It's hard to clean mesh shoes because they absorb a lot of anything they come into contact with.If you follow the right steps, you can keep them free from dirt and even give them a nice clean in the washing machine.
Step 1: A mixture of dish detergent and warm water is needed.
Add your dish detergent to a bowl of warm water, no more than halfway, to give yourself room to dip your rag.Make sure the detergent is even consistency by stirring it with a spoon.The consistency of your cleaning solution should be soapy.Bleaching agents can cause discoloration and damage certain materials.
Step 2: Stuff your shoe with a cloth after removing its laces.
After removing your shoe's laces, find a clean, absorbent cloth and stuff it into the shoe, which will absorb extra liquid that leaks in during cleaning.As you scrub the surface of the shoe, it will give you some resistance.Microfiber clothes have the best absorbency.If you don't have an extra cloth, put your shoes in a paper towel.If your laces are dirty, soak them in a separate mixture of dish detergent and warm water.After that, wash them with a soft-bristled brush.
Step 3: Remove dirt from the shoe with a brush.
Purchase a soft-bristled shoe brush at a shoe store.To brush away dirt from a shoe, hold the brush to the shoe and use short, simple motions and a light amount of pressure.The heavier the material, the less pressure you should use.You can replace your shoe brush with a toothbrush.
Step 4: You can wash your shoes with a soft cloth.
A soft cloth is a good place to put your cleaning mixture.While applying a light amount of pressure, scrub the surface of your shoes with the cloth.For regions that need more scrubbing, such as embedded dirt and grass stains, dip your brush into the cleaning solution and scrub them clean.You can rinse your cloth in a bowl of warm water to get rid of dirt.
Step 5: Once more, wash your rag and clean the surface of the shoes.
Put the cloth into your rinsing bucket and squeeze it out.Once more, scrub the surface of the shoes.To get rid of soap in the cloth, squeeze your rag out once over the cleaning solution.
Step 6: Disinfectant cleaning wipes can be used to clean the shoes.
The bottom of your shoes can handle bleaching agents.Purchase some wipes from a store and wipe the bottoms clean.Take care not to touch the surface of the shoe with your wipes and apply a firm amount of pressure.Do not use cleaning wipes on the surface of your shoes.If you don't have cleaning wipes, use a piece of paper towel wet with a few drops of bleach.If you have any, use a Magic Eraser product.Home improvement and big box stores have some.
Step 7: You can dry your shoes in a dry place.
You can find an indoor or outdoor location in the shade.Don't dry your shoes in a basement, as they typically do not provide enough air.Tie the laces back on when your shoes are done drying.If you want to decrease drying time, place an electric household fan near your shoes.
Step 8: Put the laces in a sock.
Remove the laces from the holes at the top of your shoe and work your way down to the tip.You can clean your laces separately from your sneakers if you put them into a sock.Tie the end of the socks tightly.Don't remove the plastic loops that hold your shoes in place if they have laces that feed through them.
Step 9: Place your shoes in a pillowcase.
Place all of your shoes into a pillowcase, whichever size accommodates your load, and twist the end tightly to hold it closed.Attach the twisted end with a rubber band wrapped around it 2 times or more depending on the size and thickness of the band.Wrap the rubber band around the twisted end to make it snug.It is possible to fit 2 to 3 pairs of shoes in a pillowcase.Don't put it too tight, but put as many in as you want.Not all shoe materials can be washed in a washing machine.Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Step 10: Put your shoes and laces into the washer.
Put your shoes in the washer with your pillowcase.Wrap the remaining space around the bags with rags to prevent them from hitting the walls.Drop in 1 full cup of laundry detergent.Wrap the edges of the top washer with a towel.
Step 11: Your shoes should be washed on "Delicate" and "Cold".
The load size dial should be turned before the "Medium" button.On the "Normal" setting, put the spin mode to "Delicate".Wait and double-check your settings before turning the washer on.For older washers, use the "Delicate" or "Knits Gentle" setting.This prevents the fabric from stretching.
Step 12: Air-dry your shoes in a dry place.
It's ideal to have an indoor area that provides enough shade.Don't store your shoes in a basement or garage, as they are often not large enough to provide enough air flow.If you have an electric fan, place it in front of your shoes to decrease drying time.Don't use a machine to dry your shoes.Before setting the shoes to dry, remove the laces from the pillowcase and the socks.When your shoes are done drying, tie the laces back.