Washing Trainers

Grumpy_chap

Hello all, I hope the hive mind of the forum can advise about whether I can wash my trainers and they'll remain useable afterwards.

My normal trainers for just non-event running (Nike Pegasus 40) are smelly. It all began when I did a waterlogged ParkRun 7th February - this is one of the drier parts of the course that day:

After that event, I left my trainers to dry out (as I usually would) in the porch. By Monday morning the trainers were still soaked through (but there was a smell in the porch) so I gave them some time in the airing cupboard (meaning there was a smell in the airing cupboard also). Once the trainers were dry, I returned them to the normal place in the shoe rack in the porch.

The airing cupboard aired out OK and the smell dissipated but the trainers, even though dry, were still smelling the porch out so I left the window open. Every time I have worn the trainers since, there is an odd smell emanating from them - it probably does not help that we've had so many wet runs in the month since.

The pungency of the smell is reducing slowly, but it is still there and still not great. It is made worse by the fact I don't even know what the smell is - if it was just a "smelly trainers" smell that would be kind of at least better in a way and I could try some Odour Eaters or Trainer Tamers to help.

Anyway, the smell is still there and returning after use, albeit in a declining fashion, so I am after suggestions as to the best thing to do now:

1. Do nothing, keep using the trainers and the smell will continue to reduce with time?
2. Use some standard Trainer Tamers?
3. Use some Smell Well inserts? ( https://shop.parkrun.com/collections/apricot-accessories/products/smellwell-shoe-and-gear-freshner-red )
4. Wash the trainers in the washing machine? If so, do I need a pouch? ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0FXPWPDN2/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2S8M8T35NNKKD&th=1 )
5. If I wash in the washing machine, do I just use water, or normal detergent, or a "special" detergent? ( https://shop.parkrun.com/collections/apricot-accessories/products/smellwell-laundry-capsules )
6. Or, do I not wash at all and just use a deodorising spray? ( https://shop.parkrun.com/collections/apricot-accessories/products/smellwell-odor-eliminator-spray )

Any advice or experience, tips or hints would be welcome.

rob7475

If you keep the temperature and spin speed low, they should be fine. I try and avoid putting trainers in the washer but sometimes, they just won't clean up so there's no other option.

I don't bother with the bags you can put them in. I just take the laces out, remove any removable insoles and put them on a 40 wash and reduce the spin to around 800.

Grumpy_chap

Thanks Rob,

I was going to go for the 30 deg wash.

Does 40 deg make much difference? I assume it would need to be above 60 deg if inactivating bacteria is the concern?

Do you just do the trainers with a water wash, or with any detergent?

Woodstok2000

I've washed my asics running shoes - removed laces and insoles, popped them in a pillowcase and ran them through at 40 with a half measure of detergent. Came up great.

rob7475

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916984#Comment_81916984

30 should be fine. I use some detergent. Don't bother with softener though.

Eldi_Dos

Once you have washed your trainers it is a good idea to give the inside a good spray of Tea Tree Oil while still damp to help keep them fresh.

After each run stuff some newspaper inside to help dry out and reduce the smell that can be left.

MyRealNameToo

Presumably these are fabric trainers rather than leather?

I'd wash them, low temp and spin, I'd also suggest taking the laces out or put them in a net bag that the laces can't get through. Let them dry naturally rather than putting them on a radiator or such.

rach_k

I would put them in a pillowcase to wash at 30 degrees. I'd use biological detergent if you have it, for whites/colours as appropriate. If they're white, you could add extra oxygen based bleach (like oxyclean, but any store brand will do) if you want them sparkly white.

You could add antibacterial laundry cleanser if you have it. Do an extra rinse at the end. Keep the spin speed low, but do an extra spin or two to get as much water out as possible.

Stuff them with newspaper or kitchen towel, or old tea-towels, and leave them to dry in a warm, dry place. Swap the paper/towels every few hours and remove it once they're nearly dry. You could hang them in front of a fan to speed it up, or put them next to a radiator. If you have a garden table in a sunny spot, you could put them outside for a bit too.

goldfinches

This is what Good Housekeeping advised last year

The secret to washing trainers in the washing machine

I've never actually tried it myself so can't tell you whether their advice was any good.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81919631#Comment_81919631

Approx following the same procedures, we have washed numerous pairs of trainers this way with no issues.

Also you can do the same with slippers that have got a bit pongy, as long as they are quite substantial good quality ones.

Grumpy_chap

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I think the method in the Good Housekeeping link is the way I'll go - that matches what the thread said in any case.

It is still raining here so I need to wait for a dry spell so that I can do the air drying outside bit.