Have you ever noticed that kids’ shoes smell horrible? They can definitely clear a room if not addressed soon enough. Thankfully, there is a way to get them clean. You can wash shoes in a washing machine.
There are several things you will want to do before just tossing your shoes in a washing machine, but you can get them clean that way. Here are a few steps in prepping your shoes for the washer.
Remove the laces before washing shoes in a washing machine
Take the laces out and soak them in a bowl of warm soapy water for an hour. They should come out looking as good as new. Rinse and remove any excess water, then let them air dry.
Remove insoles if possible
Soak these with the laces or run them in a mesh garment bag separate from the shoes. Once they are washed, squeeze out any excess water and let them air dry with the laces and shoes.
Use a mesh bag to wash shoes in a washing machine
Use regular detergent and place it on a medium spin cycle setting. Some recommend tossing the bag in with your towel load to soften the impact on the washer, while others think the best route is to just wash the shoes by themselves. Make sure to wash shoes in a washing machine on cold so they don’t shrink or have their colors run.
Do not put in dryer
Instead, air dry your shoes along with the laces and insoles.
There are other ways to wash your shoes as well. If you are concerned about the washer ruining your shoes, run a sink or basin with cold water, add laundry detergent, then soak the shoes, scrubbing with a toothbrush if they need extra scrubbing. After they look clean again, drain the water, rinse them thoroughly to remove any residual soap, (left-over soap will make them stink far worse than regular wear) and set them aside to air dry.
If your white sneakers need a touch up, use a combination of baking soda, water, and detergent. Rub the combo all over the shoes, completely coating them. Let them sit overnight. The paste should now be dry. Take a toothbrush and a bit of water and scrub the paste off your now brilliantly bright white shoes.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to get more wear and tear out of your favorite sneakers before you decide it’s time to retire them. Everybody wants their favorite pair of kicks to last forever, and these steps will help definitely help.