Sneakers in the washer?

[josepidal]

A bunch of friends and I took a hike through a river and you can imagine the condition our sneakers were in after we were done. One girl said that after cleaning them out, she tosses them in the washer and then the dryer. How do you guys clean abused sneakers? I couldn't quite find the old threads where this was discussed.

 

[tiecollector]

what material are the sneakers?

 

[sonick]

I went to a foam party with an old pair of Superstars. The next day they smelled sooo bad, I just left them outside for a week to let them air out. Perhaps if they're really rank, cleanse it out with some water then let it air dry for a week or so? That is if you really don't care about the condition of the sneaker anymore and just want to wear them without having them stink.

 

[sbbbjm]

i've throw my slipon vans in the washing machine bc i wear them with out socks when i wear shorts, which is quite often in the hot summer heat. i throw some detergent and baking soda in there (to deodorize) then just let them air dry sometimes i'll put more baking soda in the shoe after i take them out of the wash to absorb in last odor traces that might have been left, just depends how much effort i want to put into it that day.

i've also done it with a pair of nike shocks.

i wouldn't but them in the dryer, bc you have the potential to dry out the leather or burn the rubber, or worse shrink the uppers.

to prevent future odor problems i suggest putting foot powder or plain old baking soda in the shoes even when you're wearing them.

 

[WatchGuy]

I've washed my sneakers in the washing machine a bunch of times. I take the laces off and replace them though. For some reason they do not clean up so well - even w/ a bunch of bleach. Let them air dry.

 

[vanity]

I wash my pumas all the time. As long as they're not leather or suede, they're washer-bait.

 

[corbu]

Originally Posted by vanity

I wash my pumas all the time. As long as they're not leather or suede, they're washer-bait.
i've thrown my suede superstars in the washer and dryer a few times and never had a problem with them

 

[StevenRocks]

With fabric uppers and synthetic leather, you're fine in the washer. With leather, use sneaker cleaner. With suede, suede cleaner. In either case, let them air-dry. Dryers aren't good for sneakers.

 

[josepidal]

Originally Posted by tiecollector

what material are the sneakers?
Your basic Sambas.

I rinsed them and left them outside to air dry since I have some stuff to do and can't get to the washer just now. They, um, froze.