Spending this Summer outside means your sneakers start to get really dirty, really quick. Here’s some tricks on how to wash them and get them looking fresh again.
Down with dirt
Before you even think about how to wash sneakers, you need to prepare them. First, remove any surface mud, dust or sand; a soft brush will help in the first instance, then use a damp cloth and be as thorough as you can. Check the soles for chewing gum or stones that have lodged between the grips: if your trainers are washing machine friendly, the last thing you want is a loose pebble rattling around in the drum.
Machine wash – on cold
Check the label of your sneakers to find out if they are suitable for machine washing (most new sneakers are). Whatever style or brand you’re washing, the best temperature to wash trainers is a cold cycle. Remove laces before you put them in the machine (machine wash them separately) and it’s best to place sneakers in a laundry bag for a bit of added protection. To save on bumps and banging, you could throw swimming towels, jeans or non-delicate bedding in the same wash for a quieter cycle.
Hand wash – with a sponge
At LaunDream, our heavy duty machines can handle a load of sneakers. However if washing sneakers in the machine isn’t an option at your home, you could consider hand washing: it’s an easy process. You just need a sponge, a bowl of warm water and a good quality washing powder. Clean the waterproof parts of the shoe first, including the inside: give the interior a really good scrub to deal with stains and odours. Then change the water, add a bit more detergent, and squeeze the sponge out really well before applying it to the more delicate areas. Once the shoes are looking clean and fresh, use a soft cloth and clean water to wipe away all traces of detergent.
Clean and dry
Check care labels, but it’s rare to find that you can tumble dry sneakers. The best option is drying sneakers outside, avoiding direct sunlight as this can fade colors. If you don’t have outside access, leave the trainers in a warm, dry area where there’s good airflow. If you’re in a hurry to wear them again, try stuffing them with clean paper to absorb the moisture.
Clean from top to toe
With sparkly, clean sneakers to wear, make sure the rest of your wardrobe matches. Choosing our wash and fold service near you for your laundry, means having clean casual clothes ready to go.
