How to Wash Used Tennis Shoes
If properly cared for, tennis shoes can last for years. The soles of a pair of tennis shoes usually show only light wear even when the upper parts of the shoes look old and stained. Though many people discard their tennis shoes when they look worn and dirty, it is possible to clean shoes so that they look almost new again. Washing tennis shoes can also banish a bad odor. Cleaning tennis shoes is important for preventing athlete's foot and other bacterial infections. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Remove the shoe laces. You can wash these by hand in detergent and hot water.
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Brush dirt off of the canvas and rubber parts of the shoes with the shoe brush. Use firm pressure and remove any particles, even from the soles of the shoes. Dirt on the soles can migrate to the upper part of the shoes during washing.
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3
Pour a small amount of detergent onto a paper towel. Dab the detergent onto all stains and scuffs on the shoes. Allow the detergent to soak into the shoes for at least 30 minutes.
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4
Put tennis shoes into the washing machine with the towel and detergent. The towel will reduce the noise of the washing machine tumbling the tennis shoes. Use the same amount of detergent you would normally use for a half-sized load.
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5
Put the tennis shoes out to dry in the sun. If you cannot let them dry outside, put them in a well-ventilated indoor space on several paper towels.
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Tips & Warnings
Bleach can help restore white tennis shoes and fight bacterial growth.
Do not place tennis shoes in the dryer.
Leather tennis shoes may crack when washed.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit old tennis shoe image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com
