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Original poster

People who put trainers in washing machine

63 replies

cookiesnScream · 11/01/2025 18:12

Group chat on class group a mum said she will chuck trainers in washing machine to be ready for Monday. I usually just clean with a cloth! Do people do this? I’m worried will wreck the trainers. sounds like a good idea. What do u do to clean your children’s trainers?

OP posts:
OzCalling · 11/01/2025 19:07

I don’t do it with expensive trainers or ones that I’m particularly precious about but yes, for a basic pair of Nikes/New Balance I do it quite regularly. Works a charm!

lemonchops111 · 11/01/2025 19:07

always do this… multiple times too…never damaged trainers or washing machine… after a few washes just buy new ones but i think the best advice for white trainers is to wash them then put in a brand new pair of laces… they come up like new

ClutzyBastard · 11/01/2025 19:06

TeenLifeMum · 11/01/2025 18:14

Yes, I definitely do this but you have to allow time to dry which takes a few days (although I’ve used a hair dryer before in an emergency).

There is electric inserts in Lidl for drying shoes currently.

NotTheGirlYoureLooking4 · 11/01/2025 19:06

Depends on the trainer. If I know they are machine washable (like Skechers, per PP), or if they’re so bad I’d throw them out without a wash, then yes. I usually scrub the soles first, then in a wash bag with a towel in as well to minimise banging. Once washed, they go upside down into the hot water cupboard. I then do a cycle using a washing machine cleaner to disinfect the machine.

Suzuki76 · 11/01/2025 19:06

I use an old toothbrush. Washing machine disintegrates the insoles.

2025willbemytime · 11/01/2025 19:02

I do. I have a specific wash bag for them. However, my washer was removed the other day for a fault and he told me there were stones in my machine...even though they weren't the reason it broke, I probably won't do it again.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 11/01/2025 19:01

Depends. The £180 trainers looked lovely afterwards.

I was less happy about the £85 necessary to get somebody in to replace the £49 drum seal where one of them wriggled free of the towels and tore it in half + the launderette costs whilst waiting for the replacement seal.

DollopOfFun · 11/01/2025 19:01

Sure. Not for mud, but for general grubbiness, yes.

I find they come up brighter with a dishwasher tab, rather than laundry tabs/powder etc.

Robinredguest · 11/01/2025 19:00

My washing machine has a trainers cycle. Works fine.

Drfosters · 11/01/2025 18:58

I chuck all the trainers in the washing machine - never ruined trainers to date and not broken machine as of yet. Life is too short for manky trainers! Sometimes will spray them with stain remover beforehand and I dry on radiator

TheFormidableMrsC · 11/01/2025 18:54

I've got a large old towel I use for this purpose. It also gives some friction to clean them well. I only do this with canvas/mash. Micellar water on leather or faux leather.

CheekyHobson · 11/01/2025 18:51

Thank you for reminding me to throw my trainers in the washing machine, I've been meaning to do it for a week!

Bibbitybobbity70 · 11/01/2025 18:49

My machine has a sports shoes setting, use it occasionally if weather is decent to dry outside

Supersimkin7 · 11/01/2025 18:48

Antibac spray on the insides after they come out of the machine = they’ll never smell.

DrEggman · 11/01/2025 18:48

I do when needed.

Ilovethatbear · 11/01/2025 18:44

Yes I do it. The only issue is that if the trainers bang the drum, DDog freaks out. No idea why!!

Iloveyoubut · 11/01/2025 18:43

Sprogonthetyne · 11/01/2025 18:24

I put them inside a pillow case, with some old towels to try to stop them banging around as much. I don't do it often but every now and then doesn't seem to do much harm, they probably only get 2-3 washes before DC outgrown them anyway.

Exactly what I do and yes, not often but when needed.

MereDintofPandiculation · 11/01/2025 18:43

They're quite handy in a tumble dryer when you're drying something with feathers in, say a down jacket or a pillow. Helps fluff up the feathers.

Iloveyoubut · 11/01/2025 18:42

Kago2790 · 11/01/2025 18:14

Doesn't it damage the washing machine?

Not if there’s plenty of other stuff in along with them.

BBQPete · 11/01/2025 18:37

Mind, if people are reporting in on what they are washing, on a class WhatsApp, it makes me very, very glad 'class whatsapps' weren't a thing when mine were at school.

BBQPete · 11/01/2025 18:36

Yes, I've done this when trainers look like they need sprucing up.

Obviously putting them in with some towels or similar to stop them banging about.
Like @ThinWomansBrain , I do it occasionally / once a year type thing, not on a weekly basis.

ThinWomansBrain · 11/01/2025 18:25

Yes, occasionally - I wouldn't wash them every week, more like once a year - generally I think it shortens their "life" - although at the start of last summer I had a pair of plimsoles that looked so scruffy I'd bought a replacement pair. Tried them in the washing machine and they looked so much better, I wore them all summer and the replacement pair is still new for summer 25.

I recently washed a pair of slippers - the spinning of the washing seemed much improved compared to usual, I don't know if having something heavier in the load helped keep the washing separated rather than spinning into a tight ball?

Sprogonthetyne · 11/01/2025 18:24

I put them inside a pillow case, with some old towels to try to stop them banging around as much. I don't do it often but every now and then doesn't seem to do much harm, they probably only get 2-3 washes before DC outgrown them anyway.

Allergictoironing · 11/01/2025 18:19

My Sketchers are specifically described as machine washable. Stops them getting as smelly as well as getting them clean 😀

guc · 11/01/2025 18:18

I have done it occasionally. I find it’s best to scrub the main of the crap off with pink stuff or whatever, rinse under tap and then wash in machine. Always been fine when I’ve washed them.