We all have shoes in all colors and designs, whether it’s boots, sandals, sneakers or whatever. Because we use our shoes daily, they tend to get dirty and lose their original color. One of the ways to clean them is to put them in the washing machine, but it is important to know if all our shoes can go in the washing machine and what are the best ways to clean them.
Here’s what you need to know to wash shoes in the washing machine in winter without damaging them!
Dirty shoes – Source: spm
Can all shoes be washed?
This is the first question we should ask ourselves when considering how to clean our shoes.
Although hand washing is ideal, not all models can be machine washed.
Boots, ballerinas and any other type of shoe with a delicate fabric, such as leather, suede or silk, cannot be machine washed because they can be damaged even if you choose a delicate programme.
It is also not recommended to machine wash shoes with objects on the sides, such as rhinestones, or whose soles are damaged.
You may be wondering what type of shoe can go in the washing machine? Sports shoes or slippers can easily be made like new again and we’ll see how.
Laces – Source: spm
before washing
Before washing, it is important to take a few precautions so as not to miss any step.
First remove the laces and insoles as they can deform the shoes and may damage the washing machine. Indeed, the laces could be sucked in and compromise the proper functioning of the device.
If you have stains on your shoes, pre-wash them with a little Marseille soap, it is soft and does not damage their surface.
Tips for a perfect wash
All you have to do is discover all the tips for a perfect wash!
Detergent – Source: spm
· Use the right detergent
The first very important tip to follow is to put the right detergent in the washing machine.
How to recognize it? It’s very simple, it must be liquid and not powder!
Powdered detergents can become embedded in the fibers of your shoes and are difficult to remove unless you do a second wash.
So prefer liquid detergents, we of course recommend ecological detergents that do not pollute the environment. You can also try Marseille soap flakes for example!
· Do not overfill
Another thing to keep in mind is not to overfill your washing machine.
I recommend, if possible, devoting a wash just to shoes, perhaps grouping together those that need washing.
However, be careful not to overdo it: even if you start a wash for shoes only, make sure that there are at most 3 pairs in the washing machine, so that they do not clash too much .
Centrifuge and temperature
Here are two very important facts for when to do the perfect wash.
The centrifuge and the temperature determine the success of many processes in the washing machine, you need to set them well depending on the materials, the load and many other parameters.
In the case of shoes, the temperature should not exceed 30/40 degrees, otherwise you risk damaging them.
As for the spin program, it is advisable not to use it or, if it is really necessary, to set the speed to minimum.
Protection
At the beginning, we said that it is important to remove the laces from the shoes, but where to put them?
For extra protection when washing, you should first wrap the laces in a small cloth or canvas bag.
So they will still be washed, but without being damaged and without creating noise inside the washing machine when they hit the drum.
. To dry quickly
The drying phase, although underestimated, is very important.
The sun can dry out and fade the natural color of your shoes, so always store them in the cool air, but out of direct sunlight.
In addition, to speed up this process, you can use a very effective trick!
These are sheets of newspaper, which are also used to clean windows at home! Just put them inside your shoes and you’ll see they’ll be dry and clean in no time!
. Say goodbye to bad smells
Finally, let’s see how to say goodbye to bad smells in your shoes.
This is a problem that often occurs due to sweat and lack of air circulation.
The methods described below can be used for shoes that cannot be machine washed.
Baking soda to remove bad odors from shoes – Source: spm
You can use natural and very effective remedies:
· Corn Starch: Just sprinkle some product inside your shoes and wait for it to absorb all bad odors, then shake and wipe with a damp cloth.
· Baking soda: Like corn starch, baking soda also has a deodorizing property. The procedure is the same as described above.
· Citrus peels: orange or lemon peels are enough to combat bad smells. Put them in your shoes outside on the balcony and you will see that in a few hours the smells will disappear!
Warnings
Please note that it is extremely important to read the washing instructions for your shoes so as not to damage them.
