Sneakers

Sneakers are practical and comfortable shoes for everyday wear. The more actively it is used, the more often it needs to be washed.

Some pairs can be processed automatically, while others can only be cleaned manually. In order not to spoil your sneakers and give them freshness, you need to know the basic rules for caring for them.

Is it possible and how to properly wash sneakers in an automatic washing machine (in what mode, at what temperature, with or without spin) and manually, how to quickly dry shoes after washing without spoiling them? You will find answers to questions in the article.

Is it washable?

Is it possible to wash sneakers in a machine? You can understand in 2 ways:

1. Study the information provided by the manufacturer. It is presented on the product label.

   It can be sewn on the tongue or on the back of the shoe. Sometimes care instructions can be found on a special insert that is in the box or on the packaging itself.

   If it shows an icon with a crossed out washing machine, then the sneakers cannot be processed automatically.

2. Independently evaluate the material from which the shoes are made. Leather and suede shoes are not loaded into the machine. They are cleaned by hand.

You will have to refuse machine washing in the following cases:

1. The shoes are seriously damaged. The sole is peeling off or the seams are coming apart.
2. All parts of the sneaker are fixed with glue.With prolonged contact with water, the boots will simply fall apart.
3. The shoes have decorative metal fittings.
4. The sneakers have built-in non-removable electrical elements.

If the pair does not fall under these exceptions, you can clean it automatically.

In an automatic washing machine: on what mode, at what temperature, with or without spin, in a bag or without?

If machine washing of sneakers is not contraindicated, then before loading them into the drum, It is necessary to carry out the following preparatory activities:

• wash the sole, remove all visible dirt, small stones, sand from it;
• unlace your shoes;
• remove the insoles;
• remove the fittings, if possible.

When preparation is completed, begin washing. Algorithm of actions:

1. Place shoes in drum.
2. Pour detergent into the washing machine compartment. Preference should be given to liquid concentrates.

   They remove stains well in cool water and are easily washed out of fabric fibers.

3. Set washing parameters. You can use special programs, for example, “sports shoes”, “delicate” or “gentle wash”.

   It is recommended to turn off the spin or reduce the rpm speed to 500.

4. Set the temperature mode. The 40 degree mark should not be exceeded.
5. Start the wash cycle.
6. After its completion, the shoes are removed from the washing machine and sent to dry.

Additional rinsing is necessary if washing powder is used as a detergent.

How to do it manually?

Hand washing sneakers allows you to carefully remove dirt and not damage them.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Prepare a pair: remove the insoles and laces, clean the sole, rinse off any dust.
2. Pour warm water into a basin, add detergent, until it is completely dissolved.
3. Soak sneakers if they are seriously soiled. You should not leave them in water for more than an hour.
4. Clean shoes with a soft brush. Particular attention should be paid to the toes and soles.
5. Rinse the pair inside and out.
6. Wait until the water drains and send the shoes to dry.

Features for products made of different materials and colors

Depending on the material of the sneakers, their color and the brand under which they are produced, the rules for caring for them will differ. The information is presented in the table:

How to remove difficult stains?

Sometimes there is a need for additional cleaning of sneakers, since it is not possible to deal with complex stains using a regular detergent.

You can remove yellow stains on light-colored sneakers using the following means:

1. Toothpaste without multi-colored inclusions. The contaminated area is moistened, the paste is rubbed into it, left for half an hour, rubbed with a brush and washed off with running water.
2. Baking soda. It is mixed with water to form a thick paste, which is applied to the stain for 20 minutes. All that remains is to lightly rub the shoes with a brush and rinse with clean water.
3. Hydrogen peroxide. It has a whitening effect, so it is applied to the stain in its pure form. After half an hour, rub the yellow stains with a brush and rinse with clean water.

To prevent yellow stains from appearing on your sneakers, you need to add bleach to the water during each wash, for example, Vanish Crystal White (200 rubles for a 0.45 liter gel).

The following products can help deal with green stains:

1. Ammonia. It does not harm the product, but has a whitening effect. Apply it to a cotton pad and treat the stain with it. The procedure must be repeated until the contamination completely disappears.
2. Vinegar. If the stain has already dried, moisten the cloth with table vinegar and leave for 15 minutes.Then the product is cleaned with soap and a soft brush.
3. Salt. A highly concentrated solution is prepared from it. For a glass of water you will need 4 tbsp. l. soda Moisten the stains with the resulting mixture, leave for 30 minutes, after which the treated areas are cleaned with a brush.

Paint stains can be removed using solvents. They are used according to the same scheme: applied to cotton wool, wiped over the stain, and left for 15 minutes. Complete the cleaning with a classic wash.

The paint is dissolved by means such as:

• turpentine;
• White Spirit;
• acetone.

These substances have a pungent odor, so you need to work with them in well-ventilated areas. Hands are protected with gloves, and a mask is put on the face.

If white sneakers are not afraid of contact with aggressive compounds, then black and colored products must be handled carefully. The selected product is first tested on an inconspicuous area. Exposure time is kept to a minimum.

How can you whiten soles?

Most often, the sole of shoes is white. During use, it turns yellow or gray, and difficult to remove stains appear on it. It is difficult to cope with them if the sole is grooved.

However, you can bleach it if you use the following means:

1. Dentifrice. It is applied to a moistened brush, which is used to rub the sole. After 20 minutes, the paste along with the dirt is washed off with plain water.
2. Laundry soap. The acids it contains perfectly penetrate the structure of the sole and push dirt out. Lather it up, rub it with an old toothbrush, leave it for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with water.
3. Hydrogen peroxide or citric acid (1 sachet per glass of water). These products help remove yellow spots and remove gray plaque. It is recommended to pour them into a suitable container and immerse the sole of the sneaker in it for 20 minutes.The cleaning solution should not come into contact with the fabric or seams.

Use it as follows:

• scissors cut off a piece of suitable size from the general layer;
• wet and wring out the sponge;
• Use its corner to systematically work through the entire sole; during the cleaning process, the sponge will shrink;
• As it gets dirty, rinse it with water, wring it out and continue the procedure.

If you don’t have a sponge at home, you can use a stationery eraser. However, the effect will not be as noticeable.

How to dry them quickly without ruining them?

To dry your sneakers without harming them, you must adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

1. After washing, blot your shoes with an old terry towel. It will absorb excess moisture.
2. Stuff white paper or cloth inside. Wrap the product with bandages. Change them when they get wet.
3. Place your shoes upside down.

Do not dry shoes on a radiator. This can cause yellow spots to appear and the sole to peel off.

Do not expose the steam to direct sunlight. Under no circumstances should you dry your sneakers in the microwave.

How to speed up the drying process?

To speed up the process of moisture evaporation, you can resort to the following tips:

1. Place your shoes on the windowsill, providing access to fresh air and light shade.
2. Place the pair at a distance of 20 cm from the battery. It needs to be turned over periodically.
3. Use a hairdryer on cold air.
4. Direct a flow of air from a fan onto the sneakers.
5. Use silica gel beads. They are sold in shoe stores. They are placed in sneakers for 3 hours, then removed and dried on a radiator. The balls absorb moisture, which speeds up the drying process.

Shoes should not be exposed to hot air. It will lead to its damage.

How to remove yellowness?

If the pair turns yellow after washing, You can cope with the problem using improvised means, including:

• hydrogen peroxide;
• ammonia;
• soda and salt;
• toothpaste.

This will tell you how to remove the yellow discoloration that appears on sneakers after washing. this publication.

Will dry cleaning help?

If the sneakers are expensive, or they have complex stains that you cannot handle on your own, you can use dry cleaning services.

Before handing over the shoes, it is necessary to clarify whether the craftsmen will cope with their task without harm to the couple. You must pay for services upon completion of them.

Services that can be provided by a professional dry cleaner:

1. Remove dust, dirt and stubborn stains from sneakers. The cost of the work is 700 rubles.
2. Remove abrasions and scratches. The price starts from 600 - 800 rubles.
3. Clean and paint shoes. Depending on the type of material, the price varies from 700 to 1200 rubles.

Important Tips

To thoroughly remove all dirt from your sneakers and not spoil them during washing, the following recommendations must be adhered to:

1. Do not wash more than 2 pairs at a time. In this case, the shoes must be in the same color scheme.
2. To prevent the sole from knocking too hard on the drum of the washing machine, you can throw in an old towel along with the pair.It will act as a counterweight.
3. Laces and insoles are washed separately. They are easy to process by hand.
4. White fabric shoes can be washed using gentle bleach. It should not contain chlorine or other aggressive components.

Conclusion

You can wash the sneakers by hand or in the washing machine. If you carry out the procedure according to the rules, you will be able to remove all dirt without harming the shoes. It is important to consider its color and the material from which it is made.