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Should I put my trainers in the washing machine?

(42 Posts)
singingnutty Sun 30-Jul-23 11:38:33

I have two pairs of trainers that really need sprucing up. I have heard that people put them in the washing machine and they come out rejuvenated. If anyone has done this please can you tell me if there are any downsides to this - I worry particularly that the washer drum might be damaged by uneven loading.

Lona Sun 30-Jul-23 11:41:20

I've done this for years without mishap. If you're worried about your machine stick a couple of towels in with them for balance.

ParlorGames Sun 30-Jul-23 11:42:04

Personally, I would google the brand and enquire that way. I have never put mine in the washing machine for the reason of uneven loading and potential damage to the machine.

I hand wash mine paying attention to grimy areas where I use a soft nail brush, rinse well and dry outside - best to remove the inner soles for drying too.

dragonfly46 Sun 30-Jul-23 11:42:31

I do all the time - I only need to do a short half hour cold wash and they come up like new.

Georgesgran Sun 30-Jul-23 11:43:15

I wash mine and others too, but I put them in with other stuff to balance the load.
Check yours are washable though.

tanith Sun 30-Jul-23 11:46:41

I put mine in with an old bath towel they come up like new.

hulahoop Sun 30-Jul-23 11:52:46

I put my sons in once I put them with towels ,unfortunately one of them hit the door with force broke the door and landed on the floor followed by water, needed a new washer, door couldn't be mended .😮

Foxygloves Sun 30-Jul-23 11:55:33

Towels and inside a pillow case or laundry bag. (Of course not if they are leather.)
If you're asking - its probably time!

Foxygloves Sun 30-Jul-23 11:56:47

hulahoop

I put my sons in once I put them with towels ,unfortunately one of them hit the door with force broke the door and landed on the floor followed by water, needed a new washer, door couldn't be mended .😮

Don't try this at home guys - do NOT put your sons in the washing machine gringringrin

grandtanteJE65 Sun 30-Jul-23 11:57:22

The only time I washed a pair having been assured by my son that he washed his with no problems at all, mine lost their soles and were only fit to be thrown out!

So I don't advise it.

Germanshepherdsmum Sun 30-Jul-23 11:58:15

🤣🤣🤣

Serendipity22 Sun 30-Jul-23 11:58:54

I have done this for years .... my washer has remained intact ( hahaha ) All i would say is there will be more noise coming from the washer than there would be if soft items were whizzing round but thats all. Open the door and pull out brand spanking new trainers 😃

Charleygirl5 Sun 30-Jul-23 12:04:11

I read yesterday that washing shoes in a machine damage the machine so not the best idea.

You could of course go to a laundrette but put them in with a load. Cheaper than buying a new pair.

BlueBelle Sun 30-Jul-23 12:08:04

Yes have done it for years they just go in with my wash obviously they are not mud caked filthy filthy but go in with my towels and less important washing items and always have come out spanking new
My daughter does it as well never had a problem

Farmor15 Sun 30-Jul-23 12:15:51

I've done it for years - put in with mixed wash 40 deg, never damaged machine or shoes. Stuff with newspaper when they come out to help dry and shape

Theexwife Sun 30-Jul-23 12:32:53

I have always done it, the washing machine I have now has settings for ‘sport shoes’ I think it just does a slower spin, I use the gentle cycle it is shorter.

Jzpap Sun 30-Jul-23 12:43:34

I’ve always done this, even if they have leather uppers and they come out like new. I’ve washed Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Hoff, ASICS etc and they’ve all been fine to the point I only buy second hand trainers from Vinted or eBay now, then machine wash them. My last ones were New Balance that are £95 new but I paid £8 for used good condition ones then machine washed them. So comfy!! The hard part is drying them. Ok in warm sunny weather but otherwise they need to be dried over a radiator unless someone has an easier idea?

Blondiescot Sun 30-Jul-23 12:46:17

Foxygloves

hulahoop

I put my sons in once I put them with towels ,unfortunately one of them hit the door with force broke the door and landed on the floor followed by water, needed a new washer, door couldn't be mended .😮

Don't try this at home guys - do NOT put your sons in the washing machine gringringrin

When mine used to play football (he was a goalkeeper), he'd come home covered from head to toe in mud - there was many a time I wished I could have just shoved him and his football kit in the washing machine!

AreWeThereYet Sun 30-Jul-23 13:38:19

I've always washed my Hotter shoes and trainers in the machine. I put other things in with them so they don't fly around the machine and don't use a really fast spin cycle. Whether they come out rejuvenated depends on what is wrong with them to begin with. Sometimes I mix a paste of bicarb/ water/washing up liquid and scrub that on with a toothbrush then brush it off when dry.

singingnutty Sun 30-Jul-23 13:46:43

Thanks for all the advice. It was DH who suggested to 'ask Gransnet'! The swift replies prompted me to give it a try so I put in one shoe, along with a towel and washed on cold for half an hour. Came out brilliantly clean. I've done the other one as well now and they are outside on the porch to dry. The machine did take a while hesitating with one minute to go presumably trying to get the contents distributed in the drum. For the other pair, still one at a time, I will set the machine to do a slower spin. What a triumph. Thanks to all who replied! They will be ready to go on holiday in a few days time.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 30-Jul-23 13:58:38

I put trainers in a bowl of soapy water, let them soak for a bit then give them a gentle scrub. No worries about damage to washing machine and quicker.

LadyStardust Sun 30-Jul-23 14:10:24

Ive put handbags in the washer in the past with great results. Yes leather ones! Just choose a gentle wash. I've also put my kids school bags/rucksacks in there too. Football boots, trainers and even a pair of walking shoes once! The dog cowers when he sees me loading up the washing machine. grin

sharon103 Sun 30-Jul-23 14:24:03

Foxygloves

hulahoop

I put my sons in once I put them with towels ,unfortunately one of them hit the door with force broke the door and landed on the floor followed by water, needed a new washer, door couldn't be mended .😮

Don't try this at home guys - do NOT put your sons in the washing machine gringringrin

LOL

shysal Sun 30-Jul-23 14:49:50

I wash trainers and all my Skechers slip-ons in the machine with some big old towels, using a 30C short program. Those with removable insoles I take out but include in the wash, then dry outside or, in the winter, upside down on a radiator. They come up as new. Never had a failure.
I wish so many Skechers shoes didn't have white soles, as they are always grubby!

Norah Sun 30-Jul-23 14:50:36

I scrub bottoms of my trainers with a brush whilst I shower, that done, I put them on and scrub the uppers - water falling all round. Take trainers off, wash my feet, scrub shower, leave trainers to dry. Easy!

However, I always clean the shower whilst finishing showering - I keep the sprays at the ready, trainers are just one bit to our shower routine.