Do you have a pair of shoes that you just can’t seem to get clean? Or maybe you’re worried about ruining your favourite pair of sneakers. Well, don’t worry! Shoewash Supreme is here to show you the best way for how to wash shoes at home. In this blog post, we will go over how to choose the right detergent, how to avoid damage, and how to make sure your shoes are clean and fresh-smelling. So read on for all the details!
Choosing the Right Detergent
When it comes to washing shoes at home, the first thing you need to do is choose the right detergent. You don’t want to use harsh chemicals that could damage the fabric or colour of your shoes. Instead, look for a milder detergent or a shoe cleaner specifically designed for delicate materials. When in a pinch, laundry detergent or dish soap can also work. Once you’ve chosen the right detergent, it’s time to get started!
Washing Shoes by Hand
Depending on the type of shoe and its material, hand washing may be your best option. This is especially true for certain shoes made of delicate materials like suede or leather. Unless you have deep scuff marks or heavy stains and excess dirt, most sneakers such as leather shoes can be quickly cleaned with a simple hand wash. If you want to skip the headache altogether, check out Shoewash Supreme’s shoe cleaning packages.
To make the process easier from start to finish, you’ll need to gather some supplies.
What You’ll Need
- Mild laundry detergent
- Soft brush
- A bowl
- Warm water
- Old Toothbrush (Optional, though recommended)
Directions:
- To start, remove the laces from your shoes. Read our guide to learn the best ways to clean shoelaces.
- Using a soft brush, remove any loose dirt or debris trapped on your shoes surface. You can also stuff your footwear with paper towels or newspaper to help it retain its shape during the cleaning process.
- If your shoes are particularly dirty, you may need to pre-treat them with a stain remover before moving on. For effective stain removal, give at least 15 minutes for the solution to soak.
- In a bowl, mix a small amount of laundry detergent with some warm water.
- Dip your brush into the soapy water and start scrubbing the surface of your shoes. Be sure to focus on any areas with heavy staining.
- Once they’re free of dirt and grime, it’s time to rinse your shoes off with clean water.
- When finished, let your shoes sit overnight and dry in a well ventilated space to air dry. We always recommend that you avoid high heat. The drying process can take long so be patient!
That’s it! Once your shoes are completely dry, you can put the laces back in and enjoy your clean footwear. Remember that different types of materials will need a different cleaning process. For more tutorials, check out our guide for how to clean Vessi’s.
How to Wash Suede Shoes at Home
If your shoes are made of suede, you’ll need to take a few extra precautions when cleaning them. Suede is a delicate material that can easily be damaged, so it’s important to be gentle when scrubbing and avoid using any harsh chemicals or detergents.
What You’ll Need
- Water
- Soft brush or old toothbrush
- Suede brush
- White vinegar (Optional)
- Mild laundry detergent (Optional)
Directions:
- To start, remove the laces from your shoes.
- Gently wipe your shoes with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris.
- Using a damp cloth or paper towel, gently blot the suede in one direction until the stain lifts. You may need to do this a few times for tough stains.
- If you’re still having trouble removing the stain, you can try using vinegar or mild laundry detergent. Just be sure to test these solutions on a small area of your shoe first to avoid any damage.
- Once the stain is gone, use a suede brush to lift the nap and restore the suede’s natural texture.
- Let your shoes dry completely in a well ventilated space before wearing them again.
Washing Shoes in the Washing Machine
For a deeper clean, you may need to wash your shoes in the washing machine. This is perfectly fine for most sneakers, as long as you take a few precautions first.
Please note, not all footwear is washing machine safe and we recommend that you check the care label before throwing your shoes in a washing machine. If you are unsure about the material of your sneakers, you can give our cleaning, repair and restoration services a try!
Additionally, we recommend using liquid detergent as powder detergent may not dissolve properly even during the wash cycle.
What You’ll Need
- Mesh garment bag
- Liquid Detergent
- Dirty shoes
- Washing machine
- Heavy stain remover
- Toothbrush
Directions
- To start, remove your shoelaces. We recommend that you wash them separately in a mesh garment bag.
- Next, remove excess dirt trapped on the surface of your shoes with a soft brush.
- If there are heavy stains on your shoes, pre-treat them with a enzyme based stain remover. Using a tooth brush, apply the solution to the stained area and work gently. Let it soak for a minimum of 15 minutes to ensure effective treatment.
- When machine washing your footwear, we always recommend putting them into a mesh laundry bag. This will help to protect them from getting damaged in the washing machine. You can also stuff the inside with paper towels to help absorb excess moisture.
- Use the delicate or gentle cycle on your machine and set it to cold water. Always use a cold water cycle as hot water as this can damage certain materials like leather. Pro Tip: Wash sneakers with a few old towels to keep them from banging around too much.
- Once the cycle is complete, take your shoes out of the mesh bag and air dry them in a ventilated area.
- Once finished, take your dry shoes and lace them up!
What Types of Shoes Can I Machine Wash?
In most cases, canvas shoes, running shoes and athletic shoes made of nylon, cotton and polyester are safe to wash in a washing machine. We do not recommend machine washing suede shoes or other delicate materials. To learn more, read our guide on other mistakes to avoid when cleaning shoes.
Can I Use a Tumble Dryer?
We never recommend you to use tumble drying after throwing shoes in the washing machine as this can damage your shoes depending on the material. However, if you are in desperate need always be sure to check the care instructions before proceeding.
How to Remove Stains at Home
It’s important to treat stains fast – but what do you do when you’re caught without stain remover? If you’re looking for how to remove stains at home, there are a few simple tricks you can use.
For coffee or tea stains, mix one part white vinegar with two parts water. Apply the solution to the affected area and scrub gently with a toothbrush. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off with clean water.
For mud stains, let the mud dry completely before brushing it off with a dry cloth. If there’s any residue left behind, mix one part baking soda with two parts water to form a paste. Rub the paste onto the stained areas and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing away with clean water.
Conclusion
Washing your shoes at home is a great way to keep them looking their best. Just be sure to use the appropriate method for your type of shoe and never put delicate shoes in the washing machine.
With a little care, your shoes will last longer and stay looking newer for longer. We hope that you found this article helpful and thanks for reading Shoewash Supreme’s guide for how to wash shoes at home! For more shoe cleaning tips, check out our guide for washing Air Force 1s.
Tags: shoe cleaning
