Are you getting ready for a special occasion and need to look your best? Going to a nice place and want to look perfect? You can get your clothes washed, your hair made, and put on an excellent cologne, but what about your shoes? Making your shoes look new is unarguably a challenging job. These take all the damage from everyday walking and lifestyle. This makes them most vulnerable to damage and to breaking apart faster. Regardless of your shoes’ high quality, they will wear down sooner or later. To ensure that your shoes do not wear out months after buying them, they will need proper maintenance and care. Now, whenever you thought about cleaning your shoes, the thought of washing them in a washing machine would have come with it. With this thought, we often question, “Does putting shoes in the washing machine damage it?”. Of course, no one would want to put their shoes in a washing machine and ruin the machine and the shoes.
This blog answers the question “Does putting shoes in the washing machine damage it?”. We will discuss whether you can wash your shoes in a washing machine and, if possible, how to do it. Let’s begin!
Does putting shoes in the washing machine damage it?
Let’s answer one of the most asked questions, “Can you put shoes in the washing machine.” The short answer to this question is “Yes.” However, you cannot wash soccer, hiking, or shoes with metal spikes. These can damage your washing machine and dryer and should not be washed in them. Another commonly asked question is, “Can you put sneakers in the washing machine?“. Yes, you can put sneakers in the washing machine. Just ensure that you follow all the steps and instructions in this blog. All other shoes should be safe, and you can wash them in the washing machine. If you face any problems after putting the shoes in the washer, feel free to contact our expert washer repair services.
How to Wash Shoes in a Washing Machine
Check your shoes’ labels before putting them in the washing machine. If your shoe label says they’re dryer-safe, Congratulations! You can wash them without worrying. However, if the label states the shoes are not washer or dryer-safe, don’t machine-wash them. Most shoes are made from polyester or nylon mesh. These materials are durable and are hence, safe to be used in a dryer. However, if your shoes are expensive and are made from either leather, silk, or suede, don’t wash them in the washing machine. To properly wash your shoes, follow the steps given below:
1. Remove the Shoelaces.
You can hand wash the laces or put them in the dryer. If you have a mesh bag, put your shoelaces in it. This ensures that the dryer isn’t damaged as laces often wrap around and tangle in the dryer. Hence, we recommend you hand wash the laces separately if you don’t have a mesh bag. Prevention is better than cure, so do not risk putting the shoes in the machine. If your shoelaces are extra dirty, use detergent, a small brush and wash them in warm water.
2. Remove the Insoles (If They Are Removable).
We recommend that you remove your shoe’s insoles and wash them separately. This ensures they do not absorb too much water (which can take longer to dry) and are not deformed. You will need a brush, soap, and warm water to wash the insoles separately. To wash insoles, put some baking soda on top and rub them. Leave them to dry overnight and brush off the excess baking soda in the morning. This ensures that your insoles do not smell bad and are all clean in the morning.
3. Place the Shoes in the Washer.
After you are done cleaning both the laces and the insoles, it’s time for the most important step. Having a mesh bag would be helpful in this step. If you have a mesh bag, put shoes in it and place them in the washer. This helps remove the excessive noise shoes make from banging around when washed in the washer. You can also add a few clothes or towels to remove more noise. It is also important to put clothes and towels that have already been washed a few times. This makes sure that no dye or extra color comes off from the towels and ruins the shoe color
4. Set your Washer to a Delicate Cycle with Cold Water and a Slow or No Spin Setting.
We recommend using cold water when washing your shoes in the washing machine. You can use warm water if you have washed your shoes in a cold water cycle before and they have not distorted. Use warm water if you wish to, although your shoes might have a higher risk of warping.
5. Use a Liquid Detergent.
You can use powder detergent, which can get stuck in your shoe’s crevasses or compartments. To be on the safer side, use a liquid detergent.
6. Will putting shoes in the dryer break it?
Another frequently asked question is, “Will putting shoes in the dryer break it?”. Throwing the shoes in the dryer will not break them, but it is not recommended. Putting your shoes to dry in the dryer will damage the inside glue and loosen the insoles. This will make the shoes fall apart. Also, since the shoes bang around in the dryer, the dyer’s parts can lose their integrity.
Therefore, we recommend stuffing your shoes with towels, shirts, or clean rags. This ensures that they dry faster and do not absorb the moisture as the towels and shirts absorb it. Stuffing your shoes can also ensure that they don’t get deformed or lose shape. You can also keep them in sunlight to speed up the drying process.
Putting the laces back after removing them can be a tedious and confusing. Here is a video explaining how to add laces to your shoes easily.
Summing it all up
Summing it all up, the answer to “Does putting shoes in the washing machine damage it?” is generally no, if done correctly. If you follow the above steps, you should be able to safely wash your shoes in a machine without damaging it. If you face any issues, our dedicated “Best Appliance Repair Services” team is here to support you. Offering our services 7 days a week and being the winner of “Best of Awards 2023”, we’re here to make your life easier by ensuring all your appliances run efficiently and smoothly. Feel free to contact us for expert advice and reliable repair services.