need to pay attention to the heating temperature of the water - it should not exceed 40 degrees. Spin will need to be turned off.

Therefore, study the functionality of your automatic machine. The “Shoes”, “Sneakers” or “Sportswear and Shoes” programs are ideal for washing. In the absence of such algorithms, it is recommended to choose one of the delicate modes “Hand Wash”, “Gentle”, etc.

When washing shoes, be sure to turn off the spin cycle if it is provided for in the settings of the selected program.

As for the laundry detergent, the best gel for sneakers is a gel for sportswear and shoes. Unlike ordinary powder, the liquid immediately dissolves in water and is easier to rinse out of the material. This way there will be no streaks left on the crosses.

Some housewives recommend throwing napkins into the drum to wash shoes. They prevent staining of products. This is especially true when washing multi-colored sneakers, for example, white and black.

Drying shoes correctly

After washing, there remains one more important task - drying the sneakers. There are also some nuances here. Such shoes should not be placed in dryers; the moisture should evaporate naturally.

You should also not dry your sneakers near heaters or on radiators. Do not expose shoes to direct sunlight. The ideal option is to place the crosses in the fresh air, in the shade, or in a well-ventilated area.

To help the sneakers retain their shape, you can stuff white paper inside. It is important that the sheets are clean, without printing ink or ink. Therefore, newspapers and magazines are not suitable.

The paper will not only prevent the shoes from deforming, but will also help the sneakers dry faster. The sheets will absorb excess moisture, so it is recommended to change them periodically. It is better to avoid using special electric dryers.

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