Gransnet forums

House and home

Should I put my trainers in the washing machine?

(43 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.

karmalady Sun 30-Jul-23 14:53:59

my machine has a trainers setting, I pop them in a net bag and they come out very clean

Chardy Sun 30-Jul-23 14:58:30

I used to put DS's trainers in the wash regularly (30°C?). I still put my Sketchers in, in fact they now advertise that they're washable.

LaCrepescule Sun 30-Jul-23 15:02:39

Ha ha have just done it! I had to get into the river to get my dog and they were filthy! Have always done this, just select a hand wash and the contact with the drum is minimal.

BlueBelle Sun 30-Jul-23 15:10:06

No need to do one at a time singingnutty just bung them all in I ve had two or more pairs in before now 30 degrees slow spin no probs

LOUISA1523 Sun 30-Jul-23 16:50:22

I put loads of footwear in the washing machine....my white converse come up good as new....trainers, crocs, aqua shoes....even wellies on occasion....never had any issues

5beam2 Thu 03-Aug-23 14:26:26

I was ready to demote my black Sketchers to garden shoes, they were looking really tatty. My friend said to wash them, I removed the inner soles and put them, together with the shoes into a net bag. 30° quick wash, they came out looking like new! and felt more comfortable

MayBee70 Thu 03-Aug-23 14:33:18

On the Sort your life out programme they advised to put the insoles in the freezer in a ziplock bag to kill any bacteria and to clean white soles with nail varnish remover. I’d be loathe to do the latter but the one they used to demonstrate it came up like new.

Sar53 Thu 03-Aug-23 15:31:27

I put mine in a laundry bag together with a few other bits and do them on a shortish wash. They come out lovely and clean and don't take long to dry.

SachaMac Thu 03-Aug-23 15:38:15

I wipe my white trainers over then put them inside a pillow case and wash with some old white towels on a quick wash @ 30. They come up lovely but I have noticed they seem to get dirtier much quicker since they’ve been washed. I assume some protective coating has been removed in the process.

AreWeThereYet Thu 03-Aug-23 17:35:06

I assume some protective coating has been removed in the process.

SachaMac I think you are probably right. I bought some spray from Deichman that I use after they are dry - helps keep them a bit water and mud repellant. Don't really know if it helps that much but we bought it two years ago for our walking boots so might as well use it 😁

Fleur20 Thu 03-Aug-23 17:48:29

I put trainers in a net bag and load them in with towels.. also rucksacks... and the mat from inside the shower.. as long as there is other stuff to balance the load ...it works perfectly...

Grammaretto Thu 03-Aug-23 18:37:34

Rucksacks? fleur20 seriously

MayBee70 Thu 03-Aug-23 18:46:24

I just have several pairs of trainers. The walking the dog ones get so mucky it’s hardly worth cleaning them so I have my other ones to slip on if I’m eg going to the shops. I do change the insoles quite a lot though as I need cushioned ones. Skechers are a problem because the insoles don’t come out and they’re useless for walking on the beach as I can’t get all the sand out.

maddyone Thu 03-Aug-23 18:51:48

I put all my pairs of Skechers in the washing machine. Sometimes just the shoes, sometimes with other things. Always on a delicate setting though. But obviously I wouldn’t put leather trainers or shoes in the washing machine.

Sidelined Thu 03-Aug-23 19:42:36

How long do they take to dry?

maddyone Thu 03-Aug-23 20:32:09

Depends on the weather. If it’s summer and sunny they dry in a day, but I then put them in the airing cupboard to finish completely. If it’s winter and you’re drying indoors, a couple of days. I don’t put them on a fast spin, just a slow one, so they’re quite wet when they come out.

Dickens Thu 03-Aug-23 20:37:52

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 .😮

... never mind the new washer - were your sons OK? grin