Can you wash combat boots in a washing machine?

Thoroughly cleaning heavy footwear by hand is difficult: in addition to being heavy, they tend to have many creases and ridges. Using a washing machine for this task is tempting. It would seem simpler than loading the shoes into the drum and removing them clean. However, experts warn: you shouldn't wash combat boots in a washing machine. The same goes for football boots. Doing so can damage your appliances and your shoes. Ignoring these warnings, people sometimes resort to machine washing in an attempt to save time and make the work easier.

The risk is too great

Military personnel, athletes, and tourists often wear professional footwear, such as combat boots and cleats. These require regular cleaning. Therefore, many people wash them in the washing machine, even though household appliances aren't designed for such heavy-duty use. However, such cleaning methods can quickly damage the footwear. What are the risks of machine washing combat boots and cleats?

• deformation of the pads;
• roughening of natural leather or leatherette;
• loss of metal inserts or other shoe elements;
• breakdown of household appliances.

Such consequences can often be avoided, but the risk is high. To protect your equipment and boots, it is better to use a brush and soap or powder. This is a safe way to clean boots and cleats.

Make machine washing safe

If hand-washing combat boots is not an option and you must clean them in the washing machine, you should try to reduce the risk of damage. To do this, you need to know and apply a few simple rules. Instructions for washing combat boots in an automatic washing machine:

• clean dirt from soles;
• Unlace your shoes and remove the insoles. They should be washed separately;
• Place the boots in a shoe washing bag. If you don't have one handy, you can use a large piece of cloth or a towel;
• Load the shoes into the drum. Place a rag on top. This will help reduce the force of the shoes hitting the drum walls when the machine starts.
• add detergent to the powder dispenser;
• Select a washing mode. Suitable programs for shoes are "Hand Wash" and "Delicate Wash." Some models have a special "Shoes" mode;
• set the temperature within 30⁰-40⁰ C, and spin parameters are up to 400 rpm.

Important! When washing combat boots in the washing machine, it's best to use liquid detergents. They rinse out better than powders.

Dry your boots at room temperature in a well-ventilated area. Do not use heaters or heating devices for drying. To speed up the drying process, you can place newspaper inside the boots.

Cleaning without a machine

Military personnel and athletes don't always have access to a washing machine. For example, during training camps or in barracks, combat boots and cleats often have to be washed by hand. To do this quickly and properly, follow these steps:

• pour warm water into a basin;
• Remove the insoles from the shoes and soak them in water for 10–15 minutes. This is enough time for the dirt to come off;
• then clean the boots with a brush and washing powder or laundry soap;
• rinse shoes several times in clean water;
• put out to dry.

You can place linen bags filled with green tea inside your boots while they dry.

Insoles also need regular cleaning, as they quickly absorb dirt and unpleasant odors. They are hand-washed with soap. Shoe labels do not indicate whether they are machine-washable. Each consumer decides for themselves whether this is worthwhile. With combat boots and cleats, the risk of machine damage is high.

   

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