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Is it OK to wash running shoes in the washing machine?

Teresa1632 profile image
Teresa1632Marathon
20 Replies

After last weeks road run, my trainers look as though I ran through a ploughed field and finished off with sprint through the cow shed.

In the scheme of things, the trainers are not too expensive, (£95), but I happen to like them, and would rather not risk them disintegrating in the wash. But they are filthy!

What do you recommend?

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Teresa1632 profile image
Teresa1632
Marathon
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20 Replies
GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathon

Nope! Pop the insoles in the machine as often as you like but never the shoes.

Ps. Those really aren't that dirty 😉

Jell6 profile image
Jell6

Crikey, if they are filthy, mine should be condemned 🤣🤣

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon in reply toJell6

Haha, that was my thought too 🤣🤣🤣

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon

Not advisable to put ANY shoes into the washing machine, not sure about this but there might be a certain type of shoe cleaner for expensive running shoes, might get advice from others about that.

backintime profile image
backintime10 Miles

what do the manufacturers website say?

I asked the same question the other day and got told NO :D

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsHalf Marathon

Oh, best not to put in the washing machine, I'd say!

Let any muck or mud dry, then use a stiff brush on them (I got a cheap floor scrubbing brush from Robert Dyas). Then, a damp cloth to polish off – voila! Good as new. Well, almost.

Teresa1632 profile image
Teresa1632Marathon in reply toSadie-runs

I have a scrubbing brush that I use to clean the hen house. The trainers might be worse if I used that 🐓🙈

I'll invest in a new one. Who would have thought it - going up in the world; two scrubbing brush household. The neighbours will be jealous! 😃

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsHalf Marathon in reply toTeresa1632

😂😂😂

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathon

Check out this recent thread on the same subject 👍🏻😁

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Don't ever wash them..dry and bang the mud off..badges of honour;)

Sqkr profile image
SqkrHalf Marathon

Those don't look dirty at all 😂 I don't know what that says about me...

Mumpark profile image
MumparkHalf Marathon

Never wash my running shoes in the washing machine just brush and wipe with wet cloth.

Good to see another New balance wearer .

I’ve stuck with New balance for 10 years now.

Teresa1632 profile image
Teresa1632Marathon

I love mine, they're so comfy like slippers!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreMetric Marathon

Most of the good people here say no... most sites say yes... but I’m with the people on this one!

This was being discussed on the radio the other morning and someone said the dishwasher is a better option as the shoes don’t get thrown around... I’ve yet to try this, but will on a pair of my daughters!

No idea how to clean these though globalcitizen.org/en/conten...

backintime profile image
backintime10 Miles in reply toUnfitNoMore

I like the look of those :D

Although I would be worried about them bio-degrading on my feet in wet weather - I'm sure they thought of that but it would be forever in the back of my mind

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreMetric Marathon in reply tobackintime

I think you have to apply an enzyme to them before they will dissolve... not sure how rare that enzyme is of course. I had a look and at £1500 a pair I think I’ll wait for them in black 🤣

backintime profile image
backintime10 Miles in reply toUnfitNoMore

yes, black is so much more slimming for the feet :D

Kevtrev profile image
KevtrevMarathon

No don’t do it let them dry and brush it off and baby wipe them I do this and they are not that dirty you should see mine after park run they are normally filthy caked on mud especially if it has been raining a nice day and they are not to bad happy running 😉👍

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Metric Marathon

I've heard its best not too. I did a race for life muddy 5k the other week and mine were filthy. (yours look ok :-) ) anyway I ended up having to be hosed down in the back yard!!! as caked in mud.... and then after my 'proper shower' I hosed the trainers a bit more and dried them out, they seem to be OK but only cheap Karrimor ones.

Teresa1632 profile image
Teresa1632Marathon

Eeek, being hosed down outside. Would have been chilly! Hope the mud had some therapeutic properties 😉

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