We all have trainers. Whether they are for running, walking the dog or simply a collective pair, they will get dirty, eventually.
So, that begs the question, can you put your trainers in your washing machine?
The short answer is, yes, trainers can be put in your washing machine! However, before doing so, there’s a few things to keep in mind.
It’s not as simple as tossing them in with the rest of your laundry as that can damage both your trainers and your appliance.
Here’s everything you need to know.
First Things First
Before you do anything, always check the care label. This can be found on the inside of your trainers and will contain vital information, including whether your particular pair of shoes is suitable for machine cleaning.
Leather, suede and other delicate materials usually aren’t suitable for machine cleaning.
If the label inside of your trainers warns against machine cleaning, don’t ignore it.
If in doubt, wash your trainers by hand, just to be safe.
How To Prepare Your Trainers For Machine Cleaning
Do you want to know the best way to cause a blockage in your appliance? Well, simply throw in muddy trainers. Presumably, that’s not something you’d want happening, so here’s how to prepare your trainers for machine cleaning and prevent a disaster.
1 > Remove laces and insoles. These can be washed separately and or simply by hand using some soap.
2 > Brush off loose dirt. Knock the soles together (outside) to get rid of any loose dirt. You can also use an old toothbrush to remove any stubborn debris.
3 > Add a small towel. This helps keep the drum balanced.
4 > Choose the right detergent. Avoid powders as they may not dissolve fully. We would also recommend avoiding fabric softener as it can leave residues on your precious trainers. A small amount of liquid detergent usually works best.
Choose The Correct Cycle & Temperatures
When it comes to cleaning your trainers, it’s not about blasting them with hot water for hours on end, it’s more about giving them a gentle nudge in becoming nice and shiny.
1 > For the temperature, always choose the coldest setting. High temperatures can weaken the structure and loosen up the glues that hold the shoe together.
2 > As for the spinning speed, the slowest setting is usually also the best.
How To Dry Your Trainers
To start off, you should never put your trainers in the tumble dryer. Heat can shrink fabrics, warp soles as well as melt adhesives.
Instead, air drying is the best way to dry your trainers.
It usually takes about 24 hours for your trainers to fully dry out, depending on the weather and material.
Common Mistakes That Will Cause Damage
1 > Overloading the drum. We would only recommend machine cleaning one pair of trainers at a time. In addition to that, never, and we mean never, machine clean heavy work boots.
2 > Using fabric softener. Never use fabric softener when cleaning your trainers as it can leave behind residues.
3 > Mixing colours. While we recommend adding a small towel in the drum when washing your trainers, make sure that they aren’t opposite colours.
How To Hand Wash Your Trainers
If your trainers are delicate, expensive or perhaps, the care label simply warns against machine cleaning, here’s how to hand wash your shoes effectively.
1 > First things first, fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a small amount of soap. While you can use regular soap when cleaning your trainers, there are specific shoe cleaning soaps/detergents that will provide a better result.
2 > Remove laces and insoles. These can be washed separately.
3 > Use a soft brush to scrub the shoe, all around. You can also use a small towel to wipe off excess soap/water.
4 > Once your trainers are nice and clean, leave them outside to air dry.
This method will work for pretty much all shoes however, for some materials, you may need special cleaning products.
How To Keep Your Trainers Fresher For Longer
Once you’ve given your trainers a nice shine, keeping them fresh would be ideal, for obvious reasons!
The best way to keep your trainers fresher for longer is to simply give them a wipe down whenever you notice they are getting dirty.
A quick wipe down after a muddy walk goes a long way!
Quick Note
Machine cleaning your trainers too often doesn’t just wear them down, it also puts strain on your washing machine.
Trainers constantly banging around can cause stress on the drum and therefore, the drum bearings.
If you need to clean your trainers every week, we would recommend cleaning them by hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 > Can I put all types of trainers/shoes in my washing machine? Unfortunately, not all types of trainers/shoes are suitable for machine cleaning. Always check the care label to avoid a disaster.
2 > How should I wash the laces and insoles? Typically, it’s best to just hand wash these. They are quite small and usually dry out quickly.
3 > Can I mix colours when washing my trainers? Avoid mixing colours when washing your trainers. If you’re going to be using a small towel to balance the load, ensure it is the same colour as your trainers.
Conclusion
So, to conclude, can you put trainers in the washing machine? Yes. You certainly can!
In this blog, we’ve explained how to prepare your trainers for machine cleaning, what mistakes to avoid and much more!
Something you probably didn’t know is that we repair appliances!
You might not need us now, but, why not save our number? You never know when a disaster will occur.
We’re always happy to help, regardless of the appliance or the problem you’re facing with it.