To Spin or Not to Spin? The Great Trainer Washing Debate

We’ve all been there. You look down at your trusty pair of trainers — perhaps the ones you wear for the morning power walk, the "sensible" pair for pottering around the garden or they're just your daily footwear — and realise they’ve seen better days. I had this exact experience the other day. I've been doing some DIY and worn my trainers to do it. I realised they weren't the most sensible choice when a nail went through on and I could feel the tip of it start to dig in my foot! I temporarily put on my wellies to finish that job and put my sketchers to one side. A few days later I was using filler foam - my goodness it goes every where! I had on my better Fit Flop trainers at this point and stupidly got filler foam on them. Arrgghhhh! Both pairs of trainers were now filthy and there comes a point where a quick wipe with a damp cloth simply won't do.

The big question is: Can you just pop them in the washing machine with your other laundry?

My answer is a "yes, within reason." But before you open that machine door, let’s weigh up the pros and cons of the "Great Machine Wash."

Muddy Race Challenge

I can definitely tell you I am not a muddy runner type of person, although I do have family members who seem to love a Tough Mudder challenge! My trainers tend to get grubby with an occasionally muddy incident. I have also worn sketcher shoes in the sea for a swim when it's been particularly stony and they too had a tumble in the washing machine. So why might you choose the washing machine option?

The Perks: We Love a Quick Fix

• Saving the Elbow Grease: Let’s be honest, life is too short to spend forty minutes hunched over the kitchen sink with an old toothbrush. The machine does the hard work while you put the kettle on. They come out looking far more sparkly than if I had scrubbed them by hand and the right spin cycle can mean they're fairly dry. It's very hard to wring out your shoes by hand.

• Banishing the "Damp Dog" Smell: If your trainers have been caught in a typical British downpour, they can start to smell a bit... earthy. A machine wash gets deep into the fabric to freshen them up properly. It can also help eliminate any nasties which might have started to fester in your footwear.

• That New-Shoe Feeling: For canvas shoes, a gentle cycle can restore that crisp look that makes you feel much smarter. I had a pair of white White Stuff canvas pumps (I don't know why I bought white, they must have been in the sale!) They went through the washing machine about 10 times over the years before I finally had to admit they'd passed their best.

  
  

  

  Putting detergent in a washing machine.

  
  

The Pitfalls: Why Your Trainers Might Object

• The "Clatter" Factor: There’s nothing quite as alarming as the sound of a pair of rubber soles thumping against the drum of a Bosch washing machine at 1000 RPM. It’s not particularly relaxing, and it’s not great for the machine’s bearings either. I do usually put my trainers in with some other washing like towels or something, providing the shoes aren't unreasonably filthy.

• The Glue Issue: Modern trainers are often held together by high-tech adhesives. If the water is too hot, that glue can soften. You don't want to open the door to find your soles have decided to go their separate ways. I use an eco wash at 30 usually.

• The Suede Danger: If your trainers have suede or leather trim (common on many "heritage" brands like Clark's or Puma), the washing machine is their sworn enemy. Water can make suede go stiff and "crispy"—not a good look. Have a good look at what your trainers are made of before choosing the machine.

  
  

 The "Golden Rules" for a Safe Wash

If you’ve decided to take the plunge, follow these steps to ensure your shoes come out in one piece:

1. Read the Tongue: Check the little label inside. If it says "Do Not Wash," listen to it!

2. The "Buffer" Technique: Never wash trainers alone. Throw in a couple of old bath towels. They act as "bumpers," muffling the noise and stopping the shoes from crashing around.

3. Use a Pillowcase: Pop your trainers (and their laces, removed) into an old pillowcase or a mesh laundry bag. This prevents the eyelets from snagging on the drum. This is good advice as I've lost the end of my laces several times now.

4. Keep it Cool: Set the machine to 30°C or even a cold wash. High heat is the enemy of footwear.

5. The Drying Disaster: Never, ever put them on the radiator or in the tumble dryer. It’ll warp the shape and ruin the fit. Instead, stuff them with a bit of crumpled-up newspaper and let them dry naturally in the airing cupboard or near a window.

My freshly washed skechers

The Verdict?

If they are your very expensive running shoes, technical walking boots or leather shoes, keep them far away from the washing machine. But for your everyday mesh or canvas trainers? A cool, padded cycle in the machine is a brilliant way to freshen them up and give them a new lease of life.