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If you are anything like me, then you might want to have your shoes clean at all times. But if you lead an ever-busy lifestyle, you might at times lack the time to handwash your favorite pair of shoes.
And at one time or the other, you might have wondered whether you can wash your Hey Dude shoes in the washer.
Most Hey Dudes are machine washable but some are not. So, how do you know which pair to throw in the washer and which not to? And, how do you machine wash them?
Well, that’s where this article comes in…
Today, I will be taking you through a step-by-step guide on how to wash Hey Dude shoes in washing machine.
How to wash Hey Dude shoes in washing machine – guide and tips
To start us off, not all Hey Dudes are machine washable… Hey Dude shoes made from suede, leather, and wool should not be washed using a washer.
As for Hey Dudes made from all other materials, you can machine wash them without having to worry about damaging them.
With that in mind, follow the steps below to machine wash your Hey Dude shoes…
Step 1: Wipe off the excess dirt
Using a toothbrush, gently scrub off any excess dirt or mud that might be on your shoes.
This is important since it prevents possible staining of your shoes and washing machine by the muddy water.
It also makes cleaning much easier and prevents clogging of the washing machine which can occur if you put muddy shoes in there.
Step 2: Remove the laces and insoles
If you have ever dealt with tangled shoelaces, then you can attest to how troublesome they can be when putting on your shoes.
So, to prevent the laces from tangling (as the shoes tumble around the washer), be sure to first remove them.
But, this does not mean you will hand wash the laces.
No.
Since laces are also machine washable, you can put them inside a delicates laundry bag (or pillowcase) and then throw them inside the washer.
Just remember to tie shut the pillowcase to prevent the laces from coming out.
You see, if they were to come out, they might drain with the water and end up blocking the washer’s drainage system.
As for the insoles, it is not advisable to wash them using the washer. This is because they are likely to lose their shape hence getting ruined.
So, it is best to wash the insoles by hand using soapy water.
Step 3: Put your shoes inside a pillowcase or mesh laundry
By doing so, you will be preventing possible damage to the shoes and washer that might result from the shoes being tumbled around.
Step 4: Throw some towels into the washer
Adding towels plays two major roles:
- Helps in balancing the washer.
- Prevents the shoes from banging around during tumbling.
So, be sure to throw in one or two towels.
Step 5: Washing the shoes
Now that you are set, put the shoes inside your washer.
Next, add some detergent (around one tablespoon of liquid detergent), and wash them on the delicates cycle with cold water.
Remember, do not use powder detergent as it might be too abrasive and as a result, damage your shoes.
Additionally, there’s a possibility of some powder detergent getting stuck inside your shoe and not dissolving fully.
The reason for using cold water is that warm/hot water might disfigure your shoes – they might shrink or warp.
Step 5: Drying the shoes
After taking the shoes out of the washer, proceed to air dry them in a well-ventilated area… Do not throw them inside your dryer! That’s a no-no!
I know you might be wondering why not?
You see, the heat from the dryer is too much for the shoes. And as such, it might end up damaging (and maybe shrinking) your Hey Dude shoes.
Also, Hey Dude advises to keep your shoes out of direct sunlight to avoid bleaching or damaging the shoe fabric.
How to wash Hey Dude shoes in washing machine – important tips
In addition to the above cleaning tips, below are some extra tips that you should take into consideration when machine washing your Hey Dudes…
Avoid using bleach and fabric softener
On one hand, bleach is an abrasive cleaner hence it will discolor and damage the look of your Hey Dudes.
On the other hand, fabric softeners are known to leave unsightly residue on shoes. So, also avoid them when cleaning your shoes.
Quickening the drying process
To reduce how long it takes your shoes to dry, consider putting some small towels inside the shoes.
The towels will absorb the excess water making your shoes dry a little bit faster.
After the shoes are dry
Once your shoes are dry, throw in a couple of silica gel sachets to absorb any extra moisture that might still be in there.
If you don’t have silica gel sachets, you can use tea bags as an alternative – just don’t put them while the shoes are still wet to avoid staining.
Absorbing this moisture will go a long way in preventing the shoes from stinking.
Can you put Hey Dudes in the washing machine?
Yes, you can.
However, not all Hey Dude shoes are machine washable.
To be more specific, Hey Dude shoes made using suede, leather, and wool materials are not machine washable.
As for Hey Dudes made from other materials, you can machine wash them without damaging them – simply follow the steps above.
Will Hey Dudes shrink in the dryer?
Yes.
The high temperatures in the dryer will most likely shrink your Hey Dude (or any shoes for that matter).
It is for this reason that it is not advisable to dry shoes using a dryer.
How to wash Hey Dude shoes in washing machine – parting words
That’s it!
Follow the above steps to leave your Hey Dude shoes all nice and clean.
Just remember:
- If they are made from Suede, wool, or leather, then they are not machine washable.
- Using a dryer to dry Hey Dude shoes is a NO.
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