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Q: My son's sneakers always get so dirty in summer. Can I launder them in the washing machine?
A: Most shoe manufacturers discourage machine washing sneakers. Some detergents and the machine's agitation may damage many leathers and adhesives. But, some shoes can be cleaned in your washing machine. Your best bet is to read and follow the care instructions inside the sneaker. If there are no instructions, here are some basic instructions for cleaning most canvas and nylon sneakers by hand:
- Remove the laces and inserts. Place them in a laundry bag and throw them in with your regular laundry or wash them separately by hand with detergent.
- Rinse sneakers with clean water.
- Use a gentle laundry detergent and a soft brush to scrub your shoes and remove scuff marks. Do not use bleach, solvents, harsh chemicals, or abrasives.
- Rinse entire shoe well with clean water.
- Let sneakers dry naturally. Don't place them in direct sunlight or use the dryer.
- Stuff sneakers with white paper towels to keep the shape. Don't use newspaper as it will transfer to most fabrics.
- Wait until sneakers are completely dry before placing liners back in and before wearing them.