Instructions for Hand Washing and Machine Washing Your Running Shoes

1. 1

   Use a shoe brush to remove the crusted dirt from the bottoms. Cleaning up after washing shoes is a pain, so it's best to get rid of as much dirt as possible beforehand. Use the brush to rub the soles of the shoes to loosen and remove any stubborn dirt or debris. [1]

   • The rubber components of a shoe can be easily cleaned with an old toothbrush. [2]
   • Runners with wet mud on their shoes have two options: either rinse it off with water before heading out, or wait for it to dry and brush it off.

2. 2

   Take off your shoes and scrub the laces with a toothbrush and soapy water. In a bowl, combine a small amount of mild laundry detergent and hot water. Towel off your shoes and remove the laces. Scrub the laces gently with a toothbrush dipped in soapy water to get rid of dirt and stains. [3]

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3. 3

   To clean the insoles, use a microfiber cloth and soapy water. Take out the shoe inserts and set them on a fresh towel. Cleaning your shoes' insoles is as easy as dipping a corner of a cloth into some detergent-water and wiping them down in a circular motion. The insoles should be washed both sides, so after you've finished cleaning the tops, flip them over. [4]

   • Pay special attention to the areas around the feet's extremities, as that is where dirt and odors tend to accumulate.

4. 4

   Remove dirt and grime from your footwear using soapy water and a brush. Soak a cleaning brush in your detergent solution and use it to gently scrub the shoe's entire surface. [5] Pay special attention to any spots where dirt, stains, or other residue remains and work to remove it completely. Make sure to rub the detergent deep into the fabric to eliminate stains and odors. [6]

   • Use a melamine sponge to buff away any sole scratches.

5. 5

   Get a sponge and some water, and give your shoes a good rinsing. In order to remove any remaining detergent from your shoes, wet a clean sponge with clean water and rub them in a circular motion. If you want to get all the soap out of your shoes without damaging the leather, insoles, or laces, you'll need to keep rewetting the sponge as it dries out. [7]

   • While washing your shoes, run your finger over the soles every so often. Soapy residue or suds indicate that you need to keep soaking your shoes in the sponge.

6. 6

   Put newspaper crumples in your footwear. Prepare a tight ball of newspaper and stuff it as far as you can into each of your shoes. Your shoes will stay in better shape and smell better after using newspaper to absorb any excess moisture and eliminate any lingering odors. [8]

   • White shoes may become discolored or marked by newspaper ink. If you must wear white shoes, use a microfiber towel inside them.

7. 7

   Your shoes, laces, and insoles will dry faster if you leave them somewhere with plenty of air circulation. Separate the laces and insoles from the shoes to air dry [9] Dry your shoes completely by leaving them in a fan-ventilated room for several hours or overnight. [10]

   • Keep your shoes out of the dryer or the sun, as the high temperatures could damage the glue or foam inside.

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1. 1

   Make sure your footwear can be washed in a machine by checking the label. While hand washing is recommended for most shoes, you can try machine washing your running shoes if they have a simple design. [11] Check the washing instructions on the care label that's sewn into the shoe's tongue to see if it can be machine washed. [12]

   • Washing running shoes made of cotton, nylon, or polyester is usually safe.
   • Avoid damaging your expensive running shoes by washing them by hand, even if you're not sure if they can go in the washing machine.

2. 2

   Use a brush to remove the grit and grime from your shoes. Use a dry cleaning brush to remove any dirt or debris that has settled to the surface, paying special attention to the areas in and around the treads and the soles. It may be necessary to use a toothpick or an old toothbrush to scrape out stubborn, compacted dirt. [13]

3. 3

   Take out the shoelaces and the insoles. To remove your shoes, undo the laces and gently pull them out. In order to give your shoes a more thorough cleaning, remove the insoles. [14]

4. 4

   Put your shoe insoles and shoelaces in a soft bag or a pillowcase. You shouldn't just throw your shoes in the washing machine, as this could cause them to get tangled up and possibly get damaged. Put your shoe's parts in a pillowcase or other zipped bag so they won't get lost in the washing machine. [15]

   • Avoid washing your non-fabric gel or custom insoles in the washing machine and instead hand wash them in soapy water.

5. 5

   Wash them with some old towels and the shoe insoles and laces. If your shoes are bouncing around in the washing machine, they may get damaged or make a lot of noise. To protect your shoes during the wash, stuff a couple of old towels inside the washing machine's shoe bag. [16]

6. 6

   Use a mild detergent and the cold setting on the washing machine. Depending on your washing machine, you can either pour the detergent into the dispenser or straight into the drum. Using cold water and the delicate cycle, start the washing machine. Less wear and tear will be done to your shoes thanks to the delicate cycle. [17]

   • It's best to stick to cold water when washing your running shoes, as hot water can weaken the glue that holds the soles to the upper.

7. 7

   Put newspaper inside your shoes and let them dry naturally. Get some newspaper and crumple it up into balls the size of your running shoes. In order to absorb the moisture, stuff the newspaper balls into the toes of your shoes. The next step is to place the shoes in a well-ventilated area with a fan and wait for them to dry, which should take about 12 hours. [18]

   • Dry your shoes in the dryer on the lowest heat setting if the label says you can. [19]

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