How to wash trainers in a washing machine

Trainers take a beating, especially if you’re going on runs and long walks in the winter.

Not only do trainers get filthy on the outside, they can be smelly and bacteria-ridden on the inside.

You need to clean and deodorise your shoes every now and then to get rid of harmful germs and nasty smells.

How to wash trainers in a washing machine

If your trainers are covered in dirt and mud, you’ll need to brush this off before you wash them.

Use a dry, soft brush to get rid of dust, sand, mud, and any other surface grime.

Be as thorough as you can to make the washing process easier.

Check the soles of the trainers too, as chewing gum and stones often get stuck between the grips.

Loose stones and chewing gum could damage your washing machine, so you need to be 100 percent sure you’ve cleared the soles.

Next, it’s time to check if your trainers are machine washable.

Check the label to find out if they are, but most modern trainers will be suitable for the machine.

No matter what pair of trainers you are washing, you’re probably safest to wash them on a cold cycle.

Take out the laces and machine wash them separately to the shoes themselves.

Put trainers into a laundry bag to protect the machine and the trainers from bumps and scrapes.

If you want to be extra careful, add some towels, jeans, or sturdy bedding to the wash- this wall also makes the cycle less noisy!

If your trainers aren’t machine-washable, you can wash them by hand.

All you need is a sponge, a large bowl of warm water, and some washing powder.

Start by wiping the waterproof parts of the shoe first, and then give the interior a good scrub.

Change the water, add some more detergent and squeeze out the sponge before going over these areas again if stains and odours linger.

Next, tackle the more delicate areas such as the tongue of the trainer and main body of the shoe.

Once the shoes seem clean and smell fresh, use a soft cloth and wipe away all traces of detergent with clean water.

Most shoes cannot be put in the tumble dryer, so leave them to dry outside if it isn’t rainy outside.

If you don’t have access to a safe space outdoors, leave the trainers in a warm, dry area where there’s good airflow.

Stuffing the shoes with clean newspaper will speed up the process because it will absorb the moisture.

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