Proper Washing Sneakers: Instructions and Tips + Video

Proper washing of sneakers. On the effectiveness of exercise affect a lot of factors, one of the most important is the equipment, in the first place is a sneaker. They suffer most during the next load, passing the test in all kinds of weather: in mud, rain, and heat. At the same time, sneakers absorb unpleasant odors and sweat secretions that appear during workouts.

Each pair of sneakers for the runner carries the memories of overcoming miles of difficult routes and achieved peaks, serve as a happy talisman for their owner. How to properly care for shoes in such a situation, so that they last as long as possible, without losing their qualities.

Features care for sneakers in the machine wash

Technological progress has given us washing machines, making such work as cleaning things easy. There is nothing easier - throw dirty laundry and shoes into the machine, and wait for the program to end. Washing things, especially sports, as well as workout shoes requires some knowledge, in order to avoid spoiling their original qualities.

First, you need to start by preparing your sneakers for machine washing. To do this, take out the insoles, if they are not sewn in, and remove the laces, remove dried dirt from the surface, stones stuck in the sole, rinsing abundantly with water.

For machine washing, be sure to use special mesh bags. They are needed to ensure that the shoes do not bump the drum of the machine, so it is possible to keep intact fabric and not to beat off the top coating after many washes. In the grid with sneakers is convenient to wash removed shoelaces with insoles.

Do not overload the machine, laying all pairs of sneakers at once, what is in the house. With this washing, it suffers and the machine, and shoes, not only that it can not get out, but also a high probability of damage to the drum.

Rules of washing with his hands and in the machine

Having completed the stage of preparation of shoes, then proceed to the main thing - the washing itself.

It is necessary to choose the most gentle wash in the machine. Suitable manual or delicate mode. If the machine does not have these modes, then put on the smallest time wash without spinning.

Instead of the usual detergent, it is better to add a special gel, or powder in the form of a liquid. They perfectly cope with dirt in cold water, easily washed off, leaving no streaks.

The gentle mode provides a low temperature, the machine sets it independently. But if you have to choose the parameters of washing manually, it is better to set the temperature no higher than 40 degrees. Too hot water deforms shoes, they can unravel, shrink in size, resulting in an inability to comfortably train in them.

Features of drying sneakers

If the dirt was very strong, and sneakers light colors, it is unlikely that one wash will clean them completely. Additional cleaning with a toothbrush and soap will be needed. This method is convenient for emergency quick cleaning, as well as if you just need to remove dirt from the sole. This method is especially good for embossed soles.

The process of drying athletic shoes also requires care. Do not artificially speed it up by using batteries, hair dryers and microwaves (some in the pursuit of a quick result may think of using them). Such experiments can irrevocably ruin sneakers, adversely affect the fabric and adhesives. In a situation that requires drying in a couple of hours, you can use the old method: stuff shoes with plain paper or newspaper, or better to buy a professional dryer for shoes, they are sold in shoe stores.

If the process of washing simple cloth sneakers all more or less clear, how to properly care for shoes made of suede, leather or material with a waterproof coating, consider below.

Care of Membrane Sneakers

The main risks with washing membrane shoes are related to the danger of damaging the waterproof DWR coating and changing the breathing functions of the material. The presence of special properties does not negate the basic washing steps as for regular sneakers. Membrane shoes can also be put in the machine, it is important to use gentle washing gels specially designed for this fabric. These shoes do not like products that contain fats, waxes or oils that reduce the useful properties of the coating. If accidentally damaged the water-repellent features, you need to buy a special impregnation in sports equipment stores. With its help it is easy to restore the properties, before using it, you need to make sure that the sneakers were washed from the cleaning agents used before.

Properties of water repellents

Special water repellent impregnations can also be used for regular fabric sneakers. It is important to remember, these products give special properties to the coating, not change it, the mesh fabric can not turn into a membrane. Impregnation makes the top layer of fabric impermeable, collecting water droplets together, which then easily roll down. Quality impregnations do not remove from the surface for up to three cleanings, provided that only special liquid products, not ordinary powders, were used during the washings.

Simple granular powders destroy the membrane. Over time, the special coating begins to separate from the base material, along with this special properties are violated. Sneakers cease to protect from water, and it is possible that they begin to chafe.

What to do to restore the breathability of sneakers?

During prolonged wear of membrane sneakers, the "pores" get clogged and the breathing properties of the fabric are impaired. Special products can clean the surface and restore the functions, and the use of impregnation will protect against harmful influences and prolong the life of the water-repellent properties of the material.

For membrane shoes, it is better not to get carried away with washing in the machine. If the shoes require light cleaning, it is better to wash the surface with warm water with a sponge or brush. To dry such shoes should choose natural ways, not using heating devices.

Features of care for leather and suede sneakers

To clean leather or suede products, it is strictly forbidden to use a washing machine. If the sneaker has even partial inserts of these materials, only manual cleaning with warm water and soap solution is suitable. Do not use powders with solid particles in the composition, they are designed to polish the surface, in this case, granules can damage the fabric, leaving scratches.

Sneakers made of leather should be washed only with lukewarm water or soap. Do not abundantly wet shoes with water, strongly rubbing the surface, it all leads to deformation of the shoes and cracking the sole.

Sports suede sneakers or nubuck should not be cleaned with water at all, these shoes require only dry cleaning with a stiff brush, so as not to rub the remains of dirt even deeper, and to preserve the fluffy surface.

To create moisture protection and prevent the surface from drying out, you should treat your sneakers with special sprays. Deep dirt can be cleaned with any solution containing alcohol or gasoline, dishwashing gels will remove greasy stains. If you're afraid to ruin your shoes, you can experiment on an invisible spot on the shoe or a similar fabric. Under no circumstances should the solution be left on the shoes for a long time, so that the chemical composition does not corrode the material.

Ways to get rid of odor without washing

What to do when you need to get rid of the smell of sweat in a short time without washing your sneakers. For this purpose, a shoe deodorant is suitable. This product is convenient to use when traveling, at competitions. Another universal remedy for getting rid of odor - hydrogen peroxide, you need to moisten the sneakers with a damp cloth from the inside, the alcohol will quickly evaporate, and with it goes away unpleasant smell. Also, vinegar is a great helper in removing stubborn odors.

A longer term solution - is the use of green tea bags, for this you need to put the bags in the sneakers overnight, and in the morning the smell will be reduced. This remedy is less useful because it only masks odors, but does not kill bacteria.

Hand washing of sneakers

To start, sneakers need to be prepared, take out the insoles and laces. An old toothbrush will perfectly clean the embossed soles and outdated stains from the fabric surfaces.

Sneakers made of artificial materials, synthetics, polyester do not require special detergents, cleaning is suitable for simple laundry soap.

To wash sneakers must be careful to use conventional powders containing hard granules, they can damage the surface of the shoes.

The washing itself consists of soaking the sneakers in soapy warm water for about half an hour. If the water is very dirty, you should change the water and rub the sneakers with a detergent, cleaning the stains. Next, the shoes should be rinsed well, removing the dirt with a sponge or brush. To make white sneakers fresh, you need to use laundry soap or liquid detergent with Bleach ..

Shoelaces and insoles also need periodic cleaning. Shoelaces wash great soap, and insoles need to rub with a brush with the product, then rinse everything thoroughly. Shoelaces can be dried with a radiator, but insoles, like sneakers, should be dried naturally.

Removing stains from white sneakers

A slice of lemon will get rid of yellow stains on a white surface. A mixture of baking soda and ammonia will clean stubborn stains. If there are streaks on the soles after cleaning, you can wipe them off with a school eraser, or wipe them off with bleach so that the solution does not get on the fabric. Using strong detergents, you should be more careful to clean the bonding areas of the sole, so as not to allow unbonding.

What to watch out for

Some manufacturers, knowing the peculiarities of their shoes, give detailed information on the rules of wearing and cleaning products. These tips are often posted on the manufacturer's website, or on labels.

Proper care of your training shoes extends their lifespan and saves your budget. Clean shoes protect your feet from diseases, keep the skin surface dry for a long time, and prevent the development of bacteria and fungus. Properly saved sneaker features, such as sole cushioning and waterproof fabric, reduce the likelihood of injuries and running blisters.