In order to clean a pair of shoes traditionally, people often use soap and water, scrubbing them with a brush, rinsing them, and then leaving them in the sun to dry completely. While this method is effective in removing dirt, it takes a long time for the shoes to dry, the scrubbing can damage the stitching or the tips of the shoes, and the shoes take a long time to dry. In short, this method is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
For a quicker and more convenient method, consider cleaning your shoes in the washing machine. In addition to cleaning your clothes, blankets, and linens, this appliance can also be used to clean your shoes. Your shoes will be cleaned quickly, spun drier, and you will save a considerable amount of time.
However, the washing machine can only be used to clean shoes made of fabric or athletic shoes. Shoes made of expensive leather or silk require special cleaning methods and should never be put in the washing machine.
How to Wash Shoes in the Washing Machine
First, you need to remove the laces and insoles from the shoes so that they can be washed separately; remove any dirt from the shoes by lightly tapping the shoes on the floor. If there is only a small amount of dirt, you can wipe the shoes with a soft cloth.
If the soles of the shoes are very muddy, you should clean them from the outside first by diluting a small amount of laundry detergent and then using a brush to remove the dirt from the shoes; this will prevent the dirt from clogging the drain in the washing machine.
You should try washing your shoes in the washing machine. (Illustration: Istock)
Once you have cleaned the shoes, put them in a special laundry bag to prevent them from banging against the drum of the washing machine and to reduce the noise. Put the bag of shoes in the washing machine and press the start button. When cleaning shoes in the washing machine, you should select the gentle cycle with cold water so that the shoes are not damaged by the spinning and to minimize fading.
After the washing cycle is complete, simply take the shoes out and hang them to dry in the sun in a well-ventilated area. To dry the shoes quickly and maintain their shape, you can stuff them with newspaper to help absorb the moisture.
While you are waiting for the washing machine to finish, you can wash the laces and insoles and then hang them to dry.
Things to Keep in Mind When Washing Shoes in the Washing Machine
To ensure that your shoes are clean, fresh, and undamaged after being cleaned in the washing machine, and to protect the washing machine, keep the following in mind:
Only wash athletic shoes, tennis shoes, running shoes, or shoes made of fabric; do not wash leather shoes, silk shoes, or shoes made of special materials. Before washing the shoes, remove the laces and insoles so that they can be washed separately.
Do not use too much laundry detergent or harsh chemicals to wash your shoes, as this can cause the fabric of the shoes to deteriorate and become damaged. Liquid laundry detergent dissolves more easily and has a lighter scent, which is better for the fabric of the shoes.
When washing shoes in the washing machine, never use hot water or a high heat setting on the dryer, as this can cause the glue in the shoes to melt and the shoes to become damaged.
After washing shoes in the washing machine, the machine should be cleaned and disinfected with a cleaning solution or washing machine cleaning tablets before being used again.
According to VTC
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