Good advice and instructions on how to wash white sneakers
White sneakers have long ceased to be just sports shoes. They are a common addition to urban style.
Such a versatile, eye-catching, eye-catching shoe must be clean.
There are several ways to wash white sneakers thoroughly, taking into account their appearance, upper material and model feature.
Is it possible and how to wash white sneakers from dirt in an automatic washing machine, how to clean them with your hands so that there are no yellow streaks, we will tell in the article.
Content
- Preparing for washing
- Choosing a method for cleaning shoes from dirt
- In a washing machine
- Can I manually?
- Laces and insoles
- Material imposes restrictions
- How to get rid of yellow spots, what to do to avoid streaks?
- We wash the sole
- Drying properly at home
- Alternative cleaning methods
- Dry cleaning
- 10 recommendations
- Related Videos
- Conclusion
Preparing for washing
Before you wash your sneakers, you need to prepare them for cleaning.
To do this, you should:
- Pull out the laces.
- Remove the insole if it is not glued.
- Remove dirt from the sole.
Rinsing sneakers with ribbed soles may not be enough. Small stones that are stuck in it must be carefully cleaned... It is convenient to use an old toothbrush and toothpick for this.
This preprocessing is very important. It keeps excess dirt out of the water, which will wash off a white pair of shoes.
Choosing a method for cleaning shoes from dirt
After the preparatory stage, you should decide on the washing method... This can be automatic washing in a machine or manual processing. Sometimes this information is provided by the manufacturer of sneakers.
Less manual processing:
- high labor intensity of the process;
- the need to waste time.
Automatic washing is not acceptable for every pair of sneakers. You should not experiment by sending sneakers with embroidery, appliqués and other decor to the drum.
You also can't machine wash sneakers made of material that can't be wetted. Severely soiled shoes may require a prewash.
You can learn how to properly wash sneakers here.
In a washing machine
Washing in a typewriter greatly facilitates the process of shoe care. The disadvantage of this treatment is the inability to control the entire washing process, as well as the likelihood that the sneakers will be damaged.
Mode
Many washing machines have a special "sports shoes" mode... This option works best. If it is absent, it is better to choose the "delicate wash" option.
Even lightweight sneakers in the drum of a washing machine can damage household appliances and deform if spin is used.
Disabling it will help to avoid problems, as well as the obligatory disabling of the “drying” function - it is prohibited for shoes. It can cause yellow streaks to appear on white material.
Water heating temperature
You can machine wash your shoes without heating, but the best result is obtained by setting temperature indicators in the range from + 30 ° C to + 40 ° C... Higher water temperatures can deform shoes, and cold water is often ineffective in washing.
Powder VS gel
You can use all-purpose detergents to wash white fabric sneakers. But preferable are those that are designed specifically for washing white things.
You do not need to add fabric softener as it can cause stubborn stains.
Instructions
Washing procedure using a washing machine:
Prepare your shoes for washing.
- If there are spots on the surface, they must be removed.
- Place a pair in a special shoe washing bag, fasten.
- Place the bag in the drum of the washing machine.
- Load the detergent into the special compartment of the machine.
- Set the mode "shoes" or "delicate".
- Check that the water heating temperature is set to no more than + 40 ° C.
- Disable spinning and drying.
- Start a wash cycle.
A shoe washing bag is a useful thing. Such a device is significantly different from nets for clothes and linen, since it has sealing elements that protect the shoes from excessive mechanical impact on the inner surface of the drum, and the washing machine itself from shocks from the shoes.
Can I manually?
If your white sneakers need to be washed gently, the manual option is optimal. Unfortunately, even it may be unavailable if the sneakers are made of suede or the shoes are significantly damaged.
For hand washing you will need:
- pelvis;
- brush;
- powder or gel for washing;
- water.
Cleaning procedure:
- Pour warm water into the basin.
- Dissolve the detergent.
- Dip the prepared sneakers into the solution.
- Wash with a brush.
- Rinse well so that no detergent remains on the fabric.
Laces and insoles
Insoles and laces removed before washing must be washed separately. They clean well by hand washing with household soap. For a better finish, you can use a brush.
This is a necessary precaution - if the end of the lace comes off accidentally, it will not damage the washing machine. The laces and insoles can be washed more often than the shoes themselves.
Material imposes restrictions
When choosing a processing technique, the material of manufacture should be considered sneaker. In most cases, they are made from textiles. This pair can be washed both by hand and in a machine.
But some models with lacquered fragments, made of suede, with complex designer decor, cannot be washed at all. More stringent requirements apply to sneakers that are planned to be machine washed.
Textile
Fabric sneakers are comfortable summer shoes. She has a large list of advantages:
- ease;
- breathability;
- attractiveness.
But the care of a white textile pair requires more than a colored one. High-quality sneakers can be washed in a machine or by hand.
Between washings, these shoes can be cleaned with a dry brush to prevent dirt from sinking deep into the fibers.
Washing textile sneakers, it is necessary to try to avoid prolonged soaking and long washing cycle... You can find out more about washing fabric sneakers here.
Suede leather
White suede sneakers are very attractive, but at the same time easily soiled and not resistant to wet processing. It is advisable to clean these shoes dry.
Artificial leather
Leatherette sneakers cannot be machine washed. AND when handling with hands, intense friction is prohibited - the material simply will not survive it.
Leatherette sneakers should be washed only in case of significant contamination, when dry cleaning is ineffective.
Leather
In many fashion collections, sneakers are presented not only in textiles, but also in leather.
If the shoes are made of genuine leather, it is necessary to ensure the most delicate processing, without intense vigorous impact and friction.
White leather sneakers in most cases respond well to gentle cleaning with soapy water and a light brush. After drying, it is advisable to treat white leather sneakers with a special impregnation.
How to get rid of yellow spots, what to do to avoid streaks?
White is very sensitive to the rules of drying and washing. The following factors can lead to yellow stains:
- using an unsuitable detergent;
- poor rinsing after washing;
- washing and rinsing in hot water;
- use for washing dirty water;
- crumpled drying;
- drying in the open sun.
On plain white sneakers, you can try such a simple method of whitening: rub problem areas with white toothpaste, using an unnecessary toothbrush.
If white sneakers are very dirty, then washing is indispensable.
For this you will need:
- 3 tbsp. l. washing powder for white clothes;
- 2 tbsp. l. vinegar;
- 1 tbsp. l. citric acid.
Processing order:
- Mix all ingredients.
- Using an old toothbrush, rub in on the sneakers.
- Set aside for 20 minutes.
- Rinse with a brush in water.
The same composition can be used to clean white soles.
How to whiten sneakers and remove yellow spots from them, video recipe:
We wash the sole
Washing sneakers is not always effective in whitening the sole. In order for the shoes to take on a neat look, you cannot leave them unattended.
Dishwashing liquid
Ordinary dishwashing detergent or liquid soap will work to remove "time marks" from the sole and rubber sneakers. For ease of application, you can use a sponge or an old toothbrush.
White
For difficult dirt that could not be removed by other means. You can use whiteness.
It must be applied very carefully so that corrosive liquid does not get on the upper material.... A cotton swab will help to process the joint of the top with the sole as carefully as possible.
Alcohol
Medical alcohol from the pharmacy will cope with yellowed socks, soles of white sneakers. Not the entire surface can be treated with a cotton pad, but only stained areas.
Drying properly at home
Washing your sneakers correctly is half the battle. To prevent the white top from staining and the material from deforming, the shoes must be properly dried.
After washing, the sneakers are turned upside down, allowing the water to drain. For drying, choose a warm, non-damp place with good ventilation..
You can speed up the absorption of water from the sneakers by stuffing them with crumpled white paper. Newspapers cannot be used for this purpose - they are ways to paint white material with printing ink.
Can:
- drying outside, but not in the sun;
- dry in a dry place.
You can't:
- try to speed up the drying process by placing shoes near heaters, near sources of fire;
- to expose not dry sneakers in the sun;
- leave in a damp room;
- dry not flattened.
Alternative cleaning methods
There are situations when it is not possible to wash your sneakers. Alternative ways can help:
- dry cleaning;
- painting;
- dry cleaning.
Dry cleaning is a way to take care of your shoes between washes, as well as an option for cleaning sneakers, which are not recommended to be washed. With significant contamination, such care may not be sufficient, and you will have to use dry cleaning services ..
You can purchase a suitable paint in shoe stores and specialized departments.... It must be applied strictly according to the instructions that are indicated for a specific product.
If there is no time left for paint and dry cleaning, and you need to put on your sneakers right now, you will have to gently rub their top with white toothpaste. This method will give a short-term effect, but it will help in a hopeless situation.
Dry cleaning
Seeking shoe dry cleaning is sometimes the only option to save your sneakers and restore their appeal. Sneaker dry cleaners take on even the most difficult cleaning of not only sports shoes, but also boots, boots, etc.
The list of services usually includes:
- cleaning;
- restoration;
- disinfection;
- deodorization.
Depending on the model and complexity of the pollution, the cost of the cleaning service is determined. The average cost of standard cleaning will be about 1,500 rubles.
For an additional fee, it is possible to provide other services - painting, minor repairs, replacement of laces.
10 recommendations
Simple expert advice will make it easier to cope with cleaning white shoes. These recommendations include:
White sneakers should not be worn in the rain.
- After walking, it is advisable to remove the dustiness of the top of the sneaker immediately.
- For cleaning sneakers, do not use kerosene and gasoline, even in a purified form.
- Using stain removers will keep your shoes white.
- No more than 2 pairs of sneakers can be put into one load of the washing machine. Moreover, both pairs must be of the same color.
- For fabric, leather and other types of sneakers, do not use chlorine products.
- Hot water, even with short exposure, can shrink the material and deform a pair of shoes.
- If white sneakers have colored laces, then they must not only be pulled out before washing, but also processed separately.
- Black lines and marks on the white rubber toe of the sneaker can be removed with a regular school eraser.
- Hand wash sneakers should be carried out with rubber gloves.
Related Videos
Several ways to clean white sneakers are presented in the video:
Conclusion
Washing carried out according to all the rules can refresh the appearance and extend the life of your beloved couple white sneakers. For expensive sneakers with a complex non-removable decor, machine cleaning is completely excluded, and even manual cleaning will not always cope with a difficult task.
To solve the problem will help to seek help from professionals - in a sneaker-dry cleaner.