You can, however, wash your laces with your shoes in the washing machine, but doing so with your insoles will leave them water-logged for days.
Another way to clean your laces is to simply put or pin them inside a pillowcase, or tie their ends together, and throw them in the washer. This will keep them from getting stuck in the washer’s drainage holes. [2] X Research source [3] X Research source If the laces are white and the shoes are colored, to get the laces as bright as possible you could wash them separately in a normal wash along with other white laundry.
If your insoles still smell, enclose them in a bag with baking soda, shake it around evenly, and leave them overnight. [5] X Research source If your insoles still smell, soak them for a few hours in a 2:1 mixture of vinegar and water. Then soak them a while in a mixture of warm water, baking soda, and an essential oil, such as tea tree or pine oil. [6] X Research source
Clean off other marks (e. g. from plastic areas) using a brush with warm water, and/or cream cleaner on a cloth or paper towel. If a brush doesn’t clean all the nooks and crannies, you may need to use a toothpick or cotton swab (Q-tip). [7] X Research source
To wash your laces in the washing machine at the same time, tie the ends together and put them inside the pillowcase with your shoes. You can also substitute a mesh bag in place of a pillowcase.
Make sure the towels are old because new towels have lint and dye that might stain your sneakers![9] X Research source Sneakers and shoes made with rubber fabric can be cleaned in a washing machine. [10] X Expert Source Penny SimmonsShoe Care Specialist Expert Interview. 19 November 2020. However, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions first, as companies such as Nike recommend hand-washing only.
If you add pine oil, the product should be at least 80% pine oil. [12] X Research source
Stuffing your shoes with paper towels or newspapers will help them dry faster as well as maintain their shape. [15] X Research source Place your shoes (and laces and insoles) in a moderately lit place to dry. Do not put them somewhere hot (e. g. near a radiator) or in direct sunlight, as this may damage the shoes. It may take several hours or even a couple days for your shoes to dry completely, so plan ahead![16] X Research source If you’re in a rush and need to use the dryer, wrap your shoes in a towel and set the dryer to “delicate,” checking periodically to make sure your shoes are not getting too warm. [17] X Research source
For tougher-stained areas, let the cleaning solution set for a few minutes, then scrub it away. [20] X Research source Scrub down rubber parts of the shoe with a toothbrush. [21] X Expert Source Penny SimmonsShoe Care Specialist Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
Putting your shoes in the dryer is not advisable, as the dryer can warp the soles of your shoes. [22] X Research source
Another, neater method of odor removal is to put the product in a sachet and to place the sachet in your shoe. You can create your own sachet using a pair of pantyhose: put the product inside and tie or rubber band it closed. [24] X Research source
You should spray suede protector on new suede shoes and after every time you clean them, as this will make them more resilient to stains and will make it easier to clean in the future. Never put suede or leather shoes in the washing machine. [25] X Expert Source Penny SimmonsShoe Care Specialist Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
