Nothing bothers me more than when my kids say then need new shoes for school when they have perfectly good shoes in their closet. Sometimes all they need is a really good clean up. So today I’m teaching you how to wash tennis shoes in the washing machine. Hopefully it will save you some money this year while school shopping.
Washing your tennis shoes in the washing machine can give new life to your shoes and make them feel new again. I went to girls camp this summer and I couldn’t find my old tennis shoes to bring with, so I had to wear my new shoes, and they really did get dirty!
Yuck! I didn’t really want to wear them after that. Not only were they dirty, but they were stinky too, from the campfire. So I decided to whip out the Shout and give them a good squirt. I’d say that using Shout is the #1 factor on getting your shoes clean again. I tried to wash my daughters shoes without using Shout and they didn’t come out as clean.
1. Squirt the shoes with Shout. I really think the Shout Advanced Action Cleaning Gel works the best. If you have a spot that really looks like it might stain, squirt some Shout on it and scrub it with the soft side of the sponge to work the Shout into it.
2. Remove the laces and put them in a pillow case.
3. Set the washing machine to delicates and warm water. Start the washing machine and add a scoopful of soap to the running water.
4. Add at least 3 towels, the pillow case with your laces in it, then add your shoes and a few more towels on top.
5. Wash on a normal wash cycle.
Remove the shoes and the laces and them them air dry. Dry the towels in the dryer.
You’re done!
What is the most unusual thing you’ve washed in your washing machine?
They look amazing after washing them! Thanks for sharing your cleaning tips. I have a few pairs of shoes that need some attention. Is there a reason to let them air dry?
The heat of the dryer will shrink them.
You’re right Cheryl, that’s why I said to air dry the shoes and dry the towels in the dryer.
I’ve washed my husband’s hats in the dishwasher, but I don’t think I’ve put anything too unusual in the washer. Good tips. Everyone swears by dish soap and peroxide for stains, but I was pretty underwhelmed by it. It got out some of them, but definitely not all.
Thanks for the tips Adrian!
Do you use warm, hot or cold water?
I used warm water. Hot might shrink the material and I don’t think cold would clean well enough.
Thanks for sharing this great tip, I can’t believe my tennis shoes can be cleaned by a washing machine like this.
How do you keep the sneakers from floating? I have washed many a pair with all sorts of things to keep them below the waterline, and they always float.
I put them in the washer with towels and that seems to help.
Can you wash more than one pair of shoes at a time?
Yes, that would work just fine!
Can I wash them in any type of washing machine?
Yes, any machine will work.
How long does it take the shoes to air dry?
I’d give them at least 6 hours.
Can you use a top load washing machine with a middle agitator? Like a 10yr old one?
Yes that’s what I used.
Do I put the shoes and laces in a pillow case or just the laces?
Hi Jules, just the laces go in the pillowcase so they don’t get wound around everything.
Thank you kindly for sharing your easy to follow instructions