Yes, you can put Air Force Ones in the washing machine. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll come out unscathed. Pending whether your sneakers are made of synthetic or natural materials and the rest of your laundry load, putting your AF1s in the washer is risky business. Let’s get some things straight first: Putting your shoes in the washing machine will not ruin them forever. If you handle the process with care and follow these tips, you can even clean them faster than hand-washing them would take. However, there are risks involved with putting these shoes in the washing machine. You must use a delicate cycle never any other setting and only if they’re made from natural fibers such as cotton or wool. Even then, this process is risky and might not be worth it for every pair of sneakers.
Can you put air force ones in the washer?
Yes, you can put Air Force Ones in the washer. Just make sure to use a gentle cycle and cold water. You may also want to put them in a mesh bag to protect them from getting tangled with other items in the wash.
How To Wash Your Air Force Ones
Use a Laundry Bag
The first thing to do is to place your Air Force Ones in a laundry bag. This will prevent them from getting lost or damaged by other items in the wash. You can also use paper towels instead of a bag, but the latter is more effective when it comes to keeping your shoes intact and protecting them from harm.
Use Cold Water
Next, you’ll need to pour cold water into the washing machine and add detergent. Set the washer on a gentle cycle and let it go through its cycles as normal. Do not use hot water — even if your sneakers are dirty — as this could damage the material or cause them to shrink.
Use Shoe Cleaner
When you take your Air Force Ones out of the washer, make sure they’re completely dry before placing them in an area where they can air-dry for at least 24 hours before wearing again. If there are any stains that remain on your shoes after washing, you can use a shoe cleaner like Kiwi Cleaning Paste on those spots before allowing them to dry completely.
Dry Your Shoes in the Sun
If you want your shoes to look as good as new, you’ll need to let them air-dry in the sun for a few hours. This will help kill any bacteria that might have formed during the wash and leave your shoes looking fresh and clean.
Use a Shoe Brush
Finally, you’ll want to use a shoe brush to remove any lint or other debris that might have gotten inside your shoes during the wash. This will ensure that they stay clean and look good for a long time.
Re-Sole Your Sneakers
If you’ve been wearing your AF1s for some time, the rubber sole might be worn down. If this is the case, you should consider getting them re-soled by a professional cobbler. Having them resoled will keep your sneakers in good shape and ensure that they last as long as possible.
Air Force One Care Tips
Clean Air Force One Sneakers with a Toothbrush
The first step in cleaning your shoes is to remove any dirt and debris that has accumulated. The best tool for this job is a toothbrush. Use it to gently brush away dirt and grime. Pay special attention to the areas where your foot bends and flexes, such as the ankle, heel, and tongue area. Pay special attention to the areas where your foot bends and flexes, such as the ankle, heel, and tongue area.
Use a Sponge for Hard-to-Reach Places
You can use a sponge or soft rag to clean other areas of your shoe that you can’t get with a toothbrush or scrubbing brush. You can use either one — just make sure you choose one that’s soft enough not to scratch your shoes but still tough enough to get off stubborn stains like mud or grass stains from playing outside. Be careful not to rub too hard as you could cause damage or even break the shoe’s material if it’s too thin or delicate.
Clean Air Force One Sneakers with Rubbing Alcohol
While water alone will not clean every stain on your shoes (especially oil-based stains), rubbing alcohol will do the trick! Pour some rubbing alcohol into an empty spray bottle, then spray it on any oil-based stains you see on your sneakers — let it sit for about 30 seconds, then wipe off with a clean rag or sponge (it’s best to use a brand-new one each time you clean your shoes). The alcohol will break down the oil and dissolve it so you can easily wipe it off.
Moisturize Your Shoes with Vaseline
You can also use Vaseline to moisturize your shoes and keep them healthy. Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly on any areas that are dry or cracked to help heal them. It’s best not to put vaseline on the top of your shoes, though, because it could cause stains when you wear them again. Put a few drops of water in the area where you want to put vaseline so that the moisture will help it soak into your leather or suede shoes better and not just sit on top of it as a sticky mess!
Let Your Shoes Dry Out for Several Hours
After cleaning your Air Force One Sneakers, let them sit out for several hours before wearing them again. This gives them time to dry out completely, so they don’t get smelly or mildewy — which is especially important in warmer weather when bacteria love warm, wet environments! While you wait for them to dry, do other chores around the house, or even run errands if you have time!
Synthetic Materials
- Synthetic materials are the easiest to clean in the washing machine. Natural materials such as cotton, wool, and leather are made of fibers that can be damaged by the tumbling action of a washing machine. The friction between synthetic materials in your AF1s should be enough to get them clean, but you should always check with the manufacturer before you throw them in the washer.
- The laces are usually made of nylon or polyester and can easily withstand the washing machine’s agitation cycle. However, if they’re too dirty, wash them by hand first before putting them in with your shoes — otherwise, they might come out frayed or unraveled.
- You can also put your shoelaces in a small mesh laundry bag for protection during the wash cycle. If you don’t have one, line a mesh bag with a thin towel before adding your shoes and laces to it for extra protection from abrasion and snagging on other items inside your washer or dryer.
- Protect leather soles from damage by placing them inside a pair of rubber kitchen gloves; then place both items inside another pair of gloves for double protection (rubber gloves protect against heat). Then place both pairs inside another thin towel for good measure before throwing them into your washer on the delicate cycle with cold water and gentle detergent (a tiny bit goes a long way).
- After letting them air-dry naturally overnight (don’t use a dryer), brush off any remaining dirt inside the shoes with a soft-bristled shoe brush. If you don’t have one, use an old toothbrush to remove stubborn dirt.
Natural Materials
- Turn Air Force Ones inside out.
- Place them in a delicate cycle and add detergent to the wash.
- Set the washing machine’s water temperature to cold or warm (never hot) and use a gentle cycle.
- Wait for the sneakers to finish washing before you take them out of the machine, to avoid ripping them from the washer’s agitator.
- Once they’re out of the washer, lay them flat on a towel and allow them to air-dry overnight before wearing them again.
Conclusion
Air Force Ones are incredibly popular, and they are definitely a sneaker that has stood the test of time. You can put those classic sneakers in the washing machine, but make sure to follow the instructions on the tag and use a gentle cycle. It may be best to put a pair of sneakers that have a strong odor in a separate bag from your other clothing, though. If you follow these tips, you should be able to get your sneakers as clean as possible.