Rules for washing shoes in a washing machine

With the development of technological progress and the advent of various techniques, life has become simpler. So, with the invention of the washing machine, you no longer need to set aside a whole day for washing. She can refresh even delicate things, while maintaining their original appearance. Unfortunately, shoes get dirty along with clothes all year round, and it takes a lot of time to clean them. However, manual cleaning is often ineffective: stubborn dirt and stains of winter reagents settle tightly on the surface of the boots. To solve this problem, manufacturers of some washing machines have included in their models mode for washing shoes.

Before washing shoes by machine/hand, it is necessary to determine the type of soiling and its degree. Usually, “old” dirt is hard to wash off in the autumn-spring period and salt deposits on shoes in winter, which appears when roads are treated with anti-icing agents. Also, a pair of shoes that have an unpleasant odor is subject to cleaning: in addition to the discomfort delivered to the owner, it is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms, which can be harmful to health.

Currently, there are many products used for washing in a washing machine that are suitable for shoes.It is best to use liquid powders or capsules consisting of a high concentration solution, which allows you to clean stubborn stains and dirt. But in the absence of liquid products, powdered cleaners can also be used. At the same time, the amount of powder for shoes should not exceed 20-30 g. When washing white shoes, you can add Vanish for white - it will return the pairs to their original appearance.

It is necessary to take into account the type of material from which the pair is made. In order not to spoil the shoes, before washing, you need to choose the appropriate type of cleaning. Items made of the following materials are not allowed for machine washing:

• leather shoes. The skin after washing is deformed and loses its presentation;
• fur and suede. Shoes with fur and suede leather shed and deteriorate when exposed to machine washing.

For color models, when hand washing, a concentrate is added to the cleanser to maintain color. When machine wash, the concentrate can be in the liquid powder, or it should be added separately. If washing frequently, it is more advisable to buy special powder for shoes, as it contains all the necessary elements for careful and high-quality care.

Before loading your favorite sneakers into the drum of the washing machine, you should check the shoes for damage and defects (if the integrity of the seams and coating is broken, then after washing the steam may become unwearable). It is also not recommended to wash items with beads, embroidery, rhinestones and other decorations. All decor will fly off, causing the washing machine to break. A pair of shoes before washing must be prepared:

• remove the insoles, laces (it is better to wash them separately and by hand);
• clean the sole from dirt (if this is not done, then all the dirt from the sole will settle on the surface of the product, which will not be easy to wash later);
• gravel and stones on the sole must also be removed (for convenience, it is better to use an old toothbrush and a sushi stick);
• Removable spikes in running shoes must be removed for washing.

Prepared shoes should be placed in a special laundry bag (it is sold in any supermarket). The bag will protect the machine from damage. If there is no bag, then you can use an unnecessary pillowcase or put a few rags and towels in the drum. The next step is to add detergent. The powder is loaded either directly into the drum itself, or into a special compartment (this information is usually indicated on the packaging of the product).

It is better to reduce the amount of powder in order to avoid streaks and rinse the shoes well. For a cloth pair, you must select the "extra rinse" function. If there is a special mode for washing shoes, set it. If there is none, then the delicate wash program or “short program” would be ideal. An important condition for any mode is to turn off the spin and dry function.

After proper washing, the next important stage comes - drying things. After removing the shoes from the drum, they must hang in a warm and well-ventilated area, excess water to glass (gentle alternative to machine wringing). In summer, the ideal place is a balcony with open windows, and in winter, a bathroom with ventilation turned on.

After the excess moisture is removed from the glass, the shoes are left in a warm place (away from heating and heating appliances) with well-circulated air. If the apartment has a warm floor, then you can dry the steam on it. Shoes stuffed with white paper (newsprint ink, when exposed to moisture, has coloring properties) and periodically change it until the product is completely dry.

What kind of cleaning method is suitable for slip-ons, converse shoes, espadrilles, as well as winter boots and autumn boots? It is best to use the hand washing method with a minimum water load on the products.

The preparatory stage for hand washing is the same as for machine washing (remove the insoles, unlace the laces, and so on). Then you need to choose a detergent. For these purposes, a regular laundry detergent for clothes, a special shoe detergent, liquid soap, dishwashing detergent, professional cleaning products (before using such substances, you need to make sure that they can be used on fabrics) are suitable.

When preparing the solution (for convenience, it is better to use two basins: one with clean water for rinsing and the second with powder), you need to take into account the temperature of the water. It should not be too hot or cold.Warm water is the best option. A hot composition can damage the shoe, and a cold one does not wash the pair properly. Operating principle for hand washing:

• wipe the shoes from the inside with a rag soaked in the solution, then rinse it in a container with clean water and wipe the shoes again;
• then go to the outside of things. They clean the entire surface of the shoe and, if necessary (in places of heavy pollution), apply efforts. If the pollution is too strong, then the shoes can be left in this form for soaking for several hours, after which the solution should be washed off and the procedure repeated again;
• it is important to know that only products made of high quality fabric are subject to locking. Poor quality pairs, as well as all types of shoes made of leather, suede (uggs) or fur, exclude soaking. Also, all of the above materials accept the most dry and gentle type of cleaning. So, for suede leather, a special brush will be the best solution, and furs should be lightly treated with a semi-dry rag with a very weak solution. High-quality leather can withstand a large amount of moisture, but when washing leather shoes, special attention should be paid to rinsing (the remaining detergent on wet shoes turns into ugly stains when dried and spoils the material).

Here are some helpful tips for washing shoes:

• after each walk, wipe the pairs. This will prevent the number, intensity of washes and increase the service life of products;
• use protective spray regularly.Protective equipment is sold in all shoe stores. Irrigation of the surface of the boots after washing prevents excessive dryness and cracks after drying. When applied, the aerosol forms an invisible film that protects shoes from excessive moisture and prevents pollution;
• do not neglect the hygiene of shoes inside. Wash the insoles periodically, and also treat the shoes with antimicrobial deodorants, which are also effective in combating unpleasant odors;

• to wash white shoes by hand, use a toothbrush and a rag;
• if after washing the unpleasant smell inside the shoes is preserved, then use table vinegar. Table vinegar perfectly copes with an unpleasant smell. To fix the problem, moisten an unnecessary rag or cotton pad with vinegar and rub the inside of the shoes well. You can also process the insole. Observe safety measures when working with vinegar and remember that inhalation of its vapors can lead to burns of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract;
• leather shoes after washing can be treated with baby cream, petroleum jelly or castor oil;
• if you want to use store-bought products for washing shoes, then it is better to give preference to branded and high-quality compositions. If you plan to clean the pair by hand, then put on rubber gloves beforehand so as not to damage the skin of your hands.

If you follow all the washing rules, then the risk of damage to your favorite pair is minimized. Based on the above information, we can draw the following conclusion: you can and should wash almost any shoe. The exception is expensive products made of terry material. They cannot be washed at home, it is better to use the services of dry cleaning.

For information on how to properly wash shoes in a washing machine, see the following video.