Sneakers with intensive use require regular cleaning. The leather upper of these shoes is practical and visually attractive.
To keep it in good condition, you must follow the rules of care and know the features of hand and machine washing, as well as drying such shoes.
Is it possible and how to wash leather sneakers in a washing machine? Find answers to your questions in the article.
Preparation for the process
Before washing your favorite pair of sports shoes, you need to analyze exactly how to clean them so that they do not become deformed or damaged.
Some manufacturers provide recommendations for caring for their products, even indicating washing rules.
There are no guarantees that cheap sneakers from an unknown manufacturer will survive washing. Even if the manufacturer denies the possibility of washing their products, owners of sneakers wash them by hand and in a washing machine. The result of such processing will be unpredictable.
High-quality stitched shoes made of genuine leather will most likely survive washing well if you follow all the rules.
Before washing your shoes, you should prepare them:
- pull out the laces;
- remove the insoles;
- rinse shoe soles with water;
- remove difficult stains from the surface (for example, from lubricants).
If small pebbles are stuck in the grooved sole, you can clean them out using an old toothbrush or toothpick.
Product for washing sneakers at home
The same product can be used to clean the surface of sneakers and rubber soles if it has a liquid, gel or powder consistency. To decide how to properly wash sneakers made of a particular material, you need to know the advantages of each product:
- Liquid soap spreads easily and washes off quickly, but can leave stains if it contains a strong dye.
- Washing gels form strong foam and are not suitable for cleaning suede shoes.
- Powders fight even very strong stains, but if they contain large abrasives, they can scratch the surface of the sneaker (depending on the material).
In the washing machine
The automatic machine makes washing leather sports shoes a breeze. To prevent shoes from dangling in the drum and hitting the walls, you should use a special mesh or additionally add a couple of old terry towels to the load .
If your automatic washing machine has a special “Sports Shoes” mode, you should use it.
In the absence of a special program, the sneakers are washed on a delicate cycle without spinning.
The optimal temperature for washing leather sports shoes is from +30ºС to +40ºС.
Hotter water can cause the shoes to come apart and require repair, and cold washes will be ineffective. Washing detergent for sneakers should be designed for an automatic washing machine. For a white pair of shoes, it is possible to use powder or gel with a whitening effect, but not containing chlorine .
It is advisable not to select the “spin” mode. Even minimal speeds create an increased load on the elements of the washing machine, shortening the service life of the equipment and causing breakdowns. After the end of the washing cycle, the wet shoes are taken out to dry.
If the sneakers have permanent decorative elements that require delicate handling, then machine washing is not acceptable.
How to quickly dry sneakers after washing?
The faster the fabric dries, the higher the chance of avoiding the appearance of colored stains on the surface of the shoe. The rubber sole may become deformed in the dryer, so advice on how to dry sneakers after washing on a heater or radiator should be ignored. Safe methods include:
- Dry under air conditioning, hair dryer or fan. The principle of operation of these devices is the same: the blown air evaporates moisture from the surface of the fabric. If a hair dryer is used, it should be at least 40 cm away from the item.
- Using silica gel. Bags of it should be placed in wet sneakers for a couple of hours. And after drying the balls on the battery, you can use them again for the same purpose.
- Stuffing with paper. How to dry sneakers with newspaper is not worth telling, because printing ink will leave its mark on the cotton. Only white paper will do, which you need to crumple up and stuff your shoes with. As the paper gets wet, change it until it dries completely.
Handwash
You can clean the uppers of sneakers quite well even by hand. To do this, you will need a rag or sponge and detergent (from baby soap to washing powder).
The process of hand washing lightly soiled shoes:
- Prepare your sneakers.
- Pour warm water into the container.
- Wet and soap the rag and clean the outside of the shoes.
- Rinse off the soapy mixture with water.
- Dry.
In cases where the sneakers are very dirty, more serious treatment is necessary. To do this, you will need a basin that allows you to lower the couple completely into it.
Procedure:
Warm water is poured into the prepared basin.- Dilute washing powder in water. It is advisable to give preference to liquid detergent.
- Lower the sneakers completely into the water.
- Wash the outside with a rag and brush.
- Using a small brush with a long handle, clean the inside.
- Wash off the soap solution.
When washing heavily soiled shoes, it is necessary to change the water in the basin several times.
How to wash sneakers by hand, video instructions:
Features of drying leather sneakers
Drying is a delicate process that requires proper execution. You should dry your sneakers in a warm and well-ventilated area. A space with open air, such as a balcony, works well. It is strictly forbidden to use foreign devices to speed up the process (hair dryer).
This may result in:
- peeling off parts;
- changes in shape and color;
- the appearance of cracks.
Before drying, you need to open the sneaker as much as possible and carefully. Excess moisture must be removed with a terry towel. To speed up drying, you can only use a professional dryer. It is great for home use.
Cleaning natural suede
Natural suede is more demanding to process than leather.
For manual cleaning you will need:
- vinegar;
- ammonia;
- suede brush;
- water;
- container for preparing cleaning solution;
- rags.
Suede is a delicate material that does not tolerate moisture and exposure to chemicals. For such shoes, the temperature regime is set within +30ºС.
Cleaning procedure:
Especially dirty areas should be treated with vinegar.- Mix half and half alcohol and water.
- Wipe the contaminated areas with an alcohol solution with a brush.
- Wash the steam in water using a cloth.
- Dry.
If the pile is damaged after washing, you can steam it or use a special brush for caring for suede.
When the shoes are dry, a moisture-proof coating can be applied to their surface using the preparation in a spray.
To clean the outside of suede and nubuck sneakers, you can use special products designed to care for this material.
Watch a video on how to wash suede sneakers in the washing machine:
Faux leather
The artificial material of the upper of the sneakers has significant differences from the natural one. It is lighter in weight, less demanding to maintain, and inexpensive. The disadvantages include less elasticity, poor breathability, and rapid wear.
Caring for such a pair of shoes will require a special approach. It is not advisable to wash such shoes in a machine, since leatherette may not survive intensive cleaning.
When washing by hand, you cannot:
- use hot water;
- use brushes with abrasive surfaces;
- apply effort - pressure, intense friction, etc.
Sports shoes made of artificial leather should be hand washed only if they are excessively soiled, since the material is not intended for wet processing.
Wash insoles and laces
Washing insoles does not have to be done only together with cleaning sneakers. Due to the specific nature of using sneakers, insoles not only can, but also need to be washed more often.
For this you will need:
- warm water;
- brush;
- soap solution.
For off-season and summer shoes, remove the insole and wash it in warm water using a brush. In winter sneakers, printed wool, felt or other insulation is used as material for the insoles. Such insoles should also be washed more often, but it is better to use cool rather than warm water.
Laces removed before washing sneakers also require cleaning . As with insoles, they can be washed much more often than the shoes themselves. The easiest way is to wash them by hand, thoroughly soaping them.
The laces are rubbed, then rinsed and dried on a line. But you can put them in a bag with your sneakers and wash them all together. To wash light-colored laces, it is advisable to use white laundry soap.
Washing bag: why is it needed?
A laundry bag for sports shoes is significantly different from a regular bag intended for clothing. The main difference is the presence of seals that prevent shoes from hitting the ribs of the drum. Each bag is designed for one pair; its parameters are indicated on the packaging.
Externally, shoe washing bags may have different designs. Seals in bags play 2 roles:
- Protect the drum from mechanical impact.
- Prevents the shoes themselves from fraying.
The size of the shoe bag allows you to put both children's and adult sneakers in it.
If a special bag is not available, then when washing you need to add old terry towels to the drum . The sneakers themselves should be placed in a linen bag, for example, in an old pillowcase. The top is tightly tied or stitched to keep the shoes in place.
It is important to check in advance to ensure that the towels are not fading.
Proper drying
After manually or automatically washing leather sneakers, they need to be dried. In summer, it is convenient to dry sports shoes outdoors. When it’s cold, stay warm, indoors.
To prevent the leather from deforming during the drying process, the inside is stuffed with paper that can absorb moisture well.
For these purposes you should not use:
- newspaper (printing ink can stain the inside of the sneakers);
- glossy paper (it does not absorb moisture well).
As the paper becomes saturated with moisture, it is replaced with dry paper.
What not to do during the drying process:
- place shoes near an open fire source and in bright sunlight;
- place leather shoes on the radiator;
- leave wet sneakers in a damp, cold room;
- Use the drying mode in the washing machine.
What products to choose for washing leather sneakers
To wash leather sneakers by hand, use baby or laundry soap and a brush. This method is non-traumatic and will help clean shoes most carefully.
For machine washing, a special liquid gel is best; it does not form stains. You should avoid using fabric softener; it can be a source of stains.
Dry cleaning
For expensive sneakers equipped with decorative elements, as well as winter ones, hand and machine washing are replaced by dry cleaning.
If the item cannot be subjected to home cleaning products, you should contact a professional . This option is also suitable if you don’t have a washing machine or if you have doubts about your ability to wash your sneakers correctly.
Recently, a niche in the service industry has begun to be filled, providing sneaker cleaning at the highest level. You can find such establishments on the Internet by searching for “sneaker dry cleaners” or “shoe dry cleaners.”
But even in large cities this service is not widely available, and in small towns it may be completely absent.
Sneaker dry cleaners have existed in the Russian Federation since 2015. Services provided by dry cleaners for sneakers:
- comprehensive cleaning;
- easy restoration;
- washing or replacing laces;
- aromatization;
- giving the top coat shine;
- disinfection, etc.
The duration of professional cleaning ranges from several hours to several days.
The cost of a classic dry cleaning service for minor stains averages from 1,000 rubles. For leather sneakers, standard cleaning is optimal (from 1,500 rubles).
Additional services, including restoration work, are paid separately. If the problem is complex, for example, restoration is required, then it may take more time to get the shoes in order - up to two weeks or even more.
Dry cleaning sneakers - cool or a waste of money, the video will tell you:
Recommendations
In order to avoid unpleasant surprises and not damage your sneakers, it is recommended to use the following tips:
- Prolonged contact of leather and suede with water should be avoided. To do this, the washing process must take place without prolonged soaking.
- You can use an old toothbrush to manually scrub the inside of your sneakers.
Exposure, even short-term, to hot water should be avoided.- Sneakers should not be washed together with clothes, as all the dirt from the shoes will transfer to other things.
- The presence of a special mesh for washing shoes in a machine is a condition that will protect the drum from possible damage.
- Do not wash damaged sneakers with protruding foam. As the washing machine operates, the gaps will become even larger, and the foam rubber may get stuck in the filter.
- You cannot put more than two pairs of shoes in the washing machine.
- The washing machine drying function cannot be used.
- When washing sneakers, it is recommended to use liquid detergent rather than powder.
- Do not use fabric softener when washing leather sneakers - it can leave stains.
- After drying, you can treat the outer part with shoe polish (matching color or colorless) to soften the material.
- Yellowed white elements can be whitened by rubbing them with a slice of lemon.
- Leather sneakers with light are not machine washable.
If expensive leather designer sneakers with complex decor are seriously soiled, it is recommended to entrust cleaning to a special professional dry cleaner.
Is it possible to wash leather sneakers?
People often wonder how to wash white leatherette sneakers at home. Shoes made of leatherette need to be washed more often than natural sneakers. This happens because the artificial material does not allow air to pass through well and the leg is not ventilated.
As a result, the sneakers do not breathe and an unpleasant odor appears. There are two ways to wash: manually and using a machine. They are perfectly resistant to machine washing without spinning.
Important! The main recommendation is to wash at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees.
White sneakers are also machine washable. To do this, you need to clean the dirt with a toothbrush and soap solution and use the delicate mode. If this method does not get rid of yellowness, then you can use a solution with powder and vinegar.
To do this, add a couple of tablespoons of not hot water and 3 tablespoons of table vinegar to half a glass of washing powder. Apply the mixture to previously cleaned sneakers and soles of dirt and leave for half an hour. Then gently clean with a brush and soapy water.
The manual method is the most gentle, which will protect the shoes from deformation.
For cleaning you should use:
- soda;
- soap;
- shampoo;
- lemon juice;
- vinegar.
It is not advisable to overuse machine washing if you have leather shoes, especially if they are of poor quality. When washing in a machine, you should take into account the characteristics of temperature and rinsing.
