How to wash sneakers in an Indesit washing machine?

If you decide to wash your sneakers in an Indesit washing machine, you should be thoroughly prepared. Automatic and unsupervised washing remains extremely risky and can seriously damage expensive shoes. However, it's entirely possible to reduce the risks and achieve cleanliness without sacrificing quality: simply follow all recommendations and strictly adhere to proven instructions.

Setting up the settings

To make your laundry as predictable, safe, and effective as possible, you'll need to prepare. The first thing you need to do is to properly configure your existing Indesit machine. We look at the control panel near the detergent drawer and carefully study the list of modes offered by the manufacturer.

To wash sneakers in Indesit washing machines, you need to select a special mode - "Sports shoes".

Most modern Indesit machines have "Sports Shoes" in the program list, number 13 or 12. This mode is designed specifically for washing sneakers, basketball shoes, and other types of running shoes. There's no need to adjust the cycle settings, shorten the time, or increase the temperature—the manufacturer has developed an ideal combination of conditions, duration, temperature, and drum rotation intensity.

If your Indesit model doesn't have a "Sports Shoes" cycle, select the closest program to it—"Delicate Wash." Alternatively, manually set the cycle: temperature to 30-40 degrees Celsius, spin to minimum or off, turn off drying, and add a double rinse.

Preparing shoes

Once the washing machine is set up, we begin preparing the shoes themselves. The first step is to carefully inspect the sneakers. If they have decorative elements, reflectors, patches, glitter, or rhinestones attached, it is best to limit yourself to hand washing. Otherwise, you could easily lose the decor as the drum spins, ruining both your sneakers and your appliances. We'll do the same if the foam is sticking out of your sneakers, as the foam will come out during the spin and clog the washing machine's drainage system. Then, we'll proceed as follows.

1. Remove the laces and insoles. It's best to hand wash the latter: wet them, sprinkle them with detergent, and scrub them with a stiff shoe brush for 10 minutes. If you don't want to hand wash them, place the removed parts in the drum with your sneakers.
2. Thoroughly clean the soles, removing dirt, sand, stones, grass, and other debris. Use a toothpick or knitting needle to go over all the grooves in the tread. Afterward, be sure to rinse the shoes under the tap. Don't worry about getting the insides wet—they'll be machine-washed anyway.
3. Combine shoes by color. The rules are the same as for standard washing: wash white with white, black with dark, and colored with colored. Keep in mind that regular dyes are used in shoe manufacturing, which can bleed and ruin other shoes.
4. Place the sneakers in a special protective bag. An old pillowcase or nylon stocking will do.
5. Load the sneakers into the drum along with a few old towels, a rug, or jeans. The cushion will prevent the sneakers from hitting the drum walls and upsetting the balance of the washing machine. This protection will also protect the ribs, paddles, and bumpers, preventing decorative items from getting into the machine's drainage system.

One cycle can wash 1-2 pairs of sneakers, regardless of the capacity of the Indesit machine.

Loading three, four or more pairs of sneakers into the drum is strictly prohibited. Even with minimal twisting, shoes can break the glass of the hatch door and interrupt the planned washing in the most unpleasant and costly way.It's better not to take risks and spread the sneakers that need cleaning over several cycles.

We launch the equipment

After selecting a wash cycle and throwing your prepared sneakers into the drum, you can close the door and start the cycle. But first, it's best to check the control panel again and make sure the settings are correct. Remember that the recommended temperature range for shoes is 30-40 degrees Celsius, as water that's too hot will cause the soles and other parts of the sneakers to peel off. It's also important to turn off the spin cycle, as spinning heavy sneakers in the machine will damage the shock absorbers and bearings.

Be sure to turn off the automatic drying function, as it can cause the colors to fade and the shoes to become deformed.

At the “finish,” add detergent according to the following rules:

• choose a regular detergent (ideally, it is recommended to use a gel for delicate washing);
• measure out a standard dose;
• add a little bleach if you are washing white sneakers;
• We refuse to use conditioner (it is better to limit chemicals and use a double rinse).

Now, press "Start" and wait for the cycle to complete. It's a good idea to monitor the washing process to promptly respond to any imbalances or excessive foaming. Remember that automatic drying, whether in a dryer or with a hairdryer, is prohibited, so dry your sneakers strictly according to the instructions. Ideally, the crosses are placed on the balcony, in the fresh air and under direct sunlight. But it is also possible to use radiators: stuff the sneakers with white paper to their original shape, cover the radiator with a rag and place the shoes on top.

It is not recommended to stuff sneakers with newspapers, as the moisture and heat will cause the printing ink to be transferred to the shoes.

If done correctly, washing your sneakers in an Indesit washing machine won't harm them, but will actually help them get cleaner. Just remember to stay within the recommended temperature range, prepare your shoes for loading, and turn off the spin cycle.

   

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