cross-posted from: https://linux.community/post/1079067
after running under the rain for 30 minutes my white sneakers had a foul stench. I tried disinfectant and washing them with soap and water and lots of rubbing and sunlight to dry.
While that got rid of most of the smell, my white sneakers are now brownish, specially around the shoelaces.
I’ve never washed sneakers in the washing machine. Am I going to ruin them?
Literally just pulled my daughter’s high tops out of the washer. We unlace them and put them in a zippered laundry bag (cheap at most stores that sell Landry soap, look near the clothespins in the cleaning aisle) with the laced. Wash shoes alone with regular soap and a small amount of oxiclean on gentle with an extra rinse, cool water, smallest load. They finished looking very nice and we usually let shoes dry sitting out in the air on a towel for a day or 2 before wearing.
Shoeshiners exist for a reason. There’s a science to cleaning shoes.
that reason is not sneakers
I thought sneakers were shoes.
Airplanes are vehicles, yet it won’t do you much good to take them to a car mechanic.
you’d think it doesn’t need to be said because it’s obvious, but i speak from experience that it does need to be said: make sure you don’t put them into an agitation based washer; impeller or tumble washers ONLY!
(or atleast use a laundry bag if you have only have access to an agitation washer)
and air dry them IN THE SUN!!!
Yes, you can wash sneakers in the washer. Delicate, cold, small amount of detergent, laces out (Dan!) and in a laundry bag or the pair entirely in a bag laundry bag.
You can wash with other sneakers but I wouldn’t wash with clothes.
Consider getting a boot/mitt/hat dryer (like the ones at Costco). Very handy for quick drying and no mold, bacteria, fungi stink. I use mine all year round for this and weather related needs.
Note that the fabric on the soles might let go over time. The glue isn’t so strong.
Did it once after some cats pissed on them, and they started smelling 1% worse than they did from my feet alone. They ended up bent and unusable.
Note: This was probably my own fault. It was before I learned how to properly use a washing machine, so it wouldn’t surprise me if I selected too high of a temperature. I also dumble dried them, and I have no idea if that was good for them either.