How To Wash Trainers?

December 2015: Your trainers never looked as good as when they were new, straight out of the box. The key is knowing how to get them back that way: fresh, crisp and ready to go. With our guide, that's a surprisingly simple matter.

There's no need to wash trainers every week, or even every month. How often you wash trainers depends on how often you wear them, and how grubby they are. Naturally, if the weather's been warm and there's a bit of a smell from your trainers, then it's time to wash them.

If you have white trainers, then they will need more care if you want to keep that sparkling new look. Common sense is always the best approach: if you're not wearing those trainers because they no longer look good, then it's time for a good clean.

Whatever your trainers are made of - and we'll come to special treatment for leather trainers later - the first steps are always the same.

Take out the laces, and then with a small brush, gently clean off excess dirt from the trainers. If your trainers are at all muddy, always wait until the mud is dry before doing this. A soft damp cloth can be used to wipe off dirt from the soles.

This is the big one, and there's plenty of opinions out there. Knowledge is important here. Check the manufacturer's label - generally found on the inside of the tongue - to see if your trainers are made of leather. If they are, don't put them in the machine.

You should be able to clean trainers manufactured from man-made materials in your machine, with suitable precautions. You can put trainers inside a fabric bag - one per trainer - or even a pillow case, and then in a gentle cycle in the machine, with 30° advised.

Use washing powder or liquid, but don't use softener as this isn't needed.

Adding trainers to a wash including towels and sports kit is another way of cushioning their impact on your machine's drum. Don't put trainers in a machine dryer, but take them out, stuff them with a little newspaper and let them dry naturally.

If the manufacturer's label tells you that your trainers are made of leather, then different treatment is needed to keep them in good shape. The first steps are the same: take out the laces, and get rid of excess dirt. Remember that what you're doing with leather is feeding it, to keep it supple. Often, older leather looks even better than new when there's the right care.

We'd recommend you now use a clear shoe polish, easily available at supermarkets. Using a soft cloth, rub small amounts in over the leather. Allow to dry, and use a second cloth to polish.