How to Wash Leather and Mesh Sneakers

It is best to periodically wash sneakers before they start taking on an odor that might never wash away. You can easily wash leather and mesh sneakers – a very popular walking shoe combination – right in your home washing machine.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Remove the strings and the inner-sole pad.
   
   Tip for shoe strings: Taking shoe strings out of the shoes, or putting them back in, can be challenging if the plastic cap on the string is damaged. Though removing the strings to launder separately is better to prevent the strings from becoming entangled during the wash cycle, you can leave the strings in. Here are two options: Shown in the orange trim sneaker, the strings were loosened, but left within the shoe. On the white sneaker, the strings have been almost completely removed, and then the strings were looped into a slip knot. In both cases, the strings came clean in the wash without getting tangled.

2. 
    

   Set the washing machine to the fill level necessary for number of pairs of sneakers you are washing. Run hot water and set the cycle of the washing machine for medium length and gentle cycle. Drop in the sneakers and the inner-sole pads, taking care to evenly distribute the sneakers around the agitator.

3. Based on the water level used, add slightly less than the designated amount of laundry detergent recommended on the bottle/box. Add ¼ cup vinegar for a small wash or ½ cup vinegar for a medium level wash load.

4. 
    

   While the sneakers are washing, soak the shoe strings (if you completely removed them) in a small container (like a measuring cup) with a few drops of detergent and a few teaspoons of bleach in warn to hot water.

5. When the washing machine cycle finishes, remove the sneakers and the inner-soles. If desired, any remaining spots on the leather or the side rim of the sole can be rubbed off with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

6. Rinse the strings until the water runs clear.

7. Place the sneakers and strings in a location where there is sufficient air circulation, like in an open window, outdoors, or near a fan/air vent.

8. When all are dry, insert inner-sole pads and re-string.

Tips & Warnings

• If desired, sprinkle baking soda inside the sneaker before inserting the inner-sole. Shake the sneaker to evenly distribute the baking soda. Sprinkle additional baking soda after inserting the inner-sole.

[momofour]

on 8/16/2008 Great advise! Another tip, stuff newspaper in the shoes each night to soak up any bad smells.