Can You Wash Tennis Shoes in Washing Machine
Now, don’t be a hero. Do not toss them in with a load of white towels or your favorite jeans. That’s like inviting a muddy dog into a freshly cleaned living room. Put your shoes inside a mesh laundry bag or, if you’re a rebel, an old pillowcase. Knot the top and throw it in.
Set the machine to a gentle or delicate cycle. Use cold water—hot water will warp the glue and make your shoes shrink like a wool sweater in a horror movie. And for the love of all things clean, use a small amount of mild detergent. No bleach. Bleach is the enemy of color and will turn your crisp white sneakers into a sad, jaundice-yellow memory.
How to Wash Tennis Shoes in the Washing Machine: Step-by-Step Guide
The Spin Cycle Is Your Friend, Kind Of
Yes, the gentle spin is okay. But add a second rinse to make sure all the soap suds are gone. Leftover detergent attracts dirt, which means your shoes will look dirtier after the wash than before. It’s a cruel joke, but life in the machine world is full of such ironies.
If you have a top-loading machine with an agitator in the middle, arrange your shoes so they face the center—like they’re about to square up for a low-stakes dance-off. This balances the load and reduces thumping noises that sound like your machine is having an angry tantrum.