We all know the feeling. You step outside wearing your favorite pair of shoes, put your best foot forward, ready to take on the day, when SPLAT! The sprinklers have left a big, squishy puddle by your front steps and suddenly your shoes are looking more mud-pie than fly.
It may feel like a hopeless case at first, but don’t worry, your Electrolux washer is here to help. Yep, you heard that right, you can wash your shoes right in an Electrolux washing machine! No soaking or hand scrubbing required.
Not only are they great at cleaning up everyday messes like this, Electrolux washers are easy to use, economical, and they have tons of features that make washing out even the toughest stains easy! As long as you follow these steps, your shoes will come out of the wash looking as good as new every time.
Prep Your Shoes
Before you jump right in to washing your shoes, you’ll want to check the label and make sure they are made of a machine washable material. Only traditional cloth sneakers or flats can be washed, so make sure to figure out what your shoes are made of. Materials like suede and leather should never be machine washed, unless you’re really looking for an excuse to buy new shoes or even a new washer!
If there’s still crusted-on dirt stuck to your shoes, try to brush or knock it all off. Then, remove any laces and put them in a separate bag, like a pillowcase or mesh washer bag. They’ll need to get washed too, of course, but leaving them loose in the washer is a recipe for tangling, twisting, and tearing.
Set Temperature and Soil Level
Counter to conventional stain-removal wisdom, you’ll want to wash your shoes in cool water. If you wash them at high temperatures, you risk melting the glue that binds the shoe together and warping or even shrinking the soles. Do your shoes a favor and keep it cool!
If you’ve still got mud and dirt caked into your shoes, even after shaking them off, Electrolux’s “Solid Soil” option helps draw out deep stains from stubborn, solid grime. Selecting this option, paired with a powerful liquid detergent (no powder—it can get stuck in your shoes) and Electrolux’s SmartBoost stain-removing option can scrub out any amount of dirt.
Get Protected
Like we said earlier, it’s a good idea to remove shoelaces and place them in a separate bag, to prevent tangling or trapping dirt in hard-to-reach areas. You’ll also want to protect your shoes and your washer. Before you start your cycle, throw about five towels into the wash as well. If you have a top-loading washer, be sure to load the towels first, so the shoes don’t get trapped at the bottom.
The towels provide a buffer between your shoes and the drum, and save your ears from the sound of them rattling around in the washer. They also help balance out the wash and defend your Electrolux from denting and damage.
Dry it Out
Perhaps the most important part of all – do not under any circumstances put your shoes in the dryer! Even if you have a killer Electrolux laundry duo you’ve been dying to try out, leave the shoes out and dry the towels you’ve just drenched in the dryer instead. The fastest way to dried-out, shrunken shoes is a cycle through the dryer. Unless you want to be squeezing your toes into baby slippers in the morning, leave your shoes out to dry near an open window (be sure to check the weather first!) or a fan instead. This will help gently dry out the fabric without messing up the rubber bottoms. Turn the tongue inside out and remove the insoles (if they’re removable) to help speed up the drying process.
Congratulations! With just a little knowledge and an Electrolux washer, your shoes should be sparkling and good as new!
If your shoes are still coming out dull and stained after following all these steps, your washer could be in need of an upgrade. Come by our store today and check out all the great Electrolux models we have in stock. Our associates are happy to answer any questions you might have about upgrading to Electrolux or offer more tips for maxing out your laundry potential.