How to wash converse sneakers in the washing machine

Comfort, strength and durability, combined with a cute and neat look - these are the characteristics that Converse sneakers have. But, unfortunately, the textiles from which they are made have one negative property - they often get dirty, so when buying Converse you need to be prepared for the inevitable frequent washing. Can Converse be washed in the washing machine?

How to do this correctly so as not to spoil good shoes? What to do with white sneakers? There are many questions. However, there is no need to get upset and give up choosing a brand - all questions have answers. The main thing is to listen to the advice given and follow the instructions.

Can Converse sneakers be washed in the washing machine?

Converse can be washed in a washing machine with virtually no risks if you organize the washing process correctly. Machine washing is not only less troublesome than hand washing, but also allows the shoes not to lose their original qualities.When washed by hand, shoes may fade or become deformed, which is caused by long soaking in warm water with washing powder.

But not everything is so simple! You should not resort to washing if it is not the original Converse, but a cheaper and lower quality fake. It is unlikely that such shoes will remain in the same tone (if at all) - they will not change color and will not come apart. It is better to carefully clean such “non-genuine” items with a brush or rinse them in cold water without excessive amounts of detergent, but do not allow them to get into the washing machine.

Preparing for washing

Proper care of your sneakers can be considered an important step in preparing for washing, which will make the task much easier. For this it is enough:

Clean your soles regularly after walking;
immediately remove emerging local contamination;
do not store unwashed Converse in the winter - subsequently there is a chance that you will not wash them at all;
during long-term storage, it is recommended to tightly stuff white paper towels inside (in extreme cases, white paper) to prevent deformation.

If you follow the storage rules, you will not need to resort to execution in the washing machine too often.

When directly preparing for washing, you need to remember: if you just throw your sneakers into the washing machine and start it, nothing good will come of it. To avoid disastrous consequences, before starting washing:

the insoles are removed - they should be washed separately by hand, otherwise shrinkage or deformation will occur;
the laces are pulled out - a separate hand wash is also provided for them, because rust forms at the points of contact with the metal grommet, which will be very difficult to remove, or they can be pulled in by the drum;
clean the sole from dust and dirt, wash heavily soiled fabric areas and clean with a soft brush;
in order not to harm the washing machine, it is safest to place the sneakers in a loose old pillowcase or a special mesh bag;
It is advisable not to wash Converse “alone”, but to load some soft, non-fading fabric items with them - this way they will not hit the drum too much with their thick soles.

Important! To ensure that the result does not turn out to be unexpected, you need to take into account the individual characteristics of your sneakers - color, degree of dirt and state of wear. If there are tearing parts on the shoes, machine washing is contraindicated.

Technology for washing Converse sneakers in a washing machine?

Converse sneakers are as easy to wash as any textile item. The only difference is the presence of “foreign” elements, which determines only the drying process and does not affect the other stages. The technology for washing Converse depends, first of all, on their color and degree of soiling. Depending on these indicators, preparation methods and some washing details vary.

How to wash Converse in a washing machine and with what?

Not only the result of cleaning from dirt, but also the safety of the shoes as a whole depends on the choice of the appropriate mode and detergent. In order not to cause harm, you need to follow the rules:

The optimal program for washing Converse is a short wash (or hand wash), but it will be even better if you opt for a delicate wash: the rotation of the drum will be smoother, which will avoid strong shocks;
optimal water temperature – 30-40 ⁰C: at this temperature, the risk of damage to the color and rubber elements of the sneakers is eliminated;
It is strictly forbidden to use bleaching agents (even for white shoes) - the fabric component will fade or turn yellow, which cannot be corrected later;
the use of ordinary universal powder is allowed, however, colored Converse will feel better if you use powder products or gels with a special “Color” marking;
as a rule, they do not resort to spinning, and if they resort to it in the absence of time for long-term drying, a strong spin is not allowed: a maximum of 600 revolutions;
Under no circumstances should you dry your sneakers using a washing machine - high temperatures will negatively affect the rubber elements of the shoes, which will simply melt and lose their shape.

Important! The use of powder detergents is acceptable, but it is better to use special gels. Liquid products are washed out of fabric much better. In case of poor washing or insufficient rinsing of the fabric when it comes into contact with the skin, there is a risk of allergic reactions or irritation.

Washing white converse

Contrary to the aesthetics of white textile shoes, colored or dark ones are often preferred because they are considered less branded and do not require unnecessary fuss.It's time to stop being afraid of white sneakers and, regardless of pragmatic “tips,” choose what you really like! After all, to properly wash white Converse, you just need to pay attention to these tips:

Before washing, special attention should be paid to pre-cleaning the sole, removing strong local contaminants from textile elements - on white fabric in the washing machine they may simply not come out: treating with a solution (1 tbsp. liquid detergent per 5 liters of water) or toothpaste and brushing with a soft brush;
the recommended water temperature is 40 degrees, which is slightly higher than when washing colored sneakers;
Instead of soaking, a mixture prepared from 1 tbsp effectively removes stains from white fabric. l. table soda and 1 tbsp. l. vinegar: you need to apply this mixture to Converse, leaving it for a couple of minutes, and then rinse with cold water;
along with the white beauties, there should not be any colored things in the drum, so you need to be careful when choosing an old pillowcase in which they are folded before being sent for “water procedures” - only white fabric is acceptable;
It is better not to place white laces in a bag with Converse - their structure is such that even dirt washed from shoes can firmly settle on them, so after washing the laces will turn gray, unlike the Converse itself.

With the exception of these nuances, the rest of the rules and recommendations are the same for Converse of all colors.

Washing colored Converse

When washing colored Converse sneakers, there is one big danger - shedding. If you want to preserve the color, then:

you need to be very careful when choosing a detergent: of course, “Color” powder detergents are acceptable, but it is better to give preference to gel-type ones, but the main thing is that the detergent should not be chlorine-containing, otherwise the color result will be very bad;
maximum permissible temperature – 30 degrees;
the optimal program is “delicate wash”, which eliminates too intense mechanical action and the color will not wash out;
Before washing, you can soak the sneakers in cold water for 10-15 minutes - this will make the washing machine’s job easier.

As with white Converse, the preparation process is of particular importance. Before immersing in the drum, you need to thoroughly clean the sole and remove stains. To defeat stains, pre-treatment with toothpaste will be effective and will not affect the color in any way. Otherwise, you should adhere to the universal rules.

Washing heavily soiled Converse

It is better to wash heavily soiled Converse by hand, choosing the same detergents and the same temperature as for the machine method. This will help you avoid unexpected results. In emergency cases, the use of bleaches: oxygen or optical is allowed.

How to dry sneakers correctly?

The first rule that must be strictly followed: do not resort to machine drying. But following this rule alone will do nothing if you don’t listen to other advice:

the best solution is to dry it in a warm, well-ventilated place where direct sunlight does not penetrate;
To keep your favorite Converse from losing their shape and looking wrinkled, it is recommended to stuff them with white paper towels or white paper, which will absorb excess moisture (under no circumstances should you stuff them with newspapers - they will leave their printed imprint and you will be able to read news from a year ago right from your shoes);
There is often a temptation to quickly dry them near a heater or on a radiator: this should not be done;
You can resort to the functionality of a special drying cabinet, selecting the "shoe drying" mode, which is perfect for this type of footwear.

It is not advisable to hang the sneakers on a rope, as well as to wring them out vigorously with your hands. It is better to put them on a surface to drain the water, and when they are shaken out, simply tightly insert paper towels or paper.

Important! You cannot put on wet Converse in order to dry them "on yourself". Firstly, dust will eat into the damp material so much that nothing will save it. Secondly, the shoes will be trampled and will no longer correspond to the original size.

When is it better to wash by hand?

Converse of any color and model can be machine washed, but under one condition - they must be textile. If we are talking about other materials, you will have to spend a little time and energy for the manual method.

Leather or suede (as well as made of nubuck) sneakers do not need to be washed at all - they must be cared for in the same way as any type of footwear made of these materials.
If the sneakers are decorated with metal or hard plastic elements, there is a risk of damaging both the washing machine and these elements themselves, in addition, the metal parts are at risk of corrosion.
When machine washing, existing defects on old or heavily worn sneakers can increase significantly under the pressure of mechanical action.
Counterfeit brands will most likely come apart or deteriorate in color.

What to do in this case? How to wash "Converse" by hand? The instructions are extremely simple:

Prepare according to the standard scheme - cleaning, removing serious local stains, removing insoles and laces;
Knock off dust and surface dirt with running cold water;
Place the Converse in a basin of warm water (no more than 30 degrees), in which we pre-dissolve a gel-like detergent (1 tbsp. per 5 liters);
Soak for 30-40 minutes and gently wash (you can simply clean with a soft brush) and rinse under cold running water.

Important! Some "experts" advise washing "Converse" by hand, using laundry soap. This should not be done! Laundry soap contains chlorine, which is guaranteed to ruin colored shoes.

What negative consequences of washing are possible?

The fabric can suffer in two ways: either shedding or staling.

In the first case, we are talking about processes that are, unfortunately, irreversible. The reason for this is too high a temperature. Or, nevertheless, the detergent contained chlorine (you should pay more attention to its composition, read it carefully, and not act "at random"), which corroded the paint in places or gave the white sneakers a yellow tint.

In the second case, there is nothing catastrophic. Most likely, a large amount of detergent remained in the fabric. In order to give "Converse" the proper softness, you just need to rinse them under running cold water and dry them in the prescribed way. The same applies to insoles that have become “petrified” after hand washing.

If the color fades during drying, alas, the consequences are just as irreversible as with chlorine.

Quick tips for caring for Converse

Original Converse sneakers are quite expensive. Therefore, throwing them away after the first season is too great a luxury for any owner. How to prevent damage and preserve the display appearance for a long time? Here are some practical tips:

You can rid sneakers of an unpleasant odor using regular baking soda: pour the soda into a bag and put it in your shoes overnight - the smell will disappear and will not cause another wash;
in order for the sole to regain its whiteness, you can treat it with toothpaste, whiteness, alcohol, ammonia or lemon (the main thing is not to use these substances in combination, otherwise you will get “burns” rather than whiteness);
It is better to choose washing powder or gel of the highest quality possible - the risk of damage to textile elements is reduced;
Converse should be stored long-term in a box to prevent dust from settling;
In order not to damage the door of the washing machine, it is not advisable to throw in more than two pairs of sneakers, but if exactly two pairs go into the drum, they should not differ in color.

When deciding the best way to wash Converse: by hand or in a washing machine, you should definitely choose the second option. Machine washing, if done in accordance with the rules, will only help to extend the “shelf life” of your favorite shoes - it not only allows you to painlessly remove dirt, but also provides a good rinse, which cannot be achieved by hand.

The stereotype that fabric shoes will quickly lose their acceptable appearance or require too much maintenance is long gone.There is no reason to deny yourself the choice of shoes that are truly comfortable or that you like, since taking care of them is very easy, especially if you have such an assistant as a washing machine.