Can you put plimsolls in the tumble dryer

Some PU or PVC shoes may also be machine washable, so be sure to check the care label to see if you can save time here. After all, why labour over the sink hand washing shoes if you could simply pop them in the machine? Just proceed cautiously. Before doing anything else, always read the care label on your shoes to see whether or not they can be washed.

If your shoes cannot be washed fully either in the machine or by hand then an old toothbrush can be used to remove obvious surface dirt. You may also be able to use a damp cloth as an alternative to washing. To prepare your shoes for the washing machine, remove the laces and scrub any loose dirt from the surface — you can use an old toothbrush to get into smaller areas like eyelets and a larger, stiff-bristled brush for the surface of the shoe itself.

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Related Content. How to clean a washing machine: 6 step guide to banish mould and bad odours. Who is Mrs Hinch? Dry trainers outdoors, if you can — but away from direct sunlight as this could fade the colours.

Otherwise, find somewhere warm and dry with a good air current on a windowsill, near a fan or air conditioning unit or in the airing cupboard. You can also accelerate the process by removing the insoles and washing and drying them separately.

Resist the temptation to put them in the tumble dryer though as this could add to the wear and tear of them. Depending on the weather, it could take several hours, or even a couple of days for the trainers to dry, so you may need to plan ahead. For more expert laundry tips, visit our stain removal section. How do you keep trainers looking fresher and cleaner for longer? Some dryers even have a drying rack that you can insert and place your wet shoes on to dry them.

Turn the dryer to the air dry setting. If your machine doesn't have this setting, just program it to the lowest temperature.

It's important to use little or no heat so your shoes don't shrink as the fabric dries. Dry the shoes for 20 minutes and check them. Turn the machine on and leave the shoes to dry for about 20 minutes. Then, carefully open the door and catch the shoes before they fall. Feel the inside of the shoes to ensure they're dry. Method 2. Avoid tossing loose shoes into your dryer. If you've ever thrown a pair of shoes into the dryer, you're probably familiar with the loud banging sound they make.

You shouldn't put loose shoes into the dryer because this repeated banging can damage the inside of the machine and the outside of your shoes. Put the bag into the dryer along with several towels, which will prevent the shoes from banging against the machine. Air dry your shoes to prevent warping them. Unfortunately, it's hard to tell how the heat from a dryer will affect your shoes. Depending on the quality and what the shoes are made of, drying them in the machine can warp or shrink them.

For the best result, hang the shoes by the laces from a clothesline or place them on a flat drying rack and leave them to dry for a day or two. National Institutes of Health Go to source If you can, put the shoes in the sunlight since sunlight can disinfect the shoes. Limit how often you dry the shoes in the machine. Your shoes probably won't be damaged if you occasionally put them in the dryer. However, the fabric and soles of the shoes will shrink or warp the more you machine dry them.