New Balance sneakers are fashionable branded shoes that are produced using modern technologies. Such models are chosen by people leading an active lifestyle.
However, despite the excellent cushioning and high-quality materials that are used to sew sneakers, they tend to get dirty.
Therefore, all owners of New Balance shoes should know the features of caring for a sports pair. Moreover, there are many of them. We'll tell you how to wash New Balance sneakers in this article.
How to clean sneakers with foam?
When cleaning suede, as well as for nubuck, the product should be mixed in warm water, bringing it to a foam state. Then use a brush, previously moistened, to gently rub the resulting foam into the sneaker.
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Should New Balance sports shoes be washed?
If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations, placing New Balance sneakers in the drum of a washing machine is strictly prohibited.
Moreover, this rule applies to products made from various materials:
- leather;
- suede;
- textile;
- artificial.
The manufacturer gives the following recommendations for caring for sneakers:
- Clean their surfaces daily to remove dust and dirt. For this purpose you need to use a soft cloth or brush.
- Wipe dyed leather sneakers with a damp cloth.
- Do not allow shoes to come into contact with water. It is strictly forbidden to wash it.
- When removing dirt from textile shoes, you can use professional stain removers and aerosols.
These tips are correct and will help extend the life of your shoes. However, in real life, New Balance sneakers may well get dirty in a way that a regular brush cannot remove.
If there is no other way out, then you can still resort to using a washing machine. However, you should not count on warranty service after such treatment.
Why you can’t wash New Balance sneakers in a washing machine, this video will tell you:
When is it possible and when is it not?
Under no circumstances should New Balance sneakers be placed in the washing machine if:
Products made of genuine leather, suede or nubuck.- Shoes made of polyurethane, nylon or polyvinyl chloride.
- Shoes that have a lot of colored elements, stickers, reflective overlays, rivets.
- Sneakers that already have any damage, for example, torn seams, protruding threads, or a loose sole.
Shoes made from natural fabrics require careful handling. If a pair is expensive and needs high-quality cleaning, then it is better to seek help from professionals . Minor stains can be removed manually.
Heavily soiled New Balance textile sneakers are subject to automatic processing. However, before washing, you need to make sure that your sports shoes are intact.
Wet cleaning methods
Just because you can't clean wet suede doesn't mean you can't use moisture.
Above the Ferry
The shoes are held over a pan of boiling water or over a kettle. When steam hits the suede, it softens it and the dirt. After this, the material is cleaned with a brush and left until completely dry.
The important thing here is not to wet your shoes, but only to soften the dirt, so it is not recommended to hover for too long. Usually 10-15 seconds are enough to remove medium dirt.
Ammonia
Ammonia is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:4. The solution is soaked into a cloth, which is used to thoroughly wipe the suede.
Vinegar
Vinegar removes salt stains from suede, which especially often appear on shoes in winter.
Water and vinegar are diluted in a 1:1 ratio. Next, moisten a cotton swab with the solution and use it to treat the suede. A cloth soaked in water removes dirt particles and salt stains from shoes.
It is recommended to treat light-colored sneakers to remove salt at the end of the winter season, even if the stains are not visible.
Milk
For cleaning, you need to choose milk with the lowest fat content. Add 1 tsp of soda to a glass of this milk. It should dissolve completely.
Next, a rough cloth is soaked in milk, which is used to wipe the light-colored sneakers. If there is a lot of dirt, then the fabric must be washed or changed from time to time.
Washing powder
It is diluted in water, it should turn out to be a wet paste. Rub the mixture onto white sneakers, after which it is washed with a clean cloth.
Dry cleaning methods
There are several dry cleaning options that can be implemented at home.
Carbon paper
Rubbing black suede with carbon paper allows you to return it to its original color and remove greasy stains.
However, this method is only suitable for dark material.
Eraser
White suede sneakers can be cleaned from dirt and excess shine using special rubber bands.
If they are not there, then instead of them at home it is permissible to use a regular office eraser. They work well on small stains on suede shoes, but are not suitable for removing large stains.
When cleaning with an eraser, there are a few rules to remember.
- For white shoes, use only a white eraser, otherwise it will leave a colored mark on the material.
- You need to take an expensive and high-quality eraser. This reduces the likelihood of staining the material.
- Do not press the elastic into the material. Movements should be light, without force.
- It is necessary to clean in one direction so that the suede does not end up looking sloppy.
Foam rubber
Foam rubber will help get rid of oily, shiny stains that appear on suede. They are carefully passed over problem areas in one direction. Clean until it returns to its salable condition.
Brush
To clean suede, it is recommended to purchase a special brush: it is soft enough, does not damage the material, but still copes with its duty.
This brush can be easily passed through the dirt several times. It is not recommended to use toothbrushes, as even the softest variations can irreversibly damage delicate suede.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that the brush is clean. A small speck of dirt on it can only make the situation worse.
Black bread
To clean suede, only dry crusts of black bread are used. They are gently rubbed over the dirt until the suede is clean.
The crumbs remaining after the procedure are brushed off with a brush.
Talc
Talc helps deal with greasy stains on suede, which are among the most difficult to remove.
The problem is that the fat must first be drawn out of the material, and only then removed. Apply talcum powder or baby powder generously to the problem area and leave for 3-8 hours. After this, clean the sneakers with a suede brush.
Starch
Starch is sprinkled on the fatty areas of the shoes, then left for an hour. Afterwards, the starch is removed with a brush.
Sandpaper
Helps remove worn, shiny areas on suede. When using sandpaper, it is important to control the pressure.
After cleaning, you need to go over the suede with a special brush.
The most commonly used type of sandpaper is black sandpaper. It is suitable for cleaning only dark suede, since it will leave dirty marks on light ones.
Which New Balance shoes are machine washable?
Regarding machine washability, different sources disagree, but a couple of indisputable facts about the material of sneakers are worth knowing for sure:
- natural suede is a very delicate and capricious material, and for sneakers with suede inserts, machine washing is simply unacceptable if you do not want to go out and buy new sneakers next season;
- Genuine leather (nubuck, including) is a definite “taboo” for washing in a machine, otherwise the leather will immediately change its appearance, become deformed and will no longer look so stylish.
Shoes made of mesh or rag material are very susceptible to automatic washing in a washing machine, and therefore, if you have one, you can safely throw your sneakers or sneakers in the washing machine, saving your time.
For the insulated version of New Balance, washing can be done either manually or in a washing machine. When choosing a method, you should start from the material from which they are made.
Note! If you have old but favorite sneakers and you doubt whether washing them in a machine will “finish” them or not, then here’s some advice for you: instead of automatic washing, choose a manual method for removing dirt. Cleaning this way will preserve the appearance of your favorite sneakers.
Drying
Sneakers need to not only be washed properly, but also dried. To do this, you need to pay attention to the following points:
Do not expose steam to high temperatures. Do not use hair dryers, heating devices, radiators or heaters for drying.- Fresh air should be given preference. However, you need to protect your shoes from direct sunlight.
- If it is impossible to take the pair outside, they are left in a dry and well-ventilated area.
- The inside of the shoe is stuffed with fabric or paper. Any material must be white, without dyes. As the fabric gets wet, it is changed to dry.
You can speed up the drying process of shoes by using a fan by directing a stream of air at them. The device itself is turned on at full power.
Manually
If your New Balance sneakers are not completely dirty, but only partially soiled, you can wash them by hand. It is not necessary to wet the entire surface of the shoe.
Washing is carried out as follows:
A small amount of water and detergent are diluted in a separate container. Both regular laundry soap and dishwashing liquid are suitable for this purpose. The main thing is to thoroughly dissolve it in water.- The sneakers are stuffed with white fabric. You can use gauze. This is done so that the shoes do not lose their shape and do not get completely wet.
- Using a sponge, apply the cleaning solution to the stains.
- Rub with light force with a soft brush.
- Wash the treated areas under running water.
- Blot shoes with a paper or terry towel.
- Leave to dry.
In this way, you can treat not only a textile pair, but also shoes made of suede or nubuck. However, you need to proceed with caution.
When the entire shoe needs washing, proceed as follows:
- Warm water is poured into a basin, grated laundry soap or any suitable detergent is dissolved in it;
- lower the sneakers into the container (first remove all dust and visible dirt from them, remove the insoles and laces);
- soak shoes for 15-30 minutes;
- gently rub areas with stains;
- rinse shoes under running water;
- dry the steam naturally.
Hand washing allows you to thoroughly clean heavily soiled areas. Other areas will be protected from excess friction, which cannot be achieved when washing shoes in a machine.
How to wash New Balance in the washing machine
If you are a supporter of an active lifestyle or simply love comfortable everyday shoes and have chosen NewBalance sneakers, then sooner or later you will need to learn how to properly care for them so that the sneakers do not lose their perfect stylish look. It doesn’t matter whether you chose suede or leather balances, expensive or cheap - any material requires careful care. So, how to wash a new balance in a washing machine and is it possible to do this without harm to them?
Preventive measures
First, let's discuss how to care for suede Adidas or Nike sneakers so as not to spend a huge amount of time on washing in the future! Agree, following simple recommendations will help save a lot of effort and extend the life of your favorite pair of sneakers:
- Do not wear shoes in rainy weather, avoid contact with water;
- At least 1-2 hours before going out, apply a special moisture-proof composition to the surface;
- Avoid products designed to protect leather products;
- Carry paper napkins with you to quickly blot up moisture or dirt;
- Clean your shoes from dust every day with a special brush;
- Be sure to store the pair in a fabric bag, in a ventilated box - choose a dry, warm place;
- Never dry the product near a heating source;
- Before starting care procedures, dry the item completely to avoid damage to the material.
We've sorted out the basic rules - now we can talk about how to wash suede sneakers at home!
Steam cleaning
You can clean suede sneakers at home using hot steam - it softens the lint, improves the appearance of the shoe, and allows you to remove creases. We recommend the following actions:
- Boil a kettle or pan of water or use a steam generator;
- Hold the product over the steam jet for 10-15 seconds;
- Gently comb the pile with a special suede brush to remove dirt;
- Wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
Here is a general article on how to clean suede shoes, check out these methods as well.
You can buy a special brush at a shoe store!
Ammonia
Ammonia will help you clean sneakers made of natural suede from dirt or oil traces at home! Remember the rules for preparing the solution:
- Mix ammonia with water in a ratio of one to four;
- Soak a cotton or gauze swab in the liquid;
- Gently wipe the damaged area and leave the steam to dry.
Learn how to properly wash sneakers in a washing machine here.
Ammonia can be replaced with regular alcohol - these products are used if it is necessary to remove complex stains.
Petrol
You can clean suede sneakers at home using gasoline - don’t be afraid of such radical measures! Ideal for getting rid of old stains of any origin:
- Soak a cotton pad in gasoline;
- Gently, without pressing, wipe the surface area;
- Sprinkle the wet area with talcum powder and leave for 10-15 minutes;
- Brush off any remaining powder with a dry brush.
Instead of talc, you can use baby powder or starch. How to properly clean salt or dirt stains on suede shoes at home? There are several options!
Coffee grounds
The grounds from a cup of coffee will help you clean suede sneakers from dirt at home - the drink can be not only tasty, but also healthy! The algorithm of actions is as simple as possible:
- Apply a little thickener to a sponge;
- Clean the stained area;
- Rinse off any remaining product with a slightly damp soft cloth.
An important point is that the coffee must be drunk recently; you won’t be able to clean suede sneakers with old grounds.
Laundry soap
You can wash suede sneakers at home with laundry soap - this proven product does an excellent job of removing stubborn stains:
- Rub the desired area with a bar of soap;
- Remove the remaining soap with a regular eraser so that there are no streaks left.
The second answer to the question of how to wash suede sneakers with laundry soap at home is to make a strong soap solution and wash off the dirt with a soft sponge. The remaining product should dry, then you can clean it off with a brush.
We discussed methods that are ideal for owners of dark-colored crosses. It's time to talk about how and with what to clean light suede sneakers!
Warnings
Manufacturers of shoes and shoe care products also warn about some safety rules and nuances that you need to know.
- Aerosol protectors are most often flammable. Therefore, before use, you should read the instructions on the package, and it is better to use the protector in a well-ventilated area.
- Crumpled newspaper is not the best option for shaping your sneakers. If there is moisture, the newspaper will absorb it, but wet ink can leave smudges.
- It is not recommended to use solvents for dry cleaning. Yes, they will definitely help in cleaning your sneakers, but they contain harsh, volatile chemicals that will stay around for a long time.
Choosing a brush for cleaning suede
It is better to clean suede sneakers with special brushes, with which you can quickly and effectively get rid of the most difficult stains.
There is a wide range of accessories made from different materials on sale:
- Universal brushes – made of artificial or natural hard bristles. They cope well with dirt and are suitable for cleaning heavily worn shoes.
- Crepe model - equipped with hard steel fibers located on the underside of the product, thanks to which you can easily remove dirty stains and dust. There are rubber strips on top. If you rub this area over erased stains, the material will again become velvety. There is also a nylon insert on the side of the brush, with which you can even out the pile.
- Double metal - one side of the brush is equipped with metal bristles located in the center of the product, on the other side there are natural bristles. Often used to clean old shoes that are heavily soiled.
- Triangular model - the product has rubber side ribs, the surface is covered with nylon pile, which includes brass. The back of the brush is equipped with rubber.
Important Tips
To prevent damage to your sneakers during manual or machine cleaning, you need to take into account the following recommendations:
- Light-colored shoes are washed separately from colored ones.
- It is recommended to load no more than 1-2 pairs of shoes into the machine. For gentle processing, you can throw unnecessary white fabric into the compartment. It will reduce the friction force between the shoes and the drum.
- If you can avoid machine washing, you should use it.
- Colored shoes should not be washed with a detergent for white fabrics.
After complete drying, the sneakers are treated with professional products that allow you to protect the shoes for a long time and avoid traumatic washing.