What program should I use to wash sneakers in a Bosch washing machine?

Proper care of athletic shoes ensures their durability and attractive appearance. Not all stains can be easily removed by hand, so sometimes drastic measures may be necessary. Sneakers can be washed in a washing machine, but not every item can withstand this process. If the shoes don't have decorative elements that could peel off, and the manufacturer allows machine washing, you can easily restore them to their original condition. Let's consider the best washing cycle for sneakers in a Bosch washing machine.

Selecting and setting up a program

It's important to remember that even the most durable and reliable sports shoes from reputable clothing manufacturers won't survive a delicate wash cycle. For this reason, all necessary settings in an automatic washing machine are manually adjusted by the user. The water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), and experts recommend not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

Be sure to set the wash cycle to "no spin." Ideally, keep the wash cycle to no more than half an hour. Leaving the sneakers in water for longer can damage the retaining materials and lead to damage.

Bosch washing machines don't have a dedicated cleaning mode for sports accessories, so it's best to use features like "Super Quick Wash," "Short Wash," and the like. While these modes are ideal for cleaning sneakers, it's important to remember that the program automatically includes a spin cycle, which must be manually removed before starting the machine. If this isn't possible, spin at the lowest speed.

Don't put shoes in the drum straight away.

Before washing your sneakers, it's important to properly prepare them. Failure to follow these simple guidelines can result in damage to your clothes, even if the machine is set to the correct automatic cycle and the spin function is disabled. Avoid washing shoes with exposed foam or reflective elements in the washing machine, as the foam will come off and clog the internal components of the machine, the reflective elements will fall off, and the shoes will become unattractive.

The procedure for preparing a soiled item for machine washing:

• remove the laces and place them in the drum (it is better to use a special fabric laundry bag to prevent small strings from getting into the holes and clogging the filter);
• remove the insoles (they can be washed in the washing machine along with the sneakers);
• remove dirt and small stones from the sole under running water or using pointed objects;
• wet the insoles with warm water, sprinkle washing powder on top;
• scrub the surface with a stiff-bristled brush or sponge until the dirt is removed;
• Dry the insoles naturally.

Shoe manufacturers recommend washing sneakers exclusively in specialized laundry bags. These can be purchased at almost any hardware store. If finding a bag is difficult, consider adding towels, rags, mats, and other rags to the washing machine along with your shoes. This will prevent the sneakers from banging against the inside walls during the wash, preventing deformation and damage to the machine. Interestingly, the gentler the wash, the easier it is to remove dirt from the surface of the item.

Important! It is recommended to wash no more than one pair of shoes per wash cycle (less frequently, when cleaning small children's or women's shoes, up to two pairs). Failure to follow this rule may damage the sunroof glass, leading to costly repairs or the need to replace the appliance.

Never use the automatic drying function. Drying sneakers this way will cause them to become misshapen, lose their appeal, or even become completely unusable. Shoes should be dried naturally, i.e., without the use of stationary or portable heaters, hair dryers, or other external artificial heat sources. Avoid exposing the cleaned surface to direct sunlight. To prevent clean sneakers from losing their shape, you can insert balls of thick white paper or cardboard inserts into them.

   

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