How to wash sneakers by hand?

Any sports shoes require modern hygiene procedures. Many models are made entirely or partially from fabric that cannot be cleaned simply by wiping with a damp cloth. These shoes will require gentle hand washing.

However, not every housewife knows what to do if sneakers require washing. There are certain rules that must be followed at all stages of cleaning shoes from dirt. So how do you wash them by hand?

Preparatory work

To make the washing process easy and not cause unpleasant difficulties, such as, for example, even more contamination of the sneaker fabric, sports shoes must be carefully prepared for hygiene procedures. To do this you need:

• remove all parts (insoles and laces are washed separately);
• thoroughly clean the soles of shoes;
• Be sure to remove any sticky pieces of chewing gum or pebbles stuck in the sole (you can use rough materials, such as a nail).

Important! Preparatory manipulations with sneakers should be carried out carefully so as not to damage the surface of the shoe or spoil the sole of the shoe.

What to wash with?

In order for the washing result to be of high quality and satisfy the needs of the shoe owner, you need to select a cleaning material that matches the type of shoe. For example, regular laundry soap cleans synthetic sneakers perfectly. Do not use chemical powders, as this can lead to deformation of the shoe.

Important! Do not use substances containing chlorine to clean dyed pairs of shoes, as this will lead to color loss.

Textiles can be easily washed with a weak solution of ordinary soap. It is better to wash white sports shoes with a liquid solution of Vanish. Leather sneakers are cleaned with an aqueous solution using a small amount of soap, while suede shoes and nubuck sneakers are cleaned exclusively with cosmetics for this type of material.

At what temperature should I wash?

The temperature regime is also selected after studying the characteristics of the sneaker material. If the water temperature is higher than expected, the textile elements may become stained or faded, the rubber will lose its elasticity and change structure, and the sole will peel off:

• White items should be washed in water no more than 40 °C;
• denim sneakers do not tolerate high temperatures, otherwise they will fade;
• eco-leather and leatherette are washed in water at a temperature of 20–30 °C;
• Textile shoes are cleaned with an aqueous solution of no more than 40 °C.

When removing difficult stains from the surface of a sneaker, you should also observe the temperature regime.. Difficult stains are not a reason to neglect temperature indicators and the choice of cleaning agent. If the use of chlorine-containing products is required, they are used very carefully, first checking on a small area of ​​the shoe.

To soak or not?

Soaking is a mandatory step in washing. To do this, prepare a solution with soap and immerse the sneakers in it completely for half an hour.

Selecting the washing and spinning mode

If you still decide to machine wash, it is better to use a special bag or an old pillowcase in which the couple is placed. You can wash sneakers without a bag, but then it’s better to put a couple of other large items in the drum so as not to loosen the bearings of the washing machine.

Important! Some housewives wash their sneakers by putting them in the legs of their jeans. The main point is color fastness; if the jeans fade, the sneakers will be ruined.

Some machine models have a special mode for washing shoes. If there is none, then a temperature of no more than 40 degrees and no spin will be the right choice.

Step-by-step washing instructions

After all the preparatory steps have been completed, you can proceed directly to the hygienic washing process:

1. You should prepare a soap solution with a temperature corresponding to the material of the shoes;
2. soak the sneakers in the solution; if there is a large amount of dirt on the soles, then put the laces and insoles along with the shoes;
3. subsequently, the laces can be washed with other things in the machine, or we simply soap this part of the shoe and rinse it several times;
4. The insoles are soaped with a bar of laundry soap and cleaned with an old toothbrush (Be sure to rinse the insoles thoroughly so that any remaining cleaning product does not cause irritation.);
5. after soaking, change the soap solution to a new one, and clean the sneakers with a regular foam sponge (you can use a soft clothes brush);
6. rinse the shoes thoroughly, changing the water several times.

The process does not take much time and does not require a lot of effort from the hostess. In addition, this is the only option for cleaning leather and suede shoes from dirt, since machine washing is unacceptable for them.

Laces, insole - what to do with them?

The insole and laces are soaked along with the shoes if the soles have previously been cleaned of dirt. If there is no rush, then the laces are washed with the rest of the clothes in the drum in the usual way. If you need to wash them urgently, soap the laces with laundry soap and rinse them several times in clean water. Clean the insoles under running water with soap and a brush.

How to make the sole white?

Most modern sports shoes are made with a snow-white sole or edge along the outer surface of the shoe. Housewives have to bleach it occasionally to make the sneakers look presentable. Several well-known methods are used for this:

• oxygen-containing bleach (dilute the product in a container and place a pair of shoes in it for a couple of hours, after which all that remains is to rinse the soles with a brush under running water);
• toothpaste with whitening effect (the paste must be white, it is applied to the sole and left for 15–20 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water);
• acid (citric acid or vinegar will be an excellent means for whitening the edge of the sole; just wipe it with a cotton pad soaked in the composition).

Important! When working with acids and bleaches, care should be taken to ensure that they do not get on the surface of the boot. They can damage the color of the shoe or dissolve the mesh.

Final tips

Experts recommend not to get carried away with washing sports shoes, especially if the sneakers have elastic, springy soles.. Frequent manipulation in water also leads to the sole peeling off and tearing delicate fabrics. As the dirt is washed off, the water must be changed periodically, since washing in contaminated water will not lead to the desired result.

You need to rinse your sneakers in water until they stop foaming. If the soap is not completely washed off the surface of the shoe, it will form unsightly white stains after drying.. If the smell of sweat remains even after washing, it is recommended to wipe the inside of the shoe with a vinegar solution and leave it to air for 4 hours.