Espadrilles are considered the most comfortable shoes for walking on the beach, park or shopping. They are quite light, have a good fit and do not squeeze the legs. Therefore, such shoes are very popular. However, over time it inevitably gets dirty. To get rid of dirt, some housewives try to wash espadrilles in the washing machine. Let's figure out whether this is acceptable or whether we'll have to look for other cleaning options.
Features of shoes
To understand whether it is possible to wash such shoes in the washing machine, you need to figure out what espadrilles are. Outwardly, they resemble closed-type slippers, only they are not intended for home use, but for going outside.
The sole of the slippers is traditionally made of jute, and the upper is made of a wide variety of materials - suede, cotton, jeans, leather. Also, quite often such things are decorated with various decorative elements. Some shoe models have laces or clasps. Jute is a natural fiber that absorbs moisture well. After contact with liquid, the product may swell and never return to its original position. Therefore, experts do not recommend washing espadrilles in washing machine. It is better to clean such things using dry methods.
How to clean espadrilles using folk remedies
If there are small and relatively fresh stains, it will be quite possible to clean such things using improvised means. Below are methods that you can use to easily clean espadrilles at home:
- If dirt gets on your espadrilles, you will need to leave them for a couple of hours on the balcony or in a well-ventilated area. When the dirt dries, you need to carefully brush it off your items with a special shoe brush.
- Adsorbents - baking soda, starch, table salt - will help remove greasy stains from fabric or suede. For cleaning to be successful, you need to pour a little of the selected product onto the contaminated area and wait twenty to thirty minutes. Then shake off the adsorbent particles and brush the shoes.
- Paint marks are easiest to clean with solvents, such as refined gasoline or acetone. To do this, you need to moisten a clean cloth with the active liquid and gently rub the problem area until the item is completely clean.
- A stationery eraser will help get rid of traces of grass on the sole. Simply vigorously rub the dirty area.
- If you need to whiten the sole, you can prepare a special mixture. To do this, you will need to mix twenty grams of soda and fifty milliliters of peroxide. The resulting composition is applied to yellowed or darkened areas for half an hour. Then remove with a damp cloth.
How to clean espadrilles using store-bought products
In a situation where items that require delicate care are heavily soiled, cleaning with home remedies may not bring the desired result. In such cases it is worth using by professional means. The following is a list of specialized household chemicals that can be used to dry clean espadrilles:
- Stain removers in the form of rollers, for example, Denkmit, Dr. Beckmann or Heitmann. They are easy to use. First, you will need to place a clean white cloth under the stain from the inside of the shoe. Then treat the dirt with a roller. Finally, remove any remaining household chemicals from items with a damp cloth.
- Stain remover stick - Udalix Ultra, Paterra, Meine Liebe. These gentle products do not destroy the structure of the fabric. Will cope with stains from colored drinks, tomatoes, ink, felt-tip pens, and rust. Before cleaning things with such products, you need to lightly moisten the dirt with warm water.
- Spray for removing stains. The most popular products: K2r, Sano, Pre-Wash, Pulimak. Cleaning espadrilles with sprays is quite easy - you just need to spray the selected product onto the dirty area and wait a little. When white powder appears on the treated area, you just need to brush it off with a shoe brush.
How to remove unpleasant odors from things
It's no secret that after some time, any shoe a specific smell begins to emanate. To get rid of it without washing, you can use one of the following life hacks:
- Take the espadrilles out onto the balcony or street for two to three days. This method will be especially effective in frosty weather.
- Pour a little baking soda or talcum powder into a linen bag and place it inside the shoe. After five to six hours, the unwanted smell emanating from things will go away.
- Place 10-12 tablets of activated carbon into the espadrilles. The problem will be solved in a day.
- Wet a small cloth with medical alcohol or vodka and wipe the inside surfaces of the shoes. Do not wear espadrilles for at least four hours.
Recommendations for caring for delicate items
To ensure that the need to clean or wash your espadrilles arises as rarely as possible, you must follow some preventive measures:
- Do not wear such things in muddy or rainy weather, avoid puddles.
- Clean stains immediately after they appear, because the longer the stain remains on the shoe, the more difficult it is to remove it.
- If you get wet, be sure to dry your espadrilles. To do this, you need to stuff them with newspapers and expose them to fresh air.
- Before going outside, espadrilles should be treated with special water-repellent agents.
- Espadrilles should only be stored in shoe boxes. This will help prevent dust from settling and minimize the appearance of stains on the surface of the item.
- After every trip outside, be sure to clean your shoes with soft brushes. Such a measure will help prevent the accumulation of some contaminants on top of others.
