Simple but important rules on how to wash fabric sneakers by hand and in a washing machine

Fabric sneakers are the most susceptible to contamination, but they are also easier to clean than other types of shoes.

Any washing option is acceptable here: in a washing machine, by hand or dry stain removal.

How to properly wash fabric (rag) sneakers? It is important to follow a number of simple rules so as not to spoil the fabric.

Is it possible?

Almost all types of fabric sneakers can be washed either in a machine or by hand. It is not recommended to use a washing machine for the following shoes:

1. Decorated with permanent rhinestones, rivets and other decorative elements. During the washing process, they can come off and get into the drain, damaging the machine.
2. With reflective and illuminating inserts. In the first case, the phosphorus is erased, in the second, the built-in microcircuit breaks due to contact with water.
3. Of questionable quality and with a glued sole. It’s rare that glue will withstand machine washing, so the shoes will be irrevocably damaged.
4. Heavily worn and with significant damage. Most likely, after such washing, the shoes will no longer be worn. It’s worse if torn pieces of fabric or foam rubber damage the drum or get clogged in the filter. Then you will have to spend more money on repairing the washing machine.

It’s better not to take risks if the automatic machine does not have suitable modes for shoes (sports, delicate wash).

• wash in standard mode,
• automatic spinning or drying.

More precise washing instructions can be found on the label (located inside the sneakers or included in the packaging).

This is due to the fact that such material reacts particularly sensitively to water: it becomes rougher and loses its color saturation. This rule does not apply to shoes made of artificial suede; they can be washed in any way.

Preparing to wash rag shoes

Before you start washing, you should prepare your shoes:

1. Remove the insoles and lacing. If there are decorative elements with push-button fixation, they are removed. All this is washed separately.
2. Using a stiff brush, clean the sole from large particles of dirt and other stuck debris.
3. Shake out the sand from the inside, turning the sneakers over.
4. Wet the bottom of the sole and leave it for a few minutes to soak the dried dirt. Then wash it off under running water.

If you do not first clean the dirt from your sneakers, then during washing it will penetrate deeply into the fabric, from where it will then be difficult to remove.

In the washing machine

Having decided to use an automatic machine to wash fabric sneakers, the main thing is to meet certain conditions:

1. The optimal temperature range is from 30 to 40 °C. If the water is colder, stubborn stains will not be washed off; if it is hot, there is a high probability of the glued sole coming off and washing out the colors from the fabric.
2. Recommended washing modes: “Shoe wash”, “Delicate wash”, “For wool”, “For cotton or synthetics”.In the absence of such, choose the shortest time mode, since sneakers need to be washed from 30 to 40 minutes. Don't forget to turn off the spin and dryer. If you leave the spin, then no more than 500 rpm.
3. It is not advisable to use regular washing powder, as it is difficult to wash out and often leaves streaks on the fabric. Preference is given to gel-based products. At the same time, air conditioners and various flavors are not used. If white sneakers, then you can add bleach (preferably oxygen-containing and without chlorine in the composition).

Washing technology in a washing machine:

• the prepared sneakers are placed in a mesh bag designed for washing shoes in a machine and loaded into a drum;
• pour a liquid product into the powder tray compartment, add a stain remover or bleach (for white shoes) if necessary;
• set the necessary parameters: mode, temperature, spin speed (not higher than 500 rpm), time;
• Waiting for the washing to finish and drying the shoes.

You can wash no more than 2 pairs of shoes at one time. Sneakers are washed according to the same principle as clothes: you cannot combine white with colored ones.

How to wash fabric sneakers in a washing machine, video instructions:

Laundry bags

It is worth paying special attention shoe washing bag in an automatic machine. It is necessary to protect the product from damage and protect the drum from breakage. Such bags are sold in hardware departments.

• the material should be dense, but with good water permeability - if it is a mesh, then with small holes so that small decor that comes off inadvertently does not fall into the drum;
• the seams must be strong, without protruding threads;
• It is important to have hard and foam inserts for shock absorption.

It is not recommended to use pillowcases for washing shoes in the washing machine, since they are of no use.

Manually

Handwash - This is a time-tested and most reliable way to return fabric shoes to their original appearance. If you follow some professional advice, you can achieve a greater effect than from machine washing.

Basic rules:

1. Hot water is excluded, since it has a detrimental effect on the fabric (as a result, the shoes fall apart and change shape).
2. The entire washing process should take no more than an hour, including soaking.
3. It is better to dilute powdered products in warm water first.
4. To remove stubborn stains from the outside, use a soft-bristled brush, otherwise pellets will appear on the fabric.

To make washing easier, sneakers are soaked first.

The following solutions are suitable for this:

• baking soda (70-80 g) + table vinegar, if the fabric is white (100 ml);
• laundry soap shavings (120 g);
• dishwashing detergent (2-3 tsp) + vinegar (2.5 tbsp);
• 5-6 tbsp. l. salt (good for removing grass marks);
• all-purpose stain remover or oxygen-containing bleach.

When bleaching white sneakers, the product must be applied outside and inside, taking special care to coat the seams and bends.Otherwise, the shade will vary when drying.

Upon completion of the preparatory activities, proceed directly to washing:

1. Water at a temperature of 30 to 40°C is poured into the basin.
2. Mix in a little washing powder or gel (approximately 40 g of product per 3 liters of water).
3. Place the sneakers in the solution and brush the outside and inside with a brush. Insoles with laces are washed in the same way.
4. Replace contaminated water with clean water and rinse shoes in it. Usually you have to do this several times.

This completes the process, all that remains is to properly dry the sneakers.

Dry cleaning a sports pair made of fabric

Since not all sneakers can safely withstand washing in a large volume of water, and there is not always time to dry, they resort to the dry cleaning method.

This means the use of such available materials:

• white toothpaste: apply to contaminated areas and clean with a small brush (you can take a used toothbrush);
• hair rinse: rub into stains with a sponge, then wipe with a dry cloth;
• freshly squeezed lemon juice and regular soda: first moisten with juice, then sprinkle with soda and clean;
• table vinegar (suitable for suede shoes): apply with a brush and scrub off.

And the unpleasant smell from inside shoes goes away if you wash the insoles regularly. You can also pour baking soda into your sneakers at night (it is considered the best adsorbent).

How to dry it properly?

The final stage will be shoe drying. Moreover, it must be correct, otherwise all the work will be in vain and the damaged shoes will only have to be thrown away.

Sneakers should be dried naturally, preferably in a hanging state. It is optimal to place them on the balcony, but not under the scorching rays of the sun. Good ventilation is important.

To preserve the shape, immediately fill the shoes with crumpled paper and change it as it gets wet. You can use electric dryers when your sneakers are almost dry.

How to dry it is prohibited:

• in a drying cabinet;
• using a hairdryer;
• on the battery.

Do not wear wet shoes, as they will stretch and become too big.

In what cases should you contact a dry cleaner?

It is not advisable to try to clean shoes with complex stains on your own.. It would be safer to go straight to dry cleaning. They will do everything quickly and delicately, choosing an effective stain remover.

Winter-type fabric sneakers should also be sent to dry cleaning so as not to unknowingly ruin the insulation.

Tips and prohibitions

Sometimes after washing sneakers remain on the fabric in the washing machine yellowish washouts. This is possible in the following cases:

• The washing powder has not been washed completely;
• incorrect mode selected;
• improper drying.

If this happens, then rinse the sneakers well and wring them out in a washing machine, and then hang them over the radiator, having previously pushed some paper inside.

Some more care tips for fabric shoes, which will further facilitate the washing procedure:

• systematically use electric dryers;
• It is not advisable to wear one pair of shoes every day (it is recommended to wear a change at work);
• It is unacceptable to wash colored and White running shoes;
• Once a month they replace old insoles with new ones.

Conclusion

With regular, and most importantly, proper care, shoes can last for more than one season.. Usually concerns arise before the first wash, but if all recommendations are followed, this procedure can be done up to 3 times a month without damaging the shoes.