cross-posted from: https://linux.community/post/1079067
after running under the rain for 30 minutes my white sneakers had a foul stench. I tried disinfectant and washing them with soap and water and lots of rubbing and sunlight to dry.
While that got rid of most of the smell, my white sneakers are now brownish, specially around the shoelaces.
I’ve never washed sneakers in the washing machine. Am I going to ruin them?
Shoeshiners exist for a reason. There’s a science to cleaning shoes.
Shoeshiners are for “nice” shoes that use primarily “hard” materials for the outer layer that can be, well, shined. They don’t typically take care of the inner parts where more standard fabrics are nor do they do sneakers.
Sneakers you can toss in the washer and call it a day
Airplanes are vehicles, yet it won’t do you much good to take them to a car mechanic.
Shoe shiners:
- Are exceedingly rare in the modern era, and
- Shine shoes. They do not clean sneakers.
you’d think it doesn’t need to be said because it’s obvious, but i speak from experience that it does need to be said: make sure you don’t put them into an agitation based washer; impeller or tumble washers ONLY!
(or atleast use a laundry bag if you have only have access to an agitation washer)
and air dry them IN THE SUN!!!
What goes on in an agitation washing machine that affects how shoes clean?
I have washed shoes on gentle before with success. Technique, I put them in a pillowcase that closes first to keep laces from tangling
I’ve washed shoes in the washing machine a few times, using the setting for delicate clothes. So far no damage to be seen and they come out clean.
Probably not something that should be done every other day, but once in a while seems fine.
Literally just pulled my daughter’s high tops out of the washer. We unlace them and put them in a zippered laundry bag (cheap at most stores that sell Landry soap, look near the clothespins in the cleaning aisle) with the laced. Wash shoes alone with regular soap and a small amount of oxiclean on gentle with an extra rinse, cool water, smallest load. They finished looking very nice and we usually let shoes dry sitting out in the air on a towel for a day or 2 before wearing.
