Cleaning white trainers

Minky2Slice

I put my trainers in the washing machine, not too often though...make sure you do it on a low temperature, as high temp can damage the glues used to manufacture the shoes. Never tumble dry!! also take shoelaces out and wash seperately, mine are white (laces), so i handwash them and soak in bleach for a while, before rinsing

howalsh

Yep, bleach is best for the laces, and the temp advice is good too - I have had some deck shoes in the wash before - the cotton shrinks and the rubber sole doesnt, leaving a curled up piece of footwear! Be careful!

scheming_gypsy

i usually take the inner soles out and throw the trainers in on a 40 wash. Good idea to go out when they're washing unless you like the sound of your washing machine being booted to death for an hour.
I usually leave the laces in as it's too much hassle to take them out and never had a problem with them

Becles

You can damage both the trainers and the washing machine by putting them in the washer.

I usually use cream cleaner as recommended above, or carpet shampoo foam on fabric shoes.

Ticklemouse

I put my trainers/other footwear in with other items to absorb the impact - towels are good. I also leave the laces in although do fasten them.

scholt

frugglewump wrote:

I do this every so often, it brightens up my trainers a treat. I find it helps if you take the laces out completely and wash them in a pillowcase. Also if the inner sole isn't attached you need to take it out to dry thoroughly.

The only side-effects I've had are - the inside lining of the trainer wears a bit faster.

Quick question - I have heard it is better for the machine to have the trainers in a pillow case - do you tie the case closed? I put mine in a few weeks back and they fell out of the pillow case on the first rotation! :rotfl:

FZwanab

I throw my fabric trainers in a pillow case and put a couple of towels in also, it helps absorb the noise element. I even put leather clarks sandals in the wash after reading "The complete tightwad gazette", this lady buys second hand shoes and machine washes them, I haven't bought 2nd hand shoes yet but my feet get hot in the summer. I stuff them with newspaper when they come out of the machine so they will keep their shape.

frugglewump

scholt wrote:

Quick question - I have heard it is better for the machine to have the trainers in a pillow case - do you tie the case closed? I put mine in a few weeks back and they fell out of the pillow case on the first rotation! :rotfl:

I put one trainer per case and do a big knot in the end of the pillow case. Also, I usually put towels in there as well which help to stop the trainers banging around.

Lucie_2

Putting trainers in the WM will desperately shorten the life of them. The heat from the machine will affect the spongy foam cushioning in the sole, so they will not be as shock-absorbing as before. If they're trainers you use for sport/running then I suggest NOT putting them in the wash as you will quickly ruin them. If they're just cheapo knocking about in trainers then it's still not particularly good for them, but will clean 'em up a treat. I see the logic behind doing it with kids trainers as they grow out of them as soon as they get dirty anyway.

hollydays

Trying to keep a pair pristine-just to wear at the gym,what do you clean them with.