How To Wash Tennis Shoes | The Ultimate Guide On Dirty Little Secret

Tennis shoes are expensive, but they are also delicate. So how to wash tennis shoes! as you don’t want to ruin them by washing them in the washer or dryer.

Most people feel that tennis shoes need to be hand-washed with soap and water, but they’re afraid of ruining their favorite kicks.

This is where we step in!

We have compiled a list of easy steps to wash your tennis shoes without damaging the shoe’s material or color.

Keep following these simple steps, and you’ll have clean sneakers ready for your next match in no time. Before going into detail, you can check our separate posts for a great tennis shoe collection.

How To Wash Tennis Shoes?

Many tennis shoes are machine washable, but if you have orthotics or a light-up feature for your sneakers, then be sure to clean them using the general cleaning steps below.

  

Removing The Dirt – How To Clean Tennis Shoes Dirt

Before cleaning your shoes, make sure to brush the soles with a stiff brush and remove any dirt from inside them. This will ensure that they stay clean for more extended periods.

 

Unlacing Them – How To Wash Tennis Shoes

Laces often tangle in the wash, so remove them and put them into a small mesh bag or pillowcase.

Tie off tightly with an elastic bandana (a kind of cloth that is used as string), then throw it all into one load on your machine for convenience’s sake.

 

Adding The Towel

As a bonus, adding a towel or two will reduce the amount of squeaking you’ll hear as well.

The exterior soil from your shoes is scrubbed off during washing and reduces noise caused by friction between soles rubbing against machine drums.

 

Washing Them Properly – How To Wash Tennis Shoes By Hands

Clean your shoes with care. Cleaning them improperly can ruin the glue that keeps their insoles in place, so set this cycle to “WARM/Warm,” and then do not use chlorine bleach or fabric softener as these products will damage your sneakers.

For tough stains, just add a scoop of oxygenated bleaches like OxiClean for best results but be careful not to overdo it.

 

How To Wash Tennis Shoes In The Washer

• Put a tennis shoe in the washer with a few tablespoons of dish soap
• Add water and run it for about 10 minutes
• Remove the shoe from the washer before turning off the machine to avoid any damage to your other clothes
• Rinse out as much soap as possible, then allow shoes to air dry outside or inside on a drying rack for up to 24 hours
• Repeat until all pairs of shoes are clean

 

Drying – How To Dry Tennis Shoes

Removing wet clothes is a pain, but luckily there is easy to speed up drying time. Stuff your washcloth into the shoe and gently squeeze out excess moisture from its innersole before removing them altogether.

 

Air Drying

If you like to get the most out of your shoes, make sure they are dry before storing them. Air drying is a great way of doing this and can be done even while wearing them.

You could also put them on an open rack outside if there is no chance of rain because it would help remove any water left inside by sunlight acting as a disinfectant.

Plus, air-drying does not take long either, so keep that in mind next time things get too smelly at home.

How to dry tennis shoes in the dryer

• Place tennis shoes in a dryer on low heat
• Line the inside of the dryer with towels to absorb moisture and prevent damage
• Allow about 30 minutes for drying time before taking shoes out, checking them for dampness, and repeating the process if necessary
• Clean tennis shoes thoroughly after removing them from the dryer by hand or with a brush
• Let air-dry outside when possible to avoid mold growth

 

How To Wash Tennis Shoes in Dishwasher

Washing tennis shoes in a dishwasher is not recommended, as it can damage the shoes and the dishwasher. However, if you choose to do so, here are some tips to follow:

• Remove any loose dirt or debris from the shoes before placing them in the dishwasher.
• Place the shoes on the top rack of the dishwasher, and avoid placing any other dishes or items in the same cycle.
• Use a gentle cycle with cold water, and avoid using any dishwashing detergent or other cleaning agents.
• Once the cycle is complete, remove the shoes from the dishwasher and allow them to air dry completely.
• Be aware that washing shoes in the dishwasher can cause damage to the shoes, including loosening of the glue and deformation of the soles. It is generally not recommended to use this method for washing tennis shoes.

 

Wrapping up!

We wish that we have helped you figure out how to wash tennis shoes the right way. Notify in the comments what other topics you would like for us to cover, and we will do our best to oblige.